Loaded Peanut Butter Cookie Cake Recipe
If you’re a peanut butter lover like me, you’re in for a treat with this Loaded Peanut Butter Cookie Cake Recipe. Imagine a giant, soft peanut butter cookie packed with chunks of Reese’s Pieces, sprinkles, and those irresistible mini peanut butter cups baked right in! It’s the kind of dessert that feels like a celebration every time you make it. Stick around because I’ve got some tips and tricks to help you nail it perfectly – your kitchen is about to smell amazing.
Why This Recipe Works
- Perfect Peanut Butter Balance: Creamy peanut butter and melted butter create a soft, chewy base that’s rich but not greasy.
- Texture and Color Pops: Fall-themed sprinkles and Reese’s Pieces add fun colors and crunchy bursts to every bite.
- Built-In Goodies: Miniature peanut butter cups baked on top melt slightly for gooey pockets of extra peanut butter goodness.
- Easy One-Bowl Prep: The recipe uses a simple mixing method, so it’s perfect for whipping up on a weeknight or last-minute dessert craving.
Ingredients & Why They Work
The ingredients in this Loaded Peanut Butter Cookie Cake Recipe all come together to create that perfect nutty, chewy, and colorful cookie cake you just can’t stop eating. Each has its role, from the richness of butter to the fun mix-ins that make this dessert special. Here’s a little about why I choose each one.
- Unsalted Butter: Melting it helps combine flavors beautifully and keeps the texture soft and tender.
- Egg: Binds everything together, giving the cookie a cake-like but chewy texture.
- Light Brown Sugar: Adds moisture and a subtle caramel flavor that pairs brilliant with peanut butter.
- Vanilla Extract: Just a splash elevates the peanut butter, adding warmth and depth.
- Creamy Peanut Butter: The star of the show – creamy peanut butter blends perfectly into the batter for that classic flavor.
- All-Purpose Flour: Provides just the right structure without making the cookie tough.
- Salt: A pinch balances the sweetness and enhances the peanut flavor.
- Fall-Themed Sprinkles: Adds fun color and a touch of crunch. Chocolate jimmies work beautifully if you prefer less sweetness.
- Reese’s Pieces: Bring in bursts of chocolate and candy crunch throughout the cookie cake.
- Miniature Peanut Butter Cups: These go on top and melt slightly while baking, giving you those irresistible gooey bites.
Tweak to Your Taste
One of the best things about this Loaded Peanut Butter Cookie Cake Recipe is how easy it is to make your own. I’ve experimented quite a bit, and honestly, that’s part of the fun. Here are some ways I like to customize mine when I want something a little different or to suit dietary needs.
- Variation: I sometimes swap the Reese’s Pieces for dark chocolate chips for a richer, less sweet experience – totally delicious.
- Dairy-Free Option: Use dairy-free butter and a peanut butter brand without added milk products. The texture is just as satisfying.
- Crunch Factor: Adding chopped roasted peanuts in the batter gives an extra nutty crunch I crave sometimes.
- Festive Colors: Change sprinkles by season to match holidays – red and green for Christmas or pastels for spring.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Loaded Peanut Butter Cookie Cake Recipe
Step 1: Prep your pan and oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. Spray a 9-inch glass pie plate with cooking spray – I love using glass because it bakes evenly and lets you see how your cookie cake is doing on the sides. Set the pan aside while you mix the batter.
Step 2: Melt butter and combine wet ingredients
Pop the unsalted butter in a microwave-safe bowl and melt it on high for about 1 minute. Here’s a trick: Let it cool just a bit before adding the egg so you don’t end up scrambling it. Once cooled slightly, whisk in the egg, brown sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth. This mix is what makes the batter silky and rich.
Step 3: Add peanut butter and dry ingredients
Stir in the creamy peanut butter until fully combined – this gives the batter that unmistakable flavor. Then sprinkle in the flour and salt, stirring just until everything is mixed. Don’t overmix here; you want to keep the cookie tender, which means stopping as soon as the flour disappears.
Step 4: Fold in sprinkles and Reese’s Pieces
Now for the fun part: stir in the fall-themed sprinkles and Reese’s Pieces. These little pops of color and candy surprise add so much character and just a bit of crunch to the cookie cake.
Step 5: Assemble and bake
Dump the batter into your prepared pie plate and smooth the top with a spatula. Space out the miniature peanut butter cups evenly on top, pressing them gently so they sit flush with the batter – they’ll melt beautifully during baking. Scatter a few extra Reese’s Pieces on top for a pretty finish, pressing lightly to keep them from falling off.
Bake for about 26 to 29 minutes. The center should be set but still a little soft, and a toothpick inserted should come out clean or with just a few moist crumbs. Let the pan cool on a wire rack for at least 30 minutes before slicing – patience here really pays off!
Pro Tips for Making Loaded Peanut Butter Cookie Cake Recipe
- Let Butter Cool Slightly: I’ve learned that adding the egg to very hot melted butter scrambles it, so always let it rest a minute.
- Don’t Overmix the Batter: Stir just until combined to avoid a tough cookie cake; it should feel dense but soft.
- Use Fresh Sprinkles and Candy: Old sprinkles tend to lose color and texture, so I always buy fresh for the best look and crunch.
- Evenly Space Peanut Butter Cups: Pressing them flush prevents them from popping out or creating uneven bake zones.
How to Serve Loaded Peanut Butter Cookie Cake Recipe
Garnishes
I usually keep garnishes simple because the cookie cake is packed with goodies already. A light dusting of powdered sugar can make it feel a little fancier, and if I’m serving it to peanut butter aficionados, a drizzle of melted chocolate or peanut butter on top always scores extra points.
Side Dishes
This cookie cake is a dessert centerpiece on its own, but I love pairing it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream – both add a lovely contrast to the dense richness. A hot cup of coffee or milk is also my go-to to balance all that sweetness.
Creative Ways to Present
For birthdays or parties, I sometimes place this peanut butter cookie cake on a festive cake stand and garnish with extra candy clusters arranged in a circle on top. Little flags or peanut-shaped toothpicks make it feel playful and personalized. You can even cut it into bars for easy serving at potlucks or picnics.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I usually let the cookie cake cool completely, then cover it tightly with plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container at room temperature. It stays fresh and soft for up to a week—perfect if you want to enjoy a slice slowly or share with friends over several days.
Freezing
This recipe freezes surprisingly well. I slice the cookie cake into portions and wrap each piece tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. When I want a treat, I thaw a slice overnight in the fridge — still delicious and moist.
Reheating
To warm leftovers, I pop a slice in the microwave for about 15 seconds or into a low oven (around 300°F) for 5-7 minutes. It’s best with a little scoop of ice cream because the cookie cake softens and the peanut butter cups get that melty, irresistible texture.
FAQs
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Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy?
Absolutely! Using crunchy peanut butter adds a nice extra texture inside the cookie cake. Just be aware it can slightly alter the smoothness of the batter, but I love the added nutty crunch it brings.
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Why is my cookie cake crumbly after baking?
This usually happens when the batter is overmixed or there isn’t enough moisture. Be sure to stir the flour in just until combined and don’t skip the brown sugar and butter, as they add the necessary moisture and chewiness.
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Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
You can! Substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend. I suggest one with xanthan gum already added for best texture. The cookie cake will still taste amazing.
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What’s the best way to slice this cookie cake?
Use a sharp serrated knife, and slice after the cookie cake has fully cooled. Wiping the knife clean between cuts helps keep slices neat and prevents sticking.
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Can I double this recipe for a bigger cake?
You can double the ingredients, but I recommend baking in two separate pans to ensure even baking and proper texture. Larger thickness can lead to underbaking in the center.
Final Thoughts
This Loaded Peanut Butter Cookie Cake Recipe really feels like a hug in dessert form. Every time I bake it, I’m reminded how simple ingredients can come together to make something so joyful and comforting. Once you try it, I bet you’ll be sharing it with friends and family just like I do—because honestly, it’s that good. Go on, give it a whirl in your kitchen; you’ll thank yourself later!
PrintLoaded Peanut Butter Cookie Cake Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 29 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Loaded Peanut Butter Cookie Cake is a decadent dessert featuring creamy peanut butter, brown sugar, and festive sprinkles, loaded with Reese’s Pieces and miniature peanut butter cups. Baked in a 9-inch pie plate, it’s perfect for sharing and guaranteed to satisfy peanut butter lovers.
Ingredients
Cookie Batter
- ½ cup unsalted butter, 1 stick, melted
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- Heaping 1/3 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt, or to taste
- ½ cup brown and orange fall-themed sprinkles (substitute with chocolate jimmies)
- ½ cup Reese’s Pieces
Topping
- About 10 to 12 miniature peanut butter cups, unwrapped
- 1 to 2 tablespoons extra Reese’s Pieces for sprinkling
Instructions
- Preheat oven and prepare pan. Preheat your oven to 350°F and spray a 9-inch glass pie plate with cooking spray; set aside to ensure your cookie cake doesn’t stick.
- Melt butter. In a large microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter on high power for about 1 minute, ensuring it’s fully liquid but not browned.
- Add egg and sugar mixture. Let the melted butter cool briefly to avoid scrambling the egg. Then add the egg, brown sugar, and vanilla extract to the bowl and whisk until smooth and combined.
- Incorporate peanut butter. Stir the creamy peanut butter into the wet mixture until fully blended.
- Add dry ingredients. Add the all-purpose flour and salt to the wet ingredients, stirring gently until just combined to prevent overmixing.
- Mix in sprinkles and Reese’s Pieces. Fold in the brown and orange sprinkles along with the ½ cup of Reese’s Pieces to add texture and festive color.
- Transfer batter to pan and add toppings. Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pie plate, smoothing the top lightly with a spatula. Arrange the unwrapped miniature peanut butter cups evenly across the surface, pressing them down so they sit flush with the dough.
- Add extra Reese’s Pieces. Sprinkle 1 to 2 tablespoons of additional Reese’s Pieces over the top for decoration, lightly tapping them down so they stay in place.
- Bake the cookie cake. Place the pie plate in the oven and bake for 29 minutes, or until the center is set and a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs but no wet batter.
- Cool before serving. Remove from oven and allow the cookie cake to cool on a wire rack for at least 30 minutes before slicing and serving to ensure the texture sets properly.
Notes
- Storage: Store the cookie cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
- Substitution: Use chocolate jimmies instead of fall-themed sprinkles if desired or for a different seasonal look.
- Pan type: A glass pie plate is recommended for even baking, but a metal 9-inch round pan can be used as well.
- Do not overmix the batter once flour is added to keep the cookie cake tender.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 25 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg