Name: Peanut Butter Christmas Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 1 h 2 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1¼ cups all-purpose flour sifted; ½ teaspoon baking powder; ½ teaspoon baking soda; ½ teaspoon kosher salt; ½ cup unsalted butter room temperature; ½ cup creamy peanut butter; ½ cup granulated sugar; ½ cup light brown sugar packed; 1 large egg room temperature; ½ teaspoon vanilla extract; 2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips; 2 teaspoon coconut or vegetable oil; 3 tablespoons holiday sprinkles

There’s something downright magical about the smell of freshly baked peanut butter cookies with just a hint of festive cheer. This Peanut Butter Christmas Cookies Recipe brings that warm, cozy feeling straight into your kitchen, layering peanut buttery goodness with chocolate and festive sprinkles for a holiday treat that's hard to resist.

The image shows several round, light brown cookies with a rough texture arranged closely on a white marbled surface. Each cookie is half covered with smooth, dark chocolate on top, and the chocolate is decorated with colorful sprinkles in red, white, green, and yellow. Some sprinkles are round flat dots, while others are small sticks. The cookies overlap slightly, and some crumbs are scattered around them. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Peanut Butter Christmas Cookies Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Peanut Butter Christmas Cookies Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Peanut Butter Christmas Cookies Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Making these peanut butter Christmas cookies has become a holiday ritual in my house. I love how they deliver classic flavors with a festive twist anyone can get behind. Plus, they're super easy to customize, which is perfect when you want something a little special without fuss.

Simplicity: The ingredients are pantry staples and come together quickly, making it ideal for last-minute baking sessions.
Flavor Combo: The rich peanut butter paired with semi-sweet chocolate chips and a touch of vanilla is equally nostalgic and fresh.
Festive Fun: Adding holiday sprinkles on the chocolate-dipped cookies gives them that perfect festive look and texture crunch.
Perfect for Sharing: These cookies keep well and freeze beautifully, so you can make a big batch for gatherings or gifts with ease.

The image shows a wooden square plate filled with ten round cookies arranged randomly. Each cookie is half dipped in dark brown chocolate on one side, topped with colorful festive sprinkles in red, green, yellow, and white. The cookies have a light golden brown color with a slightly crisscross textured surface on the plain side. The plate sits on a white marbled surface, and there is a plaid cloth with red, green, and white colors at the bottom right corner of the image. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

This recipe balances the creamy softness of peanut butter with the sweetness of sugars and the richness of butter, all held together by a tender wheat-flour base enhanced by a bit of baking powder and soda. Plus, that dash of salt gives it a well-rounded flavor profile you’ll notice with each bite.

Flat lay of a small mound of sifted all-purpose flour on a simple white ceramic plate, a small white bowl with fine light brown sugar, a small white bowl with granulated sugar, a smooth half cup of unsalted butter in a neat slab on a white ceramic dish, a dollop of creamy peanut butter on a white plate, a single large whole egg with clean shell resting on the white surface, a few semi-sweet chocolate chips scattered on a small white ceramic bowl, a tiny white bowl containing clear coconut oil, a small white bowl filled with colorful holiday sprinkles, all arranged with perfect symmetry and balanced proportions, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

All-purpose flour: Provides structure without weighing the cookies down – I always sift it for a lighter texture.
Baking powder and baking soda: Help the cookies rise just enough so they’re fluffy but still chewy.
Kosher salt: Balances sweetness and enhances the peanut butter flavor – don’t skip it!
Unsalted butter: Softened butter adds richness and tenderness; I prefer unsalted so I can control seasoning.
Creamy peanut butter: The star of the show, its smoothness makes the cookie luscious and moist.
Granulated sugar and light brown sugar: A mix of sugars which ensures a perfect crisp edge and moist center.
Large egg: Binds ingredients and adds moisture to keep the cookie soft.
Vanilla extract: Brings warmth and depth to the buttery, nutty flavors.
Semi-sweet chocolate chips: Melting these coats half the cookie with a rich, indulgent layer of chocolate.
Coconut or vegetable oil: Mixed into the chocolate for smooth, glossy coating that sets beautifully.
Holiday sprinkles: The festive crunch and color that make these cookies holiday-ready — personal favorites include red and green nonpareils.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the things that makes this Peanut Butter Christmas Cookies Recipe so fun is how easy it is to tweak. I’ve tried a few variations over the years and loved discovering little tweaks that bring big flavor changes. You can totally personalize the recipe to match your holiday vibe or dietary needs.

Peanut Crunch Variation: I like sprinkling crushed peanuts on top of the chocolate-dipped side before the sprinkles go on. It adds a lovely salty crunch that punches up the peanut flavor and texture.
Festive Candy Swap: Instead of sprinkles, try topping the chocolate with miniature M&Ms for colorful bursts of chocolate crunch—my kids adore this version.
Salted Chocolate Boost: If you fancy balancing sweet with salty, a light sprinkle of flaky sea salt on the chocolate layer can be surprisingly addictive.
Chocolate Variety Tips: Using milk chocolate instead of semi-sweet gives a creamier, sweeter finish, while dark chocolate brings a rich bittersweet twist.
Holiday Neutral: Swap Christmas sprinkles for Valentine’s hearts, Easter pastels, or Halloween orange and black to make these cookies perfect year-round.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Peanut Butter Christmas Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Prep and Combine Dry Ingredients

Start by preheating your oven to 375°F and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper. Whisk together the sifted all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and kosher salt in a medium bowl. Sifting ensures that your dry ingredients mix evenly and your cookies bake up lighter without lumps.

Step 2: Cream Butters and Sugars

In a large bowl or your stand mixer with the paddle attachment, beat together the room temperature unsalted butter, creamy peanut butter, granulated sugar, and light brown sugar. I usually mix on medium speed until everything turns smooth and has a slight sheen—this usually takes about 2-3 minutes. It’s key for a soft, tender crumb.

Step 3: Add Egg and Vanilla

Break the egg into the bowl and pour in the vanilla extract. Continue mixing until the batter is light and fluffy. The egg adds moisture and helps bind the dough, while the vanilla perks up the flavors beautifully.

Step 4: Incorporate Dry Ingredients

Slowly mix in your dry ingredients. Don't rush this part—doing it gradually helps keep the dough uniform and avoids overmixing, which can make cookies tough. Scrap down the bowl sides as needed so everything gets well blended.

Step 5: Shape and Flatten

Using a medium cookie scoop, portion out the dough onto your prepared baking sheet. Make sure to space them about 2 inches apart because these cookies spread a bit. Then gently press each dough ball down with a fork in a crisscross pattern—two presses per cookie—just enough to flatten them without losing their round shape.

Step 6: Bake and Cool

Bake the cookies for 10 to 12 minutes, until the edges are set but the centers still look slightly soft. They’ll finish cooking once out of the oven, so avoid overbaking. Transfer the cookies to a cooling rack and let them cool completely before moving on.

Step 7: Melt Chocolate and Dip

In a small bowl, melt the chocolate chips in the microwave in 1-minute bursts, stirring after each. Then stir in the coconut or vegetable oil until you have a silky smooth chocolate glaze. Dip each cookie halfway into the chocolate, then place it back on parchment paper and sprinkle your holiday decorations on top. Set aside for about an hour so the chocolate can fully harden.

Top Tip

After baking these cookies a dozen times, I’ve picked up a few insider tips to help make sure your Peanut Butter Christmas Cookies Recipe turns out just right every time.

Perfect Dough Consistency: Make sure your butter and peanut butter are at room temperature so they cream smoothly with the sugars for even baking.
Don’t Skip Sifting: Sifting your flour and leavening agents helps avoid clumps and gives you that soft, tender texture instead of a dense cookie.
Fork Press Pressure: Use a light touch when doing the crisscross fork press to keep cookie shape pretty while helping them bake flat and uniformly.
Cool Completely Before Dipping: Melting chocolate will seize or get lumpy if cookies are even slightly warm, so always wait until they’re fully cooled.

How to Serve Peanut Butter Christmas Cookies Recipe

peanut butter cookies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love using festive red and green sprinkles because they add that classic holiday pop of color. Sometimes I mix in edible glitter for a little sparkle. Topping the chocolate-dipped edge with crushed peanuts gives the cookies a nice salty crunch, which balances the sweetness perfectly.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair wonderfully with a hot cup of cocoa or a glass of cold milk. For holiday parties, I like serving them alongside soft gingerbread or spiced fruitcake to offer contrasting flavors and textures.

Creative Ways to Present

A cookie platter with these peanut butter Christmas cookies sprinkled on a bed of pine needles or wrapped evergreen sprigs creates a festive centerpiece. For gifts, I bundle them in clear cellophane bags tied with twine and a cinnamon stick for an aromatic touch everyone appreciates.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature — they stay fresh for about a week without losing that fresh-baked softness and chocolate snap.

Freezing

These cookies freeze like a dream! I usually freeze the fully baked and cooled cookies in airtight containers layered with parchment paper to prevent sticking. They keep well for up to 3 months, which means you can enjoy fresh-tasting treats long after the holidays.

Reheating

If you want to enjoy your frozen cookies warm, take them out of the freezer and let them thaw for 10 minutes, then pop them in the microwave for 10-15 seconds. The chocolate softens beautifully, and the cookie warms just enough to bring out fragrant peanut butter aroma.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy in this Peanut Butter Christmas Cookies Recipe?

Yes! Crunchy peanut butter will add a lovely texture with little peanut pieces inside the cookies. Just keep in mind it may affect how smooth your dough is when mixing, but the flavor is just as wonderful.

What can I substitute for the chocolate chips if I don’t have any?

You can use melting wafers or even chopped chocolate bars as a substitute. Melting wafers are especially convenient for dipping because they melt smoothly and set nicely. Just add a bit of oil for a glossy finish.

Can I make these cookies gluten-free?

Absolutely. You can swap the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free blend that’s suitable for baking. Make sure it contains xanthan gum or another binder to maintain texture. Keep an eye on baking time, as it might vary slightly.

Is it okay to skip the chocolate dip and sprinkles?

Definitely! These peanut butter cookies are delicious on their own. The chocolate and sprinkles just add a festive and decadent touch. If you prefer a simpler version, bake and enjoy them plain or with just a light dusting of powdered sugar.

Final Thoughts

This Peanut Butter Christmas Cookies Recipe is more than just a holiday treat — it’s a cozy, hands-in-the-flour experience that brings a little extra joy (and chocolate!) into your festivities. I hope you give these a go and find as much comfort and happiness in baking and sharing them as I have. Trust me, once you taste that perfect peanut butter and chocolate harmony topped with joyful sprinkles, you’ll be reaching for this recipe every season.