If you’re a peanut butter lover (and let’s be honest, who isn’t?), then Peanut Butter Meltaways are about to become your new favorite treat. These little bite-sized gems are everything you’ve ever dreamed of in a peanut butter dessert: rich, creamy, and just the right balance of sweetness and saltiness. The best part? They practically melt in your mouth, leaving behind that smooth, peanut-buttery bliss we all crave. Whether you’re preparing for a holiday feast, a family gathering, or just need something sweet to indulge in, these meltaways are the perfect treat. Get ready, because these will disappear fast—and everyone will be asking for more!
Why You’ll Love Peanut Butter Meltaways
Here’s why these peanut butter meltaways are destined to be your new go-to sweet treat:
- Melt-in-Your-Mouth Texture: As the name suggests, these cookies practically melt on your tongue, offering the ultimate smooth texture.
- Peanut Butter Heaven: If you love peanut butter, you’ll be in heaven. These cookies are packed with that rich peanut butter flavor you can’t get enough of.
- Simple Ingredients: Made with just a handful of pantry staples, these meltaways are easy to make and require no special equipment.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether it’s for the holidays, a bake sale, or just a family snack, these meltaways are perfect for every occasion.
- Quick and Easy: With just a few simple steps, you can whip these up in no time—and they don’t require a lot of effort, so you can spend more time enjoying them!
Ingredients
Making these Peanut Butter Meltaways doesn’t require much. Here’s what you need to create these little pieces of peanut butter magic:
- Peanut Butter: The star of the show. Use creamy peanut butter for the smoothest meltaway experience.
- Powdered Sugar: Adds that perfect sweetness and helps give these treats their smooth, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Butter: Adds richness and ensures these cookies stay soft and decadent.
- Vanilla Extract: Just a hint of vanilla enhances the flavor of the peanut butter.
- All-Purpose Flour: The base for the meltaway dough, giving it the right structure while still allowing it to melt easily.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the flavor of the peanut butter.
(Note: Full ingredient measurements are provided in the recipe card above.)
Instructions
Making these Peanut Butter Meltaways is as easy as can be! Let’s jump right into the steps:
1. Prepare Your Baking Sheet
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This ensures your cookies won’t stick and makes for easy cleanup.
2. Mix the Dough
In a large mixing bowl, combine the peanut butter, softened butter, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, salt, and flour. Use a hand mixer or stand mixer to blend everything together until it forms a smooth, slightly sticky dough. It should come together easily but still be soft enough to roll.
3. Roll into Balls
Scoop out small portions of dough (about 1 tablespoon each) and roll them into balls using your hands. Arrange them on the prepared baking sheet, leaving a little space between each ball.
4. Flatten the Balls
Using the back of a fork or your fingers, gently flatten each dough ball into a thick disk. This gives the cookies their signature shape and helps them bake evenly.
5. Bake to Perfection
Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Don’t worry if they seem a little soft—these cookies are meant to be meltaways, so they’ll firm up as they cool.
6. Let Cool
Once baked, let the cookies cool on the sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. They’ll continue to set and cool to the perfect melt-in-your-mouth texture.
7. Serve and Enjoy
Serve these little meltaways as a treat for your family or guests, or keep them all to yourself (no judgment here!). They pair wonderfully with a glass of cold milk or a cup of coffee for the ultimate snack.
Nutrition Facts
Servings: [Number of servings]
Calories per serving: [Calorie count per serving]
How to Serve Peanut Butter Meltaways
These meltaways are delicious on their own, but here are a few ideas to make them even more special:
- With Milk or Coffee: Grab a glass of milk or a warm cup of coffee to complement these sweet, peanut butter-y bites. The combination is heavenly!
- As Part of a Dessert Table: Serve them on a dessert platter along with cookies, brownies, and other treats for a crowd-pleasing spread.
- Gift-Worthy: These meltaways make a great homemade gift! Pack them in a cute tin or jar with a ribbon for a thoughtful and delicious present.
- With a Dusting of Cocoa Powder: For a little extra flair, dust the top of the meltaways with a bit of cocoa powder or powdered sugar for an elegant touch.
Additional Tips
- Make-Ahead: You can prepare the dough ahead of time and refrigerate it for up to 2 days before baking. This will make your prep even quicker on baking day.
- Storage: Store leftover meltaways in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. You can also freeze them for up to 3 months.
- Customize the Flavor: If you want to change it up, try mixing in some mini chocolate chips, or drizzle the cooled meltaways with melted chocolate for an added treat!
FAQ Section
Q1: Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy?
A1: Yes! If you love the crunch, feel free to use crunchy peanut butter. It will add texture to the cookies, but the overall taste will be just as delicious.
Q2: Can I make these ahead of time?
A2: Absolutely! The dough can be made ahead and stored in the fridge for up to 2 days. You can also freeze the dough and bake the cookies later when you’re ready.
Q3: How should I store these cookies?
A3: Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. They can also be frozen for up to 3 months, making them a great make-ahead option for parties or gifts.
Q4: Can I add chocolate chips to the dough?
A4: Yes, you can add about ½ cup of mini chocolate chips to the dough for a delicious twist! The chocolate pairs wonderfully with the peanut butter flavor.
Q5: What should I do if the dough is too sticky?
A5: If your dough is too sticky to handle, you can chill it in the fridge for about 30 minutes before rolling it into balls. This will help the dough firm up and make it easier to shape.
Conclusion
Peanut Butter Meltaways are a simple, yet incredibly delicious treat that will satisfy your peanut butter cravings in the most delightful way. With their melt-in-your-mouth texture and rich peanut butter flavor, these cookies are perfect for any occasion. So, gather your ingredients, get baking, and let these meltaways bring a little extra sweetness to your day. Happy baking!
PrintPeanut Butter Meltaways
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 24–30 meltaways (depending on the size) 1x
Description
Peanut Butter Meltaways are irresistibly creamy, melt-in-your-mouth treats with a perfect balance of peanut butter and chocolate. These easy-to-make candies are perfect for holiday gifting or a sweet snack!
Ingredients
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups milk chocolate chips (or dark chocolate for a richer taste)
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil (for melting chocolate)
Instructions
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine the peanut butter and softened butter. Use an electric mixer or a spatula to blend until smooth and creamy.
- Gradually add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract to the peanut butter mixture, mixing until well combined. The dough should be soft and easy to roll into balls.
- Roll the peanut butter mixture into 1-inch balls and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Refrigerate the balls for at least 30 minutes to firm up.
- While the peanut butter balls are chilling, melt the milk chocolate chips with vegetable oil in a heatproof bowl over a double boiler or in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval until smooth and melted.
- Once the peanut butter balls are firm, dip each ball into the melted chocolate, coating it completely. Use a fork to remove the ball from the chocolate, allowing excess chocolate to drip off, and place the coated balls back onto the parchment paper.
- Return the chocolate-coated peanut butter meltaways to the refrigerator for 10-15 minutes, or until the chocolate has fully set.
- Serve the meltaways cold or at room temperature. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week.
Notes
- For a festive twist, you can add a pinch of sea salt on top of the chocolate coating for a sweet and salty flavor.
- If you prefer dark chocolate, substitute the milk chocolate chips with your favorite dark chocolate.
- These make great gifts! Package them in small boxes or bags for a homemade treat.
- You can use crunchy peanut butter for added texture if you like a bit of crunch in your meltaways.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Candy
- Method: Refrigerating, Dipping
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece
- Calories: 140
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 45mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 10mg