Loaded Peanut Butter Cookie Cake Recipe
If you’re anything like me and you crave that perfect fusion of peanut butter goodness with a fun, festive cake vibe, you’re going to adore this Loaded Peanut Butter Cookie Cake Recipe. It’s basically a giant cookie that’s stuffed with colorful sprinkles, Reese’s Pieces, and peanut butter cups — think of it as your favorite peanut butter cookie turned way up a notch. Stick with me, and I’ll walk you through all the tips and tricks so your cookie cake comes out perfectly gooey and loaded with flavor every single time.
Why This Recipe Works
- Simple Ingredients: Uses pantry staples with a few fun add-ins for a show-stopping dessert.
- Perfect Texture: Crispy edges with a soft, chewy center that melts in your mouth.
- Visual Appeal: Sprinkles and candy add pops of color and texture — fun for all ages!
- Customizable: Easy to switch up sprinkles or candies to suit the season or your cravings.
Ingredients & Why They Work
This Loaded Peanut Butter Cookie Cake Recipe combines classic dessert ingredients that meld perfectly together. Each element adds a special something — from the creamy peanut butter for richness to the sprinkles and Reese’s Pieces for that extra flair. I always recommend picking good-quality peanut butter, and unsalted butter lets you control the overall salt content precisely.
- Unsalted Butter: Melting it before mixing helps create a tender, chewy texture rather than a cakey one.
- Egg: Binds everything and gives the cookie cake structure without being dry.
- Light Brown Sugar: Adds moisture and a subtle caramel note that’s perfect in peanut butter desserts.
- Vanilla Extract: Amplifies the flavor and rounds out the sweetness.
- Creamy Peanut Butter: Use a smooth variety for consistent texture and that classic peanut punch.
- All-Purpose Flour: Provides the foundation; be careful not to overmix for tender results.
- Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances peanut butter’s natural flavor.
- Fall-Themed Sprinkles: Adds festive color and crunch; you can swap with chocolate jimmies anytime.
- Reese’s Pieces: Peanut butter candy gems that melt a little and add bursts of flavor throughout.
- Miniature Peanut Butter Cups: The pièce de résistance—soft, melty pockets of peanut butter chocolate on top.
Make It Your Way
I love how versatile this Loaded Peanut Butter Cookie Cake Recipe is — you can make it totally your own by swapping out candies or adjusting the level of peanut butter flavor. Sometimes I’ll toss in chopped peanuts for extra crunch or stir in a handful of chocolate chips when I’m craving more chocolatey goodness. Don’t be shy about making it your own; it’s the best part of baking!
- Variation: Adding a swirl of Nutella or chocolate ganache before baking ups the decadence and is an instant crowd-pleaser.
- Dietary Modifications: You can use gluten-free flour blends and dairy-free butter to make this recipe allergy-friendly.
- Seasonal Twist: Switch out sprinkles and candies to match holidays — red and green for Christmas, pastel for Easter, you name it.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Loaded Peanut Butter Cookie Cake Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prep Your Pan
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. I like to use a 9-inch glass pie plate because it heats evenly, but any similar-sized pan works. Give it a good spray with cooking spray so the cookie cake releases easily. Trust me, the last thing you want is your masterpiece sticking to the pan!
Step 2: Melt the Butter and Mix Wet Ingredients
Pop the butter in a microwave-safe bowl and heat it for about a minute until melted. Let it rest for just a few seconds so it’s not piping hot—that way, when you add the egg, it won’t scramble. Whisk together melted butter, egg, brown sugar, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and shiny.
Step 3: Incorporate Peanut Butter and Dry Ingredients
Stir in the creamy peanut butter until it’s fully combined with your wet ingredients. Then add the flour and salt. Mix just until everything comes together; a bit of flour streaks are okay because overmixing will make the cookie cake tough.
Step 4: Add the Fun Stuff – Sprinkles and Candies
Fold in your fall-themed sprinkles and Reese’s Pieces. These add delicious bursts of sweetness and that little crunch I love. Pour the batter into your prepared pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
Step 5: Top with Mini Peanut Butter Cups and Extra Candy
Evenly space the unwrapped mini peanut butter cups on top, gently pressing them so they’re flush with the dough. Sprinkle with a little extra Reese’s Pieces for a gorgeous, colorful finish.
Step 6: Bake and Cool
Bake for 26 to 29 minutes. You want the edges to be golden, and the center set but still a bit soft—test with a toothpick, it should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs. Let your cookie cake cool for at least 30 minutes in the pan before slicing so it holds together nicely.
Tips from My Kitchen
- Don’t Overmix: I learned the hard way that overworking the dough makes it tough, so stop stirring as soon as flour disappears.
- Butter Temperature: Let your melted butter cool slightly before adding the egg to avoid scrambled bits in your batter.
- Candy Placement: Press peanut butter cups gently into the surface so they melt evenly without sinking too deep.
- Cooling Patience: It’s tempting, but cooling helps the cookie cake firm up and slice better without crumbling.
How to Serve Loaded Peanut Butter Cookie Cake Recipe
Garnishes
I love topping this cookie cake with a light dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of melted chocolate to amp up the presentation. Sometimes I sprinkle a few extra crushed peanut butter cups on top right before serving for extra texture and eye appeal.
Side Dishes
This cookie cake is pretty rich on its own, but I like pairing it with a simple scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream — something cool and creamy to balance the sweetness.
Creative Ways to Present
For birthdays or celebrations, I’ve baked this cookie cake in individual ramekins for an extra-special personal treat. It’s also fun to decorate with seasonal candies or edible glitter to match any party theme.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store your Loaded Peanut Butter Cookie Cake at room temperature in an airtight container for up to one week. I keep mine on the counter covered with a cake dome, and it stays soft and fresh — perfect for snacking all week long.
Freezing
If you want to save some for later, wrap slices tightly in plastic wrap and foil, then freeze them. I’ve found that freezing doesn’t affect texture much, and the cookie cake tastes just as delicious after thawing overnight in the fridge.
Reheating
To reheat, I pop a slice in the microwave for about 15-20 seconds or warm it in a low oven just until soft. This brings back that freshly baked feel without overcooking or drying it out.
FAQs
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Can I substitute peanut butter with another nut butter?
Absolutely! This recipe works well with almond or cashew butter. Just be aware the flavor and texture might shift slightly, and you may want to adjust sweetness to balance those different nut flavors.
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Why should I let the cookie cake cool before slicing?
Cooling allows the cookie cake to firm up fully, making slicing easier and helping it hold its shape. Cutting it too warm can cause it to crumble or stick to the knife.
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Can I make this Loaded Peanut Butter Cookie Cake Recipe vegan?
With some substitutions, like using a flax egg and vegan butter, you can! Also, swap the candies and sprinkles for vegan alternatives. Keep in mind the texture may differ slightly.
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What if I don’t have a pie plate?
No worries. Use any round baking dish about 9 inches in diameter. Just keep an eye on baking time, as it might vary slightly depending on your pan’s material and size.
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How do I know when the cookie cake is done?
Look for golden edges and a center that’s set but still soft. A toothpick inserted in the middle should come out with a few moist crumbs but no raw batter.
Final Thoughts
This Loaded Peanut Butter Cookie Cake Recipe is one of those special treats that never fails to bring smiles around my kitchen. It’s got the perfect balance of nostalgia and fun, and the loaded candies always turn heads. I encourage you to give it a try — it’s simple enough for a weeknight but impressive enough for parties and celebrations. Once you taste it, I bet it’ll become one of your go-to desserts, just like it did for me.
PrintLoaded Peanut Butter Cookie Cake Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 29 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Loaded Peanut Butter Cookie Cake is a rich, indulgent dessert loaded with creamy peanut butter, colorful sprinkles, Reese’s Pieces, and miniature peanut butter cups, baked to a perfect gooey and chewy texture in a 9-inch pie plate.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter, 1 stick, melted
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- Heaping 1/3 cup creamy peanut butter
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
Add-ins and Toppings
- ½ cup brown and orange fall-themed sprinkles (or substitute with chocolate jimmies)
- ½ cup Reese’s Pieces, plus 1 to 2 tablespoons more for sprinkling
- 10 to 12 miniature peanut butter cups, unwrapped
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare pan: Preheat the oven to 350°F and spray a 9-inch glass pie plate with cooking spray; set aside.
- Melt the butter: In a large microwave-safe bowl, heat the unsalted butter on high power for about 1 minute until melted.
- Combine wet ingredients: Let the melted butter cool slightly, then add the egg, brown sugar, and vanilla extract. Whisk until the mixture is smooth and uniform.
- Add peanut butter: Stir in the creamy peanut butter until fully incorporated.
- Add dry ingredients: Add the all-purpose flour and salt. Stir gently until just combined, taking care not to overmix the batter.
- Mix in sprinkles and Reese’s Pieces: Fold in the fall-themed sprinkles and ½ cup Reese’s Pieces evenly into the dough.
- Transfer batter to pan: Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pie plate and smooth the surface lightly with a spatula.
- Top with peanut butter cups: Arrange the miniature peanut butter cups evenly over the surface, pushing them lightly into the batter so they are flush.
- Decorate topping: Sprinkle 1 to 2 tablespoons of extra Reese’s Pieces on top for added color and lightly tap them down to adhere.
- Bake: Bake the cookie cake in the preheated oven for 29 minutes, or until the center is set and a toothpick inserted comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs but no raw batter.
- Cool and serve: Remove from the oven and allow the pie to cool on a wire rack for at least 30 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Store the cookie cake airtight at room temperature for up to 1 week to maintain freshness.
- If you can’t find fall-themed sprinkles, substitute with chocolate jimmies or rainbow sprinkles.
- Be careful not to overbake; the center should still be slightly moist for the perfect chewy texture.
- For a nuttier flavor, use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy.
- Use a glass pie plate as it helps bake the cookie evenly and allows you to monitor browning.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 25 g
- Sodium: 210 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg