One of our all-time favorite treats is to whip up a batch of puppy chow (aka Chex mix muddy buddies). So it just makes sense to turn our favorite snack mix into a cookie featuring that same peanut butter and chocolate flavor with the extra sweetness of powdered sugar and crunch from the Chex cereal! My Muddy Buddy Peanut Butter Cookies recipe blends the traditional Muddy Buddies flavors with the comforting, homemade feel of classic peanut butter cookies. You could call this a copycat recipe for Crumbl Muddy Buddy Cookies, but these are far superior in our opinion. The chewy peanut butter cookies pair perfectly with the crunchy texture of the small batch of muddy buddies you can make for decorating the tops of the cookies. And the chocolate and peanut butter flavor is always a great combination. If you love peanut butter snacks and treats, then check out my recipes for Peanut Butter Cup Cookies, Peanut Butter Swirl Brownies, No-Bake Peanut Butter Pie, Easy Peanut Butter Blossoms, and my Frosted Peanut Butter Blondies!
Why We Love This Recipe
Uses pantry ingredients. We almost always have all the ingredients we need to whip up a batch of these cookies without running to the store. These cookies are always a hit with cookie lovers and can be enjoyed in any setting, from a casual family gathering, to a festive holiday party, or simply as a delicious treat to enjoy at home. Whether you’re an experienced baker or trying your hand at something new, this quick and easy recipe with basic ingredients is sure to yield delicious results!
Recipe Ingredients
Scroll down to the recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions.
Creamy Peanut Butter – Provides a rich and creamy base for both the cookies and the Muddy Buddies mix. Butter – Use salted butter to add moisture and a buttery flavor to the cookies. Brown Sugar and Granulated Sugar – The brown sugar adds a hint of caramel flavor and helps create a chewy texture, and the white sugar helps to crisp the edges. Egg – Acts as a binder to hold the cookie dough together. Vanilla Extract – Enhances the flavor of the cookies. All-Purpose Flour – The main dry ingredient that gives structure to the cookies. Baking Powder & Baking Soda – These leavening agents help the cookies rise and spread just enough. Cornstarch – Adds tenderness to the cookie’s texture for that soft-baked feel. Salt – Balances the sweetness and enhances the overall flavor. Chocolate Chips – You will need milk chocolate chips for making the chocolate coating that finishes the top of each cookie and semisweet chocolate chips for the small batch of muddy buddies that you will use to decorate the cookies. Rice Chex Cereal – The base for the Muddy Buddies mix, which gives it a crunchy texture. Powdered Sugar – For dusting the finished cookies, which adds a sweet, snowy finish.
How to Make Peanut Butter Muddy Buddy Cookies
Making the Peanut Butter Cookie Base
Making the Muddy Buddies
Tips for Success
Make sure your butter is softened to room temperature before starting as this helps the ingredients blend more easily and evenly. Overmixing can lead to tough cookies, so when you’re combining the wet and dry ingredients, mix them just until they’re combined. Chilling the dough prevents the cookies from spreading too much and helps concentrate the flavors. Use a cookie scoop or a ¼ cup measuring cup to ensure your cookies are roughly the same size for more even results. Always line your baking sheet or cookie sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat to prevent the cookies from sticking. Bake one tray at a time, positioning it in the center of your oven to distribute the heat as evenly as possible.
Substitutions and Variations
You can substitute unsalted butter for salted butter with an extra ¼ teaspoon of salt for each ½ cup stick of butter if needed. I find the best peanut butter cookies are made with creamy peanut butter, but chunky peanut butter or another nut butter like almond butter can be used instead. The texture and flavor will be a little different from the original but they will still taste good. You can use semi-sweet chocolate chips for this recipe, or try milk chocolate, dark chocolate, or even white chocolate chips depending on your preference. Feel free to experiment with adding different add-ins to the Muddy Buddies mix, like pretzel pieces, mini marshmallows, chopped nuts, or M&Ms.
More Peanut Butter Cookie Recipes
Lunch Lady Peanut Butter Bars Peanut Butter Cup Cookies Easy No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies Peanut Butter White Chocolate Chip Cookies Big, Soft Baked Peanut Butter M&M Cookies
Using a double boiler can give you more control over the melting process than using a microwave would if you find that melting the chocolate in the microwave is giving you trouble.
Peanut Butter Oatmeal Butterscotch Chocolate Chip Cookies
Copycat Levain Bakery Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Chip Cookies
Reese’s Pieces Cookies
Let me know what you thought with a comment and rating below. You can also take a picture and tag me on Instagram @houseofnasheats or share it on the Pinterest pin so I can see.
