Chocolate Peanut Butter Ritz Cookies Recipe

The Ultimate Chocolate Peanut Butter Ritz Cookies Recipe Everyone Loves

Whipping up a batch of delectable chocolate peanut butter ritz cookies can turn an ordinary afternoon into a delightful indulgence.

Sweet meets salty in this irresistible treat that combines classic flavors.

Crisp ritz crackers serve as the perfect base for a creamy, nutty spread.

Rich chocolate coating adds a luxurious finish to these simple yet elegant bites.

Each cookie promises a symphony of textures that dance across your palate.

Neighbors and colleagues will beg you for the secret recipe after just one taste.

Grab an apron and let’s create something magical that’ll have everyone asking for seconds.

Why These Ritz Cookies Are Sweet And Satisfying

  • Simplify Sweet Treat: Minimal ingredients and basic kitchen tools make this recipe a breeze for home bakers of all skill levels.
  • Crowd-Pleasing Comfort: Classic chocolate and peanut butter combination guarantees instant popularity with kids and adults, perfect for potlucks or family gatherings.
  • Customizable Creativity: Experiment with different chocolate types or add sprinkles for personalized decoration, making each batch unique and fun.
  • No-Bake Delight: Skip the oven and enjoy a stress-free dessert preparation that requires minimal cooking skills and delivers maximum flavor.

What Goes Into Chocolate Peanut Butter Ritz Cookies

Base Ingredients:
  • Ritz Crackers: Classic buttery crackers that serve as the crispy foundation for these delightful sandwich cookies.
  • Peanut Butter: Creamy spread that provides a rich and nutty filling for the cookie sandwiches.
  • Butter: Softened dairy product that helps create a smooth and spreadable filling mixture.
Sweetening Ingredients:
  • Powdered Sugar: Fine sugar that adds sweetness and helps bind the peanut butter filling.
  • Vanilla Extract: Aromatic flavoring that enhances the overall taste of the cookie filling.
Coating and Binding Ingredients:
  • Chocolate Chips, Vegetable Shortening: Essential combination that creates a smooth, glossy chocolate coating for dipping the cookie sandwiches.
Additional Ingredients:
  • Salt: Subtle seasoning that balances and elevates the sweet flavors of the cookies.

How To Make Ritz Cookies With Minimal Effort

Step 1: Whip Up Peanut Butter Filling

In a mixing bowl, combine softened butter, creamy peanut butter, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Mix until the ingredients transform into a smooth, dreamy mixture that looks like pure comfort.

Step 2: Create Cracker Sandwiches

Grab your Ritz crackers and spread a generous layer of the peanut butter mixture onto half of the crackers. Top each one with another cracker, creating delightful little sandwiches that promise pure deliciousness.

Step 3: Chill and Set

Pop these cookie sandwiches into the refrigerator for 15 minutes. This quick chill helps the filling firm up and makes the next steps easier.

Step 4: Prepare Chocolate Coating

In a microwave-safe bowl, melt chocolate chips and vegetable shortening. Stir gently every 30 seconds until the mixture becomes silky smooth and glossy. The chocolate should look like liquid gold.

Step 5: Dunk and Coat

Take the chilled cookie sandwiches out of the refrigerator. Carefully dip each sandwich into the melted chocolate, ensuring every inch gets a luxurious chocolate bath. Gently tap off any excess chocolate.

Step 6: Let Chocolate Set

Place the chocolate-covered cookies onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Allow them to rest at room temperature for 20-30 minutes, or speed up the process by chilling in the refrigerator for 10 minutes.

Step 7: Store and Serve

Once the chocolate has completely hardened, transfer the cookies to an airtight container. These treats are perfect when served chilled or at room temperature, ready to satisfy your sweet and salty cravings.

  • Chill Before Dipping: Refrigerate cookie sandwiches for 15 minutes to help chocolate coating adhere smoothly and prevent filling from melting.
  • Control Chocolate Consistency: Stir chocolate chips and shortening every 30 seconds while melting to achieve a glossy, perfectly smooth dipping texture.
  • Tap Excess Chocolate: Gently tap dipped cookies on bowl's edge to remove dripping chocolate, creating a clean, even coating without messy edges.
  • Store Smartly: Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-5 days or refrigerate for extended freshness and firmer texture.
  • Customize Toppings: Sprinkle crushed peanuts, sea salt, or drizzle white chocolate over dipped cookies for added crunch and visual appeal.

Flavor Twists For Ritz Cookies You Can’t Miss

  • Holiday Crunch: Sprinkle crushed candy canes or festive holiday sprinkles over chocolate coating for a seasonal flair.
  • Nutty Caramel Swirl: Drizzle caramel sauce over chocolate-dipped cookies and sprinkle chopped roasted almonds for extra crunch.
  • Dark Chocolate Sea Salt: Use dark chocolate for coating and finish with a light pinch of flaky sea salt to enhance flavor complexity.
  • White Chocolate Coconut: Coat cookies in melted white chocolate and immediately dust with toasted coconut flakes for tropical touch.

What Goes Well With These Indulgent Cookies

  • Indulge in Delightful Pairings
  • Creamy Milk Shake Magic: Blend a classic vanilla or chocolate milkshake that complements the rich chocolate and peanut butter flavors, creating a smooth and decadent dessert experience.
  • Wine Wonderland: Select a sweet port wine or dessert Riesling that balances the cookies' sweetness, offering a sophisticated adult treat with complementary flavor notes.
  • Coffee Companion: Brew a bold espresso or smooth cold brew coffee that cuts through the cookie's richness, providing a perfect contrast and enhancing the chocolate-peanut butter combination.
  • Nutty Accompaniment: Serve with roasted almonds or pecans to add a crunchy texture that elevates the overall tasting experience and introduces additional nutty undertones.

Best Storage Methods For Ritz Cookies

  • Keep cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
  • Wrap individual cookies in plastic wrap, place in freezer-safe container, and store up to 3 months for longer preservation.
  • Store in sealed container away from direct sunlight and heat, consuming within 2-3 days for optimal texture and flavor.
  • Place cookies in a cool, dry area with consistent temperature to maintain chocolate coating's integrity and prevent melting.

Your Questions On Ritz Cookies—Answered

  • Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of smooth?

Yes, crunchy peanut butter works perfectly and adds extra texture to the cookie sandwiches.

  • How do I prevent the chocolate from cracking when dipping?

Ensure the cookie sandwiches are thoroughly chilled before dipping, and let excess chocolate drip off gently to maintain a smooth coating.

  • What type of chocolate works best for dipping?

Semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips are ideal, but you can also use dark chocolate for a richer flavor profile.

  • Can I make these cookies ahead of time?

Absolutely! These cookies can be prepared up to 3 days in advance and stored in the refrigerator, maintaining their delicious taste and texture.

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Chocolate Peanut Butter Ritz Cookies Recipe

Chocolate Peanut Butter Ritz Cookies Recipe


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4.6 from 26 reviews

  • Total Time: 35-45 minutes
  • Yield: 12 1x

Description

Sweet chocolate meets salty Ritz crackers in these irresistible chocolate peanut butter cookies that blend creamy richness with crunchy texture. Simple ingredients create an addictive treat you’ll savor with pure delight.


Ingredients

Scale

Chocolate and Coating:

  • 2 cups chocolate chips (milk or dark)
  • 1/4 cup vegetable shortening or coconut oil

Cookies and Base:

  • 1 box Ritz crackers
  • 1 cup creamy peanut butter

Filling and Binding:

  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/4 tsp salt

Instructions

  1. Prepare a parchment-lined baking sheet and set aside for later use.
  2. In a mixing bowl, blend softened butter, peanut butter, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and salt until smooth and cohesive.
  3. Spread a generous layer of the peanut butter mixture onto half of the Ritz crackers, creating sandwiches by topping with remaining crackers.
  4. Place cookie sandwiches in the refrigerator for 15 minutes to firm up the filling.
  5. Melt chocolate chips and vegetable shortening together in a microwave-safe bowl, stirring every 30 seconds until completely smooth and glossy.
  6. Remove chilled cookie sandwiches from refrigerator and carefully dip each one into melted chocolate, ensuring full coverage.
  7. Gently tap off excess chocolate and place dipped cookies onto prepared parchment-lined baking sheet.
  8. Allow chocolate to set at room temperature for 20-30 minutes, or quickly chill in refrigerator for 10 minutes.
  9. Once chocolate has completely hardened, transfer cookies to an airtight container for storage.
  10. Serve chilled or at room temperature, enjoying the rich combination of chocolate and peanut butter.

Notes

  • Freeze the cookie sandwiches before dipping for cleaner chocolate coating and easier handling.
  • Use dark or white chocolate as alternative coating options to create flavor variety.
  • For gluten-free version, replace Ritz crackers with gluten-free crackers or graham crackers.
  • Keep cookies refrigerated to maintain chocolate shell’s crispness and prevent melting.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20-30 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 12
  • Calories: 160
  • Sugar: 6 g
  • Sodium: 150 mg
  • Fat: 10 g
  • Saturated Fat: 3 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 15 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 3 g
  • Cholesterol: 5 mg
Truc Tran (Kris)

Truc Tran (Kris)

Senior Food Editor

Expertise

Home Cooking, Meal Planning, Recipe Development, Baking and Pastry, Food Editor, Cooking-video Maker, Vietnamese Food Evaluation Expert

Education

  • Hospitality (Commercial Cookery) at TasTAFE
  • Culinary Arts at Kendall College (Australia Branch in Sydney)
  • Vietnamese Cuisine Head Chef at HNAAu School (Vietnam, International Joint Training Program)

Truc Tran (Kris), an experienced food writer and editor, is great at exploring and describing global cuisines, from simple street food to fancy dining. In her writing, she skillfully mixes different flavors, cooking methods, and culinary traditions, showing the unique character of various cultures through their food and drinks. On azcuisines.com, Kris highlights her knowledge, especially in Asian cuisine and worldwide traditional dishes.

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