Ritz Cracker Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe

If you’re looking for a fun, festive treat that’s ridiculously easy and tastes like pure holiday magic, you’ve got to try my Ritz Cracker Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe. I absolutely love how these cookies combine salty, sweet, creamy, and crunchy all in one bite—plus, they come together so quickly, making them my go-to when I want to impress without stress. Stick around, and I’ll walk you through everything so you nail it just like I do every time!

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Ingredients You’ll Need

These simple ingredients come together beautifully – each has its role, and any tweaks will still keep you on the path for success. When picking your peanut butter, creamy works best here for easy spreading, and I recommend white chocolate melting wafers to get a nice smooth coating without fuss.

• Ritz Crackers: The buttery, salty base; try to use the classic round ones for the perfect sandwich size.
• White Chocolate Melting Wafers: Designed to melt smoothly without seizing, but I’ll share a trick to keep it silky just in case.
• Coconut Oil (optional): Adding a tablespoon or two makes your chocolate even creamier and easier to work with during dipping.
• Creamy Peanut Butter: For that rich, gooey filling; I stick to classic creamy, but feel free to try almond or other nut butters.
• Festive Holiday Sprinkles: Fun to decorate and add a pop of color—perfect for the holidays or any celebration.
• Flaky Sea Salt: A final sprinkle to amp up flavor and add a beautiful finishing touch that contrasts perfectly with the sweetness.

Variations

I love making this Ritz Cracker Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe my own by switching up flavors based on the season or my mood. It’s a fantastic base that welcomes creativity, so don’t hesitate to try your favorites!

• Using Dark Chocolate: One year, I swapped the white chocolate for dark, and my family was hooked—the deeper chocolate flavor added a grown-up twist while keeping that delicious salty-sweet balance.
• Nut Butter Swap: I’ve tried almond and cashew butters when my pantry lacked peanut butter, and it gave the cookies a unique nutty flavor without losing the gooey texture.
• Sprinkle Themes: For Valentine’s Day, I used red and pink sprinkles, and for Halloween, I went with orange and black—super simple way to dress these up for any occasion!
• Salt-Free Version: If you’re avoiding salt, you can skip the sea salt, though I do highly recommend trying it once for that perfect sweet-salty punch.

How to Make Ritz Cracker Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Crackers and Peanut Butter

Start by lining a cookie sheet with parchment paper—it makes cleanup a breeze and keeps the cookies from sticking. Lay out one sleeve of your Ritz crackers with the flat side facing up; this ensures the peanut butter will spread easily. I like to eyeball about 2 teaspoons of peanut butter on each cracker—enough for a thick, satisfying layer but not so much it squishes out when you sandwich them.

Step 2: Create the Sandwiches

Carefully place another cracker on top of the peanut butter with the rounded side up to complete each sandwich cookie. This little trick keeps the cookies looking just like classic Ritz crackers—a fun visual that always impresses guests.

Step 3: Melt the White Chocolate

Put your white chocolate melting wafers in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for one minute, then stir. Repeat for another minute and stir again until smooth. If your chocolate feels too thick or grainy, add 1–2 tablespoons of coconut oil and stir well to get that silky texture. I learned this coconut oil trick from a friend, and it’s been a game-changer when melting chocolate quickly.

Step 4: Dunk, Decorate, and Set

Using a fork, dunk each peanut butter sandwich fully into the melted chocolate, then gently tap off the excess so your cookies have a neat coating. Place them back on the parchment paper and drizzle any leftover chocolate over the tops for a pretty finish. Before the chocolate sets, sprinkle on your festive holiday sprinkles and a pinch of flaky sea salt. I always find that little sprinkling of sea salt turns these from good to irresistible.

How to Serve Ritz Cracker Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe

Garnishes

I’m a huge fan of finishing these cookies with flaky sea salt to add a little crunch and balance all the sweetness from the chocolate and peanut butter. For special occasions, I reach for holiday-themed sprinkles—like red and green for Christmas or pastel colors for Easter—which add a fun festive vibe every time.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair beautifully with a cold glass of milk or a warm cup of coffee or hot chocolate. I’ve also enjoyed serving them alongside simple fruit platters or nuts for added texture contrasts during holiday parties.

Creative Ways to Present

Once, for a cookie swap party, I arranged these on a festive platter with mini cupcake liners under each cookie and added little edible gold stars on top. It made the treats feel extra special and everyone asked for seconds. You could also package them in cute jars or boxes for gifting—they’re always a hit!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

After the chocolate hardens, I store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They last up to a week and stay wonderfully crisp and tasty. Just be sure they’re fully set before stacking to avoid sticking together.

Freezing

I’ve successfully frozen these cookies by placing them in a single layer in a freezer-safe container with parchment paper between layers. They keep beautifully for up to 3 months, so whenever I want a festive treat, I just pull some out!

Reheating

When I bring frozen cookies back, I let them thaw at room temperature for about 30 minutes. If you want them a little melty and fresh, pop them in a warm (not hot) oven at 300°F for 3–5 minutes, but watch carefully so the chocolate doesn’t soften too much.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

I’ve been making this Ritz Cracker Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe for years, and it never fails to bring smiles and requests for more. It’s the kind of recipe that feels nostalgic and festive but is so simple that anyone can make it. If you want a no-fail crowd-pleaser that tastes like a holiday hug, this is it. Plus, the joy of dipping and decorating with sprinkles makes it fun for both kids and adults. I hope you enjoy making (and eating) these as much as I do—trust me, once you try them, they’ll become a staple in your cookie rotation too!

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