These by far are the most fun cookies I made! Not only because they are so darn cute but because my little helper, aka my 6 year old, helped me decorate them. They are easy to put together and are perfect to make with kids. The cookies itself are chocolate and peanut butter based. Super soft with delicious texture. Topped with candy coating and decorated with peanut butter cups, mini chocolate chips, and sprinkles.
I first came across the recipe on Pinterest and knew I had to place these in my 12 Days of Cookies rotation. The cookie recipe is a straightforward chocolate/peanut butter drop cookie recipe. There are no special tools or rolling pins involved. Making them a fun and easy cookie recipe to try with the kids!
I baked the cookies couple days in advance and decorated them over the weekend. So if you’re hosting a cookie decorating party for the kids, you can do the same. The frosting is simply melted vanilla-flavored candy melts. It was was my first time using candy melts and I’m in love! I picked up couple bags at my local Michaels Craft Store and guessing some grocery stores carry them as well. It’s a matter of melting the candy melts and spooning the coating onto the cookies. It does not get any easier than that!
Then the fun part comes. Decorating! I used two different size peanut butter cups to create the hat, mini chocolate chips for the eyes, and orange/red sprinkles for the nose. You can get as creative as you like with the decorating part and use whatever you have on hand.
- ½ cup shortening
- ½ cup peanut butter
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 tsp. baking powder
- ¼ tsp. salt
- 1 tsp. baking soda
- 1 egg
- 3 Tbsp. milk
- ½ tsp. vanilla
- ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1½ cup all-purpose flour
- 12 oz. bag vanilla-flavored candy melts
- Miniatures chocolate covered peanut butter cups, unwrapped and tops sliced off and halved
- Minis unwrapped chocolate covered peanut butter cups, halved
- Mini chocolate chips
- Orange, red, or brown sprinkles
- Preheat the oven to 350F.
- In a large bowl, beat shortening and peanut butter with hand held mixer on high speed. Add granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, salt, and baking soda. Beat until combined. Add egg, milk, and vanilla; beat until combined. Beat in cocoa powder and flour.
- Divide dough into two balls. With hands, roll out first ball into 13-inch roll. Cut into 10 even slices. Shape each slice into a ball and place 2-inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet. Repeat with the second dough half.
- Bake for 7 minutes. Remove the cookies from the oven and lightly flatten the tops of the cookies with a non-stick spatula. Place back in the oven and continue baking for additional 2-3 minutes. Cool completely on a wire rack.
- In a microwave safe bowl, microwave the candy melts for 2-3 minutes on high, stirring every 30 seconds or so until melted.
- Place the cooled cookies on a parchment lined cookie sheet; spoon the melted candy coating to resemble melting snow. Allow the coated cookies to sit for 2-3 minutes before decorating.
- Add peanut butter cups to resemble a hat, mini chocolate chips for the eyes, and sprinkles for the nose. Let stand until coating is set.
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I have six great grandchildren and if I count the step ones I have 16 and I love these cute cookies you have on your web page! Thank you for all the great ideas!!!!
Thank you and Merry Christmas,
Sue Whatley
You are one blessed woman Sue! That is so great that you are surrounded by so many little ones. Thank you for stopping by. Merry Christmas to you too!
I’m in love with your 12 days of cookies! These are too cute! Definitely trying them soon! Pinned!
Hi Mira! Thank you so much! These are probably my favorite cookies so far 🙂 Have a great day!
Katya, now I’m gonna have to do these with my boys this Christmas. Every year we do a bunch of Christmas cookies, and did you know there is a movie called “Frozen?” (wink) My boys are just as crazy over snowmen as girls are. These are a sure hit cookie. I just have to fold my hands together and NOT eat all the peanut butter cups 😉
Hi Amy! What an awesome idea! I didn’t even think about that they can resemble “Frozen” but I love that. I have a boy too and he is crazy about the movie as any girl would and his mama is a fan too 🙂 Have fun baking with the boys! Let me know how these turn out for you. Have a great day!
oooh how cute are those cookies… One of the most creative things I have seen this christmas! Can’t wait to make melted snowman 🙂
Thanks Claudia! I didn’t even think about it until one of my readers mentioned that they could be an Olaf from Frozen 🙂 I like that idea. Enjoy your baking. Let me know how they turn out !
These. Are. ADORABLE!!!!
Thanks girl! My son thought so too as he practically inhaled the whole batch 🙂