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If you adore the cozy warmth of hot chocolate and the irresistible charm of peanut butter cups, then the Reese’s Hot Chocolate Cookie Cups Recipe is about to become your new holiday obsession. These adorable sweet treats combine soft sugar cookie cups, melted mini Reese’s cups, and festive candy cane handles for a bite-sized delight that feels like a warm hug in dessert form. Perfect for sharing or keeping all to yourself, these cookie cups will bring cozy, chocolaty joy to any occasion.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering your ingredients is the first step to creating these delightful cookie cups. Every element plays a role in delivering the perfect balance of texture, flavor, and festive flair that makes this Reese’s Hot Chocolate Cookie Cups Recipe unforgettable.
- Sugar cookie dough (store-bought, 24 cookies): The soft, buttery base that bakes into a perfect little cup for all your toppings.
- Mini Reese’s cups (24 pieces): These peanut buttery chocolates melt perfectly to mimic the rich chocolate of hot cocoa.
- White chocolate chips (1 cup): Used to “glue” the candy cane handles in place and add a sweet, creamy layer.
- Mini candy canes (24 pieces): These festive peppery sticks become the adorable cup handles and stir sticks.
- White icing (1 tub): The finishing touch that adds sweetness and lets you get creative with piping details.
- Holiday sprinkles: A sprinkle of color and cheer to brighten up each cookie cup.
How to Make Reese’s Hot Chocolate Cookie Cups Recipe
Step 1: Prepare and Bake the Cookie Cups
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and greasing a mini muffin pan with non-stick spray to ensure your cookie cups come out cleanly. Break apart the sugar cookie dough into 24 pieces, enough to fill each muffin well. Press the dough into the wells using your fingers or the back of a tablespoon, creating a little hollow in the center to hold the fillings. Bake for about 13 minutes or until golden brown — this is what gives the cookie its sturdy cup shape and deliciously soft texture.
Step 2: Add the Reese’s and Candy Cane Stir Sticks
While your cookies are baking, unwrap the mini Reese’s cups and prepare your candy canes. Carefully slice off the hooked part of each candy cane to create the “handle” for your cookie cup, reserving the straight parts to use as stir sticks. When the cookies are golden and just out of the oven, place a mini Reese’s cup into each cookie well. Allow the cookies to cool slightly before gently inserting the candy cane stir sticks into the Reese’s cups. This part adds the playful, hot chocolate mug detail that makes these cups irresistible.
Step 3: Chill and Melt the White Chocolate
Pop your mini muffin pan with the assembled cookie cups into the freezer for about 10 minutes. This step is key to letting the Reese’s harden again, making them easier to remove from the pan later on. While those chill, melt your white chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl, heating in 20-second bursts and stirring in between until smooth and creamy.
Step 4: Attach Handles and Decorate
Once chilled, gently remove each cookie cup from the pan. Use the melted white chocolate as edible glue to attach the candy cane “handles” on the sides of each cookie cup — hold them in place for a few moments until set. After the handles are firmly attached, let the cookie cups dry for about 10 minutes. Finally, pipe the white icing on top like whipped cream and sprinkle with holiday-themed sprinkles to add that final festive flourish. Your Reese’s Hot Chocolate Cookie Cups Recipe is now ready to spread some serious holiday cheer!
How to Serve Reese’s Hot Chocolate Cookie Cups Recipe
Garnishes
The fun part about these cookie cups is how decorating can be personalized. Try adding mini marshmallows on top of the icing or dusting with a pinch of cocoa powder for an extra chocolate kick. You can also swap sprinkles for edible glitter to make them sparkle even more during your celebrations. Garnishes can transform these cookie cups into the star of any dessert table.
Side Dishes
Serve these luscious cookie cups with a warm mug of classic hot cocoa or even a peppermint mocha for a full winter-themed treat spread. They also pair beautifully with a simple fruit platter or a light, fresh salad if you want to balance indulgences with something fresh. These cookie cups make a perfect sweet ending after any meal or snack session.
Creative Ways to Present
Presentation is everything with the Reese’s Hot Chocolate Cookie Cups Recipe! Arrange them on a festive platter lined with faux snow or edible glitter for a winter wonderland vibe. You can also stand the candy cane stir sticks up in a shallow dish filled with sugar or crushed candy canes to create a charming ‘hot chocolate stand’ display. Gift them in clear boxes tied with ribbon for delightful edible presents ready to wow friends and family.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover cookie cups in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days to retain freshness. They’ll stay soft and full of flavor, but be sure to keep them away from humidity or heat that could melt the candy cane handles or Reese’s cups.
Freezing
If you want to prepare these cookie cups ahead of time, you can freeze them after the initial baking step, before adding the Reese’s cups and decorations. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and store in a freezer-safe container for up to 1 month. When ready to use, thaw at room temperature before completing the decorating steps.
Reheating
Reheating is generally unnecessary and not recommended for this dessert since the texture and candy details are best enjoyed fresh or chilled. However, if you prefer them slightly warmed, briefly heat in a microwave for 5 to 7 seconds — just enough to soften but not melt the candy cane handles or Reese’s cups.
FAQs
Can I use homemade sugar cookie dough for this recipe?
Absolutely! Homemade sugar cookie dough works wonderfully and lets you customize flavors like adding cinnamon or vanilla. Just make sure your dough is firm enough to hold a cup shape without spreading too much while baking.
What if I don’t have mini candy canes? Can I use something else?
Yes! You can get creative and use pretzel sticks or chocolate-dipped spoons as handles and stir sticks, adding a different but equally fun twist.
Can I make these gluten-free?
Definitely. Use a gluten-free sugar cookie dough blend and double-check that all other ingredients like icing and sprinkles are gluten-free certified for safe enjoyment.
Do the cookie cups taste like hot chocolate?
While they don’t replicate liquid hot chocolate, the combination of chocolate, peanut butter, cookie, and peppermint flavors cleverly evokes the cozy, warm sensation of sipping hot cocoa in every bite.
How long do these cookie cups keep their texture?
When stored properly, these cookie cups retain their softness for about 2 to 3 days. Beyond that, they may lose a bit of their fresh-baked texture but will still taste delicious.
Final Thoughts
Making the Reese’s Hot Chocolate Cookie Cups Recipe is like creating a tiny festive party in your hand — there’s so much charm packed into every bite! It’s a perfect blend of simple ingredients turning into an extraordinary treat that brings smiles, warmth, and a touch of holiday magic. I encourage you to give this recipe a try soon and watch how these cookie cups become everyone’s new favorite indulgence at your next gathering or cozy night in.
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Reese’s Hot Chocolate Cookie Cups Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 13 minutes
- Total Time: 33 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookie cups
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Reese’s Hot Chocolate Cookie Cups are a festive and fun treat perfect for holiday gatherings. Made with soft sugar cookie dough baked into mini muffin tins, each cup is filled with a melted mini Reese’s cup to resemble hot chocolate, complete with a candy cane handle and stir stick. Topped with white chocolate, icing, and colorful holiday sprinkles, these cups are both delightful to look at and delicious to eat.
Ingredients
Cookie Cups
- 24 store-bought sugar cookie dough pieces (for 24 cookies)
- Non-stick spray (for greasing muffin pan)
- 24 mini Reese’s cups
- 24 mini candy canes
Toppings
- 1 cup white chocolate chips
- 1 tub white icing
- Holiday sprinkles (quantity as desired)
Instructions
- Prepare the cookie cups: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a mini muffin pan with non-stick spray to prevent sticking. Break apart the sugar cookie dough into 24 equal portions. Place each portion into a muffin well and press down gently using the back of a tablespoon or your fingertips to create a small well in the center. Bake the cookie dough in the oven for approximately 13 minutes or until golden brown.
- Prepare candy cane pieces and insert Reese’s: While the cookies bake, unwrap the mini Reese’s cups. Using a serrated knife, carefully cut the mini candy canes: slice off the hook section to create a small curved “handle” and save the straight pieces to use as “stir sticks.” Once baked and slightly cooled, insert a mini Reese’s cup into the center well of each cookie. Then, gently place the candy cane stir stick into the Reese’s cup to mimic a hot chocolate stirrer.
- Chill to set: Transfer the entire mini muffin pan with cookie cups into the freezer for about 10 minutes. This step helps the Reese’s cups to firm back up, making it easier to remove the cookie cups from the pan without breaking.
- Melt white chocolate and attach handles: Meanwhile, melt the white chocolate chips in a small microwave-safe bowl in 20-second increments, stirring between sessions until smooth. Use the melted white chocolate as edible glue to attach the candy cane handles to the side of each cookie cup. Allow the handles to set and dry for about 10 minutes.
- Decorate and serve: Once the candy cane handles are secure, pipe white icing on top of each cookie cup to mimic whipped cream. Finish by sprinkling festive holiday sprinkles on top. Serve immediately and enjoy these fun, festive treats!
Notes
- To make cookie dough handling easier, keep it chilled before pressing into the muffin pan.
- If you don’t have mini candy canes, you can substitute with small peppermint sticks or entirely omit the handles.
- Ensure the Reese’s cups are fully melted in the center by baking cookies thoroughly, but avoid overbaking to prevent dryness.
- Use white icing piping bags with a small tip for more precise decoration.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for longer freshness.
