Snickers Peanut Butter Cookies That Are Soft, Chewy, and Loaded with Candy
There are cookies you make once because they sound fun, and then there are cookies you keep coming back to because everyone asks for them again. These Snickers Peanut Butter Cookies are firmly in the second category. They combine everything we love about a classic peanut butter cookie—soft centers, lightly crisp edges, rich nutty flavor—with little bites of chopped Snickers folded right into the dough. The result is sweet, chewy, chocolatey, and just a little gooey in the best possible way.
This is the kind of cookie recipe that feels perfect for bake sales, holiday trays, weekend baking, or those nights when you just want a dessert that makes people light up after the first bite. The peanut butter base is comforting and familiar, while the chopped candy bars add caramel, nougat, and milk chocolate that melt into each cookie as they bake.
Jason Griffith here, and I have to say, these cookies are one of those over-the-top treats that still feel easy enough to make anytime. If you’re looking for a crowd-pleasing dessert that stands out from the usual cookie tray, this recipe absolutely delivers.
Why I Love This Recipe
I love a recipe that takes something classic and gives it just enough of a twist to make it exciting. That is exactly what happens here. Peanut butter cookies are already a favorite in many kitchens, but adding chopped Snickers takes them into dessert-bar territory without making the recipe complicated.
A few reasons these cookies work so well:
- The dough is rich, buttery, and full of peanut butter flavor
- Snickers adds chocolate, caramel, and nougat in every bite
- They bake up soft and chewy with lightly golden edges
- The recipe makes a big batch, which is great for sharing
- They feel nostalgic and bakery-worthy at the same time
These are the kind of cookies that disappear fast, especially if you serve them slightly warm. If you love peanut butter desserts in general, you should also check out The Best Peanut Butter Brownies I’ve Ever Made—and I’ve Made a Lotfor another rich, craveable treat.
Ingredients
Here’s everything you need to make about 48 cookies:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup peanut butter, creamy or crunchy
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 10 to 12 fun-size Snickers bars, chopped
Swaps and Notes
This recipe is already simple, but a few little notes can help you get the best results:
- Peanut butter: Creamy peanut butter gives a smoother dough, while crunchy adds extra texture.
- Snickers size: Fun-size bars are easiest to chop and distribute evenly through the dough.
- Butter: Make sure it is softened, not melted, so the dough stays fluffy and easy to scoop.
- Salt: If you use salted butter, reduce the added salt slightly.
- Chilling the dough: Not required, but helpful if your kitchen is warm or your dough feels very soft.
You can also reserve a small handful of chopped Snickers pieces to press into the tops of the dough balls before baking. It makes the finished cookies look extra tempting.
How to Make Snickers Peanut Butter Cookies
Step 1: Preheat the oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper for easy cleanup and even baking.
Step 2: Cream the butter, peanut butter, and sugars
In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter, peanut butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step helps create that soft cookie texture.
Step 3: Add the eggs and vanilla
Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract until fully combined.
Step 4: Mix the dry ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
Step 5: Combine wet and dry ingredients
Gradually add the dry ingredients into the peanut butter mixture, mixing until a soft dough forms. Be careful not to overmix.
Step 6: Fold in the chopped Snickers
Gently fold in the chopped candy pieces so they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
Step 7: Scoop and shape
Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll them into balls. Place them on the prepared baking sheets a couple of inches apart. Flatten slightly with a fork or with the palm of your hand.
Step 8: Bake
Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. The centers may still look a little soft, and that is exactly what you want.
Step 9: Cool
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before moving them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Tips for Success
For cookies that turn out bakery-style every time, keep these simple tips in mind:
- Chop the Snickers into small, even pieces so they distribute well
- Do not overbake; the cookies will continue to set as they cool
- Use parchment paper to keep caramel from sticking to the pan
- Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet before transferring them
- Bake one test batch first if you want to fine-tune timing for your oven
If you enjoy easy cookie recipes with big payoff, These Chocolate Chip Cookie Bites Are My Favorite Little Treat to Bake Anytime and These Cake Mix Cookies Are My Go-To Shortcut for Easy Foolproof Treats are both great next bakes.
Serving Suggestions and Pairings
These cookies are rich, so they pair beautifully with simple drinks and desserts that balance the sweetness.
Try serving them with:
- Cold milk for the ultimate classic pairing
- Hot coffee for a sweet-and-salty afternoon treat
- Vanilla ice cream for an easy dessert plate
- A dessert spread with bars, brownies, and mini cookies
For a full dessert table, pair them with This Brownie Batter Dip Is My Favorite No-Bake Dessert for Instant Chocolate Cravings if you want something extra indulgent, or add This Edible Cookie Dough Is My Favorite No-Bake Treat for Late-Night Cravings for a fun no-bake option.
Nutritional Information Per Serving
Estimated per cookie, based on 48 cookies:
- Calories: 145
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Carbohydrates: 17g
- Sugar: 11g
- Protein: 3g
- Sodium: 95mg
Nutritional values are estimates and can vary based on the brand of peanut butter and candy bars used.
Storage and Leftover Tips
These cookies store very well, which makes them great for make-ahead baking.
- Room temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days
- Refrigerator: Keep chilled for up to 1 week if your kitchen runs warm
- Freezer: Freeze baked cookies for up to 2 months
- Dough storage: You can also freeze scooped cookie dough balls and bake them straight from frozen, adding 1 to 2 extra minutes to the baking time
Place parchment between layers if stacking to keep the cookies from sticking together.
More Recipes You Will Love
If these Snickers Peanut Butter Cookies hit the spot, here are a few more sweet recipes from Chef Maniac to try next:
- The Best Peanut Butter Brownies I’ve Ever Made—and I’ve Made a Lot
- These Chocolate Chip Cookie Bites Are My Favorite Little Treat to Bake Anytime
- This Brownie Batter Dip Is My Favorite No-Bake Dessert for Instant Chocolate Cravings
- These Cake Mix Cookies Are My Go-To Shortcut for Easy Foolproof Treats
- This Edible Cookie Dough Is My Favorite No-Bake Treat for Late-Night Cravings
Final Thoughts
Snickers Peanut Butter Cookies are the kind of dessert that feels playful, nostalgic, and completely irresistible. They take a classic peanut butter cookie and load it up with everything people love about a candy bar, which makes every bite a little more exciting than the last.
They are easy enough for casual weekend baking, but special enough to bring to parties, share with neighbors, or add to a holiday dessert tray. If you are a fan of peanut butter, chocolate, caramel, and chewy cookies, this one is a must-bake.
If you try them, share your favorite variation and let us know whether you used creamy or crunchy peanut butter. And for more easy dessert recipes, fun baking ideas, and comfort-food favorites, keep following along at Chef Maniac.
