There’s something utterly charming—and downright delicious—about these little treats. The Chocolate Peanut Butter Penguin Cookies Recipe combines a handful of simple ingredients into cute, festive cookies that always bring a smile. Trust me, once you try these, they quickly become a favorite for any gathering or cozy snack time.

The image shows a white plate filled with small penguin-shaped chocolate treats. Each treat has a smooth dark chocolate oval base with two white round candy eyes near the top. In the center is a round beige cookie acting as the penguin's belly. Below the belly, three small orange candy pieces serve as the penguin's feet, and one orange candy piece is placed above the belly for the beak. Two small round chocolate pieces are placed on the sides for the penguin's wings. The background is a white marbled surface, with some candies and a woman's hand holding a penguin treat visible near the plate. 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 Chocolate Peanut Butter Penguin Cookies Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Chocolate Peanut Butter Penguin Cookies Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Chocolate Peanut Butter Penguin Cookies Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I can't tell you how many times I've made these penguin cookies for holiday parties or just casual hangouts. Not only do they taste incredible, but their adorable look also makes them a conversation starter. Plus, you don’t have to be a pro baker to get them just right—so many of us can easily nail this recipe!

Easy Assembly: Minimal baking skills required, mostly dipping and decorating.
Perfect Flavor Combo: That classic peanut butter and chocolate duo that always satisfies.
Visually Fun: They look like little penguins, making them perfect for parties and kid-friendly events.
Great Make-Ahead Treat: You can prepare them in advance and they keep well in the fridge or freezer.

The image shows many oval-shaped treats that look like little birds. Each treat has a smooth dark brown chocolate layer covering the whole top, forming the bird’s body. On the center of each bird is a round, light brown cookie acting as the bird’s belly. Two small white round candies with black dots are placed on the top part to make the eyes. An orange oval candy is used as the beak right under the eyes. At the bottom of each bird, two more orange oval candies are placed side by side to look like feet. On each side of the body, two dark brown oval candies show the wings. All the treats are placed close together on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

This recipe brilliantly blends a few crowd-pleasing ingredients to create a flavor and texture trifecta. Each element plays a role, from the crunchy base to the creamy, rich coating. Here’s a little rundown to help you shop smart and understand why each piece is essential.

Flat lay of a small white ceramic bowl filled with glossy dark chocolate chips, a small white ceramic bowl of smooth creamy peanut butter, a small white ceramic bowl containing salted butter cubes, a neat stack of whole Nutter Butter cookies with their embossed peanut shape visible, a small white ceramic bowl of Mini Nilla Wafers, a small white ceramic bowl holding whole brown Reese’s pieces, a small white ceramic bowl with halved bright orange Reese’s pieces showing their creamy filling, and a small white ceramic bowl filled with candy eyes, all arranged in 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

Dark chocolate chips: They melt smoothly and have just the right balance of sweetness and depth to complement peanut butter.
Creamy peanut butter: Adds richness and that iconic flavor that pairs beautifully with chocolate.
Salted butter: The salt enhances the overall taste and helps create a glossy chocolate coating.
Nutter Butter cookies: These are the “body” of the penguin—crispy, peanut buttery, and perfect for dipping.
Mini Nilla Wafers: The little “stomach” patch adds texture and visual charm.
Brown Reese’s pieces: Used as penguin wings—great size and color.
Orange Reese’s pieces (halved): The bright orange halves form the beak and feet—adding cute detail.
Candy eyes: These bring the penguins to life with adorable expressions.

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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

What I really love about the Chocolate Peanut Butter Penguin Cookies Recipe is how easy it is to make your own spin on it. Sometimes I swap in different candy eyes or sneak a pinch of cinnamon into the chocolate mix for a tiny warmth. You can also play with peanut butter types or chocolate blends to fit what you have on hand.

Variation: Once, I used white chocolate chips instead of dark chocolate, and the result was creamy and fun—especially for a winter-themed party.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Chocolate Peanut Butter Penguin Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Melt the Magic

Start by combining your dark chocolate chips, creamy peanut butter, and salted butter in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for 30 seconds, then stir well. Keep heating in 10-15 second bursts, stirring between each, until the mixture is smooth and silky. The key here is patience—chocolate can burn easily, so don’t rush. Stirring often helps it melt evenly without scorching.

Step 2: Dip Your Penguins

Grab a Nutter Butter cookie and dip it completely into the chocolate mixture. Use a fork underneath to gently shake off excess chocolate so it’s not dripping everywhere. Place the dipped cookie carefully on a wire rack or parchment-lined board. This forms the “body” and chocolate coating we all adore.

Step 3: Add the Details

Layer on personality by pressing a mini Nilla wafer in the center bottom of the cookie—it’s the penguin’s belly patch. Then, place two candy eyes at the top half, and a halved orange Reese’s piece (cut side down) right in the middle as the beak. Use two more halved orange Reese’s pieces below horizontally for the feet, and brown Reese’s pieces on each side just below the cookie’s indent for wings. It’s like building a little chocolate peanut butter work of art.

Step 4: Chill and Set

Pop the whole tray into the refrigerator and let your penguins set for at least 3 hours or overnight. I’ve learned that chilling them thoroughly helps the chocolate firm up perfectly, making the cookies easier to handle and eat.

Top Tip

From my experience, prepping all your decorating ingredients before you start saves so much stress, especially when managing melted chocolate. These little details ensure the dipping and decorating go smoothly.

Organize Your Candy: Separate your brown and orange Reese’s pieces first, and don’t forget to cut the orange ones ahead of time. Having extras ready is a total lifesaver.
Prepare the Eyes Early: Opening the candy eyes before the dip step keeps your workflow steady, so you’re not fumbling mid-process.
Gentle Handling: Using a fork to lift the dipped cookies lets the extra chocolate drip off without losing any coating.
Chill Properly: Don’t rush the refrigeration step. Setting overnight guarantees firmer chocolate and better handleability.

How to Serve Chocolate Peanut Butter Penguin Cookies Recipe

chocolate peanut butter cookies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually keep it simple, letting the penguins shine on their own. But adding a dusting of powdered sugar or a tiny sprig of mint beside each cookie adds a festive, wintry look. If it’s a kids’ party, a small dollop of whipped cream nearby is a fun touch.

Side Dishes

These cookies go great with a cold glass of milk or a warm cup of hot cocoa. For gatherings, I like to serve them alongside simple fruit platters or lightly salted nuts to balance out the sweetness.

Creative Ways to Present

I once lined a tray with faux snow (cotton batting) and stood the penguins in it, turning the whole display into a snowy scene. Another time, I placed them on mini chocolate bars as “icebergs” for a playful look that kids absolutely loved.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store these penguins in an airtight container in the refrigerator, which keeps them fresh for about a week. They do soften a bit if left out at room temperature too long, so I recommend refrigeration for the best shape and texture.

Freezing

Freezing works wonderfully if you want to stash some for later. I tuck the cookies in a single layer inside a freezer-safe container with parchment between layers. Thaw overnight in the fridge before serving to keep them from getting too soft.

Reheating

No need to warm these up; chilling is really what brings out their best texture. However, if you prefer them softer, just bring them to room temp for 20-30 minutes before enjoying. Just be mindful, the chocolate can get a little melty, so handle carefully.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use peanut butter alternatives in this recipe?

Absolutely! If you’re allergic or prefer a different flavor, almond butter or sunflower seed butter can work as well. Just keep it creamy for easier melting and dipping.

How long do Chocolate Peanut Butter Penguin Cookies last?

Stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, these cookies will stay fresh for up to one week. Freezing extends their life to about six months when properly wrapped.

Can children help make these penguin cookies?

Definitely! The assembly part—decorating the cookies with eyes, beaks, and wings—is especially fun for kids. Just watch out during the dipping step since the chocolate is hot.

What’s the best way to avoid messy chocolate when eating these?

Serving them chilled helps the chocolate stay firm, reducing mess. At room temperature, the chocolate softens, so just be prepared for a bit of smudging on your fingers—it’s part of the fun!

Final Thoughts

This Chocolate Peanut Butter Penguin Cookies Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen—it’s the kind of treat that makes any moment a little brighter. Whether you’re sharing with family or sneaking a few for yourself, these cookies are as fun to make as they are to eat. I wholeheartedly recommend giving them a try; you might just find your new favorite homemade sweet!