Ritz Cracker Peanut Butter Cookies with White Chocolate Recipe

If you’re like me and always hunting for that perfect sweet-and-salty combo, you’re going to flip for this **Ritz Cracker Peanut Butter Cookies with White Chocolate Recipe**. I absolutely love how these cookies come together in no time, yet deliver such a fun crunch with a melty, creamy twist. When I first tried this recipe, it quickly became my go-to snack because it’s simple, festive, and honestly, my family goes crazy for them during the holidays and beyond! Keep reading because I’m sharing all my little secrets to make sure your batch is as amazing as mine.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic behind this Ritz Cracker Peanut Butter Cookies with White Chocolate Recipe lies in the balance—crispy, creamy, and sweet ingredients that complement each other perfectly. When picking your ingredients, quality matters but don’t stress; even pantry staples work great here.

• Ritz Crackers: Their buttery, flaky texture gives your cookies the perfect crunch and a hint of saltiness.
• White Chocolate Melting Wafers: These melt smoothly and coat your cookies beautifully, but you can swap for dark chocolate if you prefer.
• Coconut Oil (optional): I add a bit to white chocolate sometimes to make it silkier and easier to work with, but it’s not a must.
• Creamy Peanut Butter: I stick with creamy for easy spreading, but feel free to experiment with almond or cashew butter.
• Festive Holiday Sprinkles: They add a pop of fun and color, perfect for gifting or seasonal treats.
• Flaky Sea Salt: Sprinkling a little on top brings out the sweetness and adds an irresistible finishing touch.

Variations

One of the best things about this Ritz Cracker Peanut Butter Cookies with White Chocolate Recipe is how flexible it is. I love tweaking it depending on the season or what I have on hand, and you can do the same.

• Use Dark Chocolate: I swapped in dark chocolate once and loved the rich, less sweet vibe it gave. It’s perfect if you want to balance out the peanut butter a bit more.
• Nut Butter Swap: Sometimes I make it with almond or cashew butter, and it works beautifully while offering a different flavor profile.
• Sprinkle Mix Ups: Adding crushed candy canes for a peppermint twist or chopped nuts gives your cookies a festive crunch and surprise.
• Vegan Version: Use dairy-free white chocolate and a vegan nut butter to make these friendly for all diets.

How to Make Ritz Cracker Peanut Butter Cookies with White Chocolate Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Workstation and Crackers

I always start by lining a cookie sheet with parchment paper—trust me, it makes cleanup so much easier. Then, lay out one sleeve of Ritz crackers flat side up; this is where the peanut butter magic happens. Arranging the crackers ahead of time speeds things up and helps you stay organized.

Step 2: Spread That Peanut Butter Love

I usually eyeball about 2 teaspoons of creamy peanut butter per cracker and spread it evenly. The goal is a thick enough layer so you get a satisfying peanutty bite but not so much that the cookies get too soft or messy. I discovered this thick spread keeps the cookies balanced after adding the white chocolate coating.

Step 3: Sandwich ‘Em Up

Next, place another Ritz cracker on top, this time rounded side up, to create a perfect sandwich. Press gently so the peanut butter sticks, but don’t squish them too hard or the crackers will break. This step always makes me smile—it feels so much like making little peanut buttery treasures.

Step 4: Melt Your White Chocolate

Pop the white chocolate melting wafers into a microwave-safe bowl and heat for 1 minute. Give it a good stir to avoid seizing, then heat for another minute. If you want, stir in 1-2 tablespoons of coconut oil—it’s a trick I learned that keeps the melted chocolate silky and smooth, making it easier to coat your cookies perfectly.

Step 5: Dip and Decorate

Using a fork, dunk each peanut butter sandwich into the white chocolate, making sure it’s fully coated. Holding it over the bowl, tap off any excess chocolate to avoid messy drips. Then, set them back on your parchment-lined sheet. This part is fun because you get to drizzle any extra melted chocolate on top and add festive sprinkles and flaky sea salt—which really bring these cookies to life and add that dazzling holiday sparkle.

Step 6: Let Them Set

Finally, let the cookies sit at room temperature until the white chocolate hardens. If you’re pressed for time, pop them in the fridge for about 10-15 minutes. Once set, they’re ready to be devoured, gifted, or admired!

How to Serve Ritz Cracker Peanut Butter Cookies with White Chocolate Recipe

Garnishes

For garnishes, I love sprinkling flaky sea salt right after dipping to add that unexpected pop of flavor. Sometimes, I swap sprinkles for finely chopped nuts or a dusting of cocoa powder for a more upscale look. It’s those little touches that make these cookies feel special every time.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair wonderfully with a cold glass of milk, a cozy cup of hot cocoa, or even a bold coffee. On holiday mornings, I like serving them alongside fresh fruit or a simple yogurt parfait to balance out the richness.

Creative Ways to Present

When I’ve brought these to parties, I arrange them on a festive platter with greenery or pinecones around the edges for a holiday vibe. For gift-giving, stacking them in a clear jar with twine and a handwritten tag makes such a charming presentation. You could also drizzle extra chocolate over the top in pretty swirls or create patterns with sprinkles for a personalized touch.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover Ritz Cracker Peanut Butter Cookies with White Chocolate Recipe in an airtight container at room temperature. They keep well for about a week, and I make sure to layer them with parchment paper so they don’t stick or lose their crispness. I’ve actually had success storing them this way between batches — they’re still just as tasty two days later.

Freezing

If you want to make a big batch ahead of time, freezing works beautifully. I place the cookies in a freezer-safe container with parchment paper layers and freeze them for up to 3 months. When I’m ready to enjoy, I just thaw them at room temp — perfect for holiday parties planned weeks in advance.

Reheating

I don’t usually reheat these cookies since they’re best enjoyed cool to keep the chocolate crisp. But if you do want to bring back some melted goodness, a quick 10-second zap in the microwave softens them enough to enjoy gooey bites without melting the chocolate entirely.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Ritz Cracker Peanut Butter Cookies with White Chocolate Recipe is one of those simple pleasures that always feels indulgent and festive. I love that it doesn’t require fancy baking skills or ingredients, yet it never fails to impress at gatherings or satisfy sweet cravings on a lazy afternoon. If you try this recipe, I promise it’ll become a favorite in your cookie rotation just like it did in mine. So go ahead—get messy, add your favorite toppings, and enjoy every crunchy, creamy bite!

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