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Craving something sweet? Gluten Free Peanut Butter Cookie Cups are sure to hit the spot with their chewy texture and delicious peanut buttery flavor!
The most delicious gluten free peanut butter cookies
Two of my favorite things in this world are cookies and Reese’s. Mix them together, and it’s like the flavor jackpot! Something about that delicious and creamy chocolate and peanut butter combo is so addicting.
Combine my search for the perfect new cookie recipe with my craving for peanut butter cups, and you wind up with this recipe: Delicious, chewy, melt-in-your-mouth gluten free peanut butter cookie cups.
These cookies take homemade baked goods to the next level. Rather than baking them on a cookie sheet, we’re dropping the dough into muffin tins and then completing them with peanut butter cups as soon as they finish baking.
They’re a total treat, and one that you’re going to want to try ASAP!
Ingredients in this gluten free cookie recipe
To make these peanut butter cookie cups you will need an assortment of standard baking ingredients like flour, baking soda, and more.
- Peanut butter: First up for these cookies, you will need 1/3 cup of natural peanut butter. I recommend natural in this recipe for three things: the flavor, texture, and nutrients! You can use the drippy kinds from Whole Foods or Trader Joe’s, or use your personal favorite!
- Coconut oil: Next you will need 1/4 cup of melted coconut oil. It needs to be melted to mix properly with the other ingredients. This will contribute to the final texture of your cookies!
- Maple syrup: 1/3 cup of maple syrup works as a delicious and all natural sweetener.
- Vanilla: Add a bit of flavor with 1 tsp of vanilla.
- Almond flour: Most cookie recipes require flour, and this one is no different! Use 2 cups of almond flour.
- Baking soda: Use 1/2 tsp of baking soda to help the cookies shape up properly.
- Salt: 1/4 tsp of salt makes a world of different when it comes to the flavor!
- Reese’s: Finally, you will need 24 mini peanut butter cups. You can use Reese’s or any other brand!
Tools needed to make this dessert
To make Reese’s peanut butter chocolate cookies, you will need a few things. Gather everything before you begin, and don’t forget those measuring cups!
- Mini muffin tin
- Nonstick spray
- Small mixing bowl
- Stirring utensil
- Large mixing bowl
- Tablespoon or cookie scoop
For measuring, you will need 1/4 tsp, 1/2 tsp, 1 tsp, 1/4 cup, 1/3 cup, and 1 cup.
How to make gluten free peanut butter cookie cups
Reese’s cup cookies are prepared just like any other cookie recipe, but we’ll be baking them in a muffin tin to get that “cup” effect!
To begin, preheat the oven to 350°F and grease a mini muffin tin.
In a small bowl, mix together the peanut butter, coconut oil, maple syrup, and vanilla until everything is well combined.
Then, use a separate large mixing bowl to mix the almond flour, baking soda, and salt.
Add the wet ingredients to the dry and stir until all of the ingredients are fully mixed.
Scoop out 1 tablespoon of dough at a time and roll each tablespoon into a ball.
Place the dough into the greased mini muffin dish and bake for 12 minutes.
Once removed from the oven, immediately add the Reese’s cups to the centers of the hot cookies. Let rest for 10 minutes before moving to a cooling rack.
Substitution Tip
This recipe, like many baked goods, comes with a lot of ingredient flexibility. If you find yourself missing an ingredient or two, one of these three substitution options may help you out.
- Peanut butter: First, peanut butter can be replaced with any nut butter. You can go the almond butter route or even try something like cashew or sunflower seed butter.
- Coconut oil: No coconut oil handy? That’s okay, because you can use any baking oil in a 1:1 ratio.
- Maple syrup: In this recipe, maple syrup is used as a sweetener. You can also use molasses or honey! I recommend starting with a smaller measurement and adding to taste.
How to make this recipe vegan
This recipe can be made vegan-friendly so easily! Let’s take a peek at the ingredients.
Since eggs and butter are not used, we’ve already skipped two of the most frequently used non-vegan cookie ingredients. After that, the only ingredient left to switch is the peanut butter cups, which typically contain milk.
For a vegan-friendly cookie, simply choose your favorite dairy-free butter cups like Chocolate Sunflower Butter Cups from Free2b, Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups from Hive, or Non-Dairy Peanut Butter Cups from Oh!Nuts.
How this recipe is healthier
Making baked goods healthier is one of my favorite things to do. Between the peanut butter, coconut oil, maple syrup, and almond flour, we’re really able to give these cookies an upgrade!
Natural peanut butter
Using natural peanut butter is an effortless way to pack your cookies with extra nutrients and remove some of the icky preservatives. Many peanut butters are packed with artificial chemicals and ingredients, making natural options a great choice!
Coconut oil
Next, these cookies skip the vegetable and canola oil in place of coconut oil. This is another simple swap that tastes the same (use refined) and is so easy to include!
Maple syrup
Rather than using granulated sugar, this recipe calls for maple syrup. It’s an easy swap that perfectly sweetens the cookies and tastes delicious!
Almond flour
Last but not least, almond flour is the fourth ingredient that makes these cookies a bit healthier. I love to use almond flour in baking because it tastes great and adds a bit of extra nutrients!
If you liked this recipe, you’ll want to try these!
Craving some more peanut butter deliciousness? Here are four more recipes sure to brighten your day.
- Peanut Butter and Strawberry Crumble
- Healthy Peanut Butter Brownie Bites
- Peanut Butter Protein Balls
- Peanut Butter Rice Krispies Bars with Pretzels
Photos by Moriah Sawtelle and recipe by Erin Antoniak.
Gluten Free Peanut Butter Cookie Cups
Craving something sweet? Gluten Free Peanut Butter Cookie Cups are sure to hit the spot with their chewy texture and delicious peanut buttery flavor!
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup natural peanut butter, a drippy brand like Whole Foods or Trader Joe’s
- 1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
- 1/3 cup maple syrup
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 2 cups almond flour
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 24 mini reese’s or mini peanut butter cups
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F and grease mini muffin tin.
- In a small bowl, mix peanut butter, coconut oil, maple syrup, and vanilla until well combined.
- In a large bowl, mix almond flour, baking soda and salt.
- Add wet ingredients to dry and stir until fully mixed.
- Scoop out dough about 1 large tablespoon and roll into balls.
- Place into greased mini muffin dish. Bake for 12 minutes.
- Immediately press reese in to center of hot cookie. Let rest 10 minutes before moving to cooling rack.
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brianna says
made these with the trader joes dark chocolate pb cups and they came out so good ! i cant wait for cookie week this year!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Brianna, so happy you loved them! 🙂
Melanie says
Made these over the holidays and they were SO good. My whole family loved them!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Melanie, so happy they were such a hit! 🙂
Sheila says
These cookies are SO good and so easy to make!!!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Sheila, so happy you loved them!!
Alicia says
Honestly, these are the best cookies I’ve ever made!!! The recipe is so easy to make and they are so soft and delicious. Substituted almond flour for PB because I forgot it and they are still amazing. Took all of our energy not to eat them all at once!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Alicia, so happy you loved them and made them your own! 🙂
Paige says
These cookies are delicious and super easy to make! Highly recommend!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Paige, so glad you loved them!!
Avery says
This recipe is so delicious!!! It’s a great combo of flavors! Sweet and salty perfection!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Avery, so glad you loved them!!
Casey F. says
These were SO GOOD!!! We used the dark chocolate cups from Trader Joe’s (definitely took longer to cool/set) but they were absolutely delicious. Such a hit at my get together!
Erin says
Hi Casey, so glad you loved them and great idea!!
Lacey says
For someone who does not bake, these are so easy!! And so yummy!!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Lacey, so happy you loved them!
Nicole says
Made these during your “cookie week” with my kids and they were super easy and my 5yo liked pushing the PB cups in! Another hit! ⭐️
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Nicole, so glad you loved them and made it a family activity! Thanks for being part of Cookie Week!!
Natasha Coulter says
These might be one of my favorite cookies. Super simple and got better and better sitting on the counter. Highly recommend unwrapping all of your peanut butter cups while your cookies are baking so you can just pop them in real quick. These were even a hit with my very picky partner! Definitely make these
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Natasha, I am so glad you both loved them!! 🙂
Hannah N says
Woops! Forgot to leave a star review on my post and if I could, I would give these a 10!!
★★★★★
Erin says
Thanks so much!!!
Hannah N says
So good and so EASY to make! These were a hit in our house. We loved them even more knowing that they were made with wholesome ingredients. They definitely don’t taste GF either. Thank you Erin for another amazing and delicious recipe!
Erin says
Hi Hannah, so glad you enjoyed them!!
Megan says
So amazing!!! My friends and family loved them!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Megan, so happy everyone liked them! 🙂
Becca says
Delicious! I had to stop myself from eating all of them. Ha
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Becca, so glad you loved them! 🙂
Brigid says
Soooo yummy!! I love peanut butter and these are just soooo delicious!
Erin says
Hi Brigid, so happy you enjoyed them! 🙂
kiley says
are you able to use all purpose flour instead? these look delicious!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Kiley, yes that should be fine! Just double check the ratio since not all are 1:1. Let me know how they come out!!
Megan Johnson says
Sooooo good! Hoping the husband can’t even taste the difference from the original! Guilt free holiday baking at its finest! Simple, quick, and fewer ingredients makes these a breeze! delicious 🤤
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Megan, so happy you loved them so much!! 🙂
lynn says
These were so good! I used Lily’s PB cups and were delicious.
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Lynn, so happy you loved them! 🙂