Autumn has come and the atmosphere begins to change, that’s when my kitchen gets busy with all sorts of delicious goodies. One of the biggest hits among the kids’ treats is the Peanut Butter Stuffed Chocolate Jack-O’-Lantern Cookies.
They not only look at all the cuteness of little pumpkins but also have the best combination of two flavors – chocolate and peanut butter.
One bite of these cookies and it’s Halloween! These cookies are great family bonding activities as they are easy to prepare and my children are always excited about making these cookies especially when doing activities such as carving pumpkins.
Not to mention, they are great for school celebrations or even just for munching on while watching horror movies.
Why You’ll Love These Peanut Butter Stuffed Chocolate Jack-O’-Lantern Cookies
These Peanut Butter Stuffed Chocolate Jack-O’-Lantern Cookies are not only adorable, but they also taste amazing! Just picture sinking your teeth into a soft, rich chocolate cookie and discovering a delightful burst of creamy peanut butter inside – it’s a fantastic mix of flavors.
The best part? They’re incredibly easy to make, so even on a hectic day, you can whip these up with little fuss. While they’re perfect for Halloween, you can really enjoy them any time of the year.
Whether you’re baking for a gathering or a cozy evening at home, these cookies are sure to impress!
If you loved these Peanut Butter Stuffed Chocolate Jack-O’-Lantern Cookies, be sure to check out our delicious Fudgy Chocolate Brownie Cookies and Milk Chocolate Stuffed Jack-O’-Lantern Cookies!
Ingredients Notes
Here’s everything you’ll need to make these Peanut Butter Stuffed Chocolate Jack-O’-Lantern Cookies:
- All-purpose flour: It provides the structure for the cookies. You can swap it with a gluten-free flour blend if needed.
- Cocoa powder: Use unsweetened cocoa powder for that deep chocolate flavor. Dark cocoa powder works too if you want a richer taste.
- Baking soda: Helps the cookies rise and gives them a nice chewy texture.
- Butter: Unsalted is best, but you can use salted and just adjust the salt in the recipe.
- Peanut butter: Creamy peanut butter works wonders, but if you prefer a little texture, crunchy peanut butter can add a nice twist!
- Brown sugar & white sugar: Brown sugar makes the cookies soft and chewy, while white sugar adds a bit of crispness.
- Egg: Helps bind everything together and gives the cookies structure.
- Vanilla extract: A touch of vanilla enhances the overall flavor.
For dietary adjustments, you can swap regular butter with a plant-based version or use an egg substitute to make the cookies vegan-friendly.
How to Make Peanut Butter Stuffed Chocolate Jack-O’-Lantern Cookies
Creating these Peanut Butter Stuffed Chocolate Jack-O’-Lantern Cookies is a piece of cake and the product is both exciting and tasty.
Here’s how you can whip up these Halloween-inspired treats in just a few simple steps:
- Prep the dough: Start by creaming together the butter, peanut butter, brown sugar, and white sugar until light and fluffy. This should take about 2-3 minutes. Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until fully combined.
- Dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and a pinch of salt. Slowly add this to the wet ingredients, mixing until a smooth dough forms.
- Shape the cookies: Scoop out small balls of dough, about 1 tablespoon each. Flatten the dough slightly, then place about a teaspoon of peanut butter in the center. Fold the dough around the peanut butter, rolling it back into a ball.
- Create the Jack-O’-Lantern face: Gently flatten the dough balls again and use a small knife or toothpick to carve Jack-O’-Lantern faces on the tops of the cookies.
- Chill the dough: Place the shaped cookies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and chill in the fridge for 20-30 minutes. This helps them hold their shape during baking.
- Bake: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes. The edges should be set, but the centers will still be soft – they’ll firm up as they cool.
- Cool and enjoy: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Then, enjoy these spooky, delicious treats!
Enjoyed making this pie? The full printable recipe is right below, so feel free to grab it!
Serving and Storage Options
These Peanut Butter Stuffed Chocolate Jack-O’-Lantern Cookies are best enjoyed fresh, but if you have leftovers (though I doubt they’ll last long!), they’re easy to store.
You can keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days, and they’ll stay soft and chewy.
If you’re thinking ahead, these cookies freeze really well, too! After baking, let them cool completely, then place them in a single layer in a freezer-safe bag or container.
They’ll keep for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy them again, just pop them in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds, and they’ll taste just like they came out of the oven.
If you want to get a jump on Halloween treats, you can even freeze the dough and bake them fresh when needed!
Print
Peanut Butter Stuffed Chocolate Jack-O’-Lantern Cookies
These delightful Peanut Butter Stuffed Chocolate Jack-O’-Lantern Cookies are a perfect blend of rich chocolate and creamy peanut butter, making them a festive treat for Halloween or any time you crave something sweet!
- Total Time: 42 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
Ingredients
For the Cookie Dough:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
For the Peanut Butter Filling:
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For Decoration:
- Orange and green icing or edible markers
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until smooth. Add the eggs and vanilla extract, mixing until well combined.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In another bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet mixture, stirring until a dough forms.
- Chill the Dough: Cover the dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for about 30 minutes to make it easier to handle.
- Make the Peanut Butter Filling: In a medium bowl, mix the peanut butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth. Set aside.
- Shape the Cookies: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Roll out the chilled dough on a floured surface to about ¼-inch thickness. Use a cookie cutter to cut out circles. Half of these circles will be the bottom half of the cookies, while the other half will be the tops with jack-o’-lantern faces.
- Assemble the Cookies: Place a spoonful of peanut butter filling on the center of each bottom cookie. Top with a cookie cut-out and press down gently to seal.
- Bake: Place cookies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 10-12 minutes. Let them cool completely on a wire rack.
- Decorate: Once cooled, decorate the tops with orange and green icing to create jack-o’-lantern faces.
Notes
- For a nut-free version, substitute the peanut butter with sunbutter or any other nut-free alternative.
- These cookies can be stored in an airtight container for up to a week or frozen for longer storage.
- Feel free to get creative with decorations to make your jack-o’-lanterns unique!
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
Some Variations for Peanut Butter Stuffed Chocolate Jack-O’-Lantern Cookies
These cookies are already a fun treat, but you can easily tweak them to fit different tastes or dietary needs! For a gluten-free option, swap the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free baking blend.
If you’re looking to make them vegan, you can use dairy-free butter and an egg substitute like flax eggs, and try a plant-based peanut butter.
Want to change up the filling? Try using almond butter or hazelnut spread for a different flavor twist. You can even roll the cookie dough in orange-colored sugar before baking to give the Jack-O’-Lanterns a pop of festive color.
And for a more chocolatey experience, toss some mini chocolate chips into the dough – you can never go wrong with more chocolate!
For a deeper dive into the nutritional benefits of peanut butter, check out this Healthline article that highlights its rich protein and healthy fat content.
Recipe FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about making Peanut Butter Stuffed Chocolate Jack-O’-Lantern Cookies:
1. Can I make these cookies ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the dough and chill it in the fridge for up to 2 days before baking. Alternatively, you can freeze the shaped cookie dough for up to 3 months and bake it fresh whenever you want!
2. What can I use instead of peanut butter?
If you need a nut-free option, you can substitute it with sunflower seed butter or soy nut butter. Just keep in mind that the flavor will change a bit.
3. How do I store leftover cookies?
Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for about 4 days. If you want to keep them longer, freeze them for up to 3 months!
4. Can I use chocolate chips in the cookie dough?
Definitely! Mini chocolate chips are a delicious addition and will give the cookies an extra chocolatey kick. Just fold them in with the dough before shaping.
Summary
These Peanut Butter Stuffed Chocolate Jack-O’-Lantern Cookies are the ultimate Halloween treat, but even more so, this is a great activity to do as a family in the kitchen.
The funny faces on the pumpkins and the yummy taste of the cookies make them a hit in my house.
So, I hope that everyone will give this recipe a go with lots of foot-licking gooey chocolate love inside! Bake it, eat it, and most importantly share it along with these interesting cookies with everyone.
