Ritz Peanut Butter Cookies

Ritz peanut butter cookies are the easiest, most nostalgic no-bake treat you’ll make all year. Buttery crackers, creamy peanut butter, and chocolate coating come together for a sweet-salty indulgence that feels like pure comfort in every bite.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These little sandwich cookies have been stealing hearts at holiday parties for decades, and for good reason. The salty crunch of Ritz crackers pairs beautifully with smooth peanut butter and rich chocolate, creating flavor fireworks with minimal effort.

No oven needed, no chilling required for hours. Just simple ingredients mixing into something that tastes homemade and special. They’re perfect for gifting too, looking festive wrapped in cellophane bags with ribbon, bringing smiles to anyone lucky enough to receive them.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Sandwiches:
• 48 Ritz crackers
• 3/4 cup creamy peanut butter

For the Chocolate Coating:
• 8 oz milk chocolate melting wafers (or chocolate chips)
• 8 oz white chocolate melting wafers (optional, for variety)
• 2 tsp coconut oil (1 tsp per chocolate type)

Notes on Ingredients:
Natural peanut butter can be too oily for this recipe, so stick with regular creamy peanut butter for the best texture. Melting wafers give the smoothest coating, but chocolate chips work beautifully if melted with a touch of coconut oil to prevent seizing.

Why These Ingredients Work

Buttery Ritz crackers bring that irresistible salty crunch that makes these cookies so addictive. Their flat, sturdy shape holds peanut butter perfectly while still being thin enough to eat in two bites.

Creamy peanut butter acts as the glue and flavor star, providing richness without any graininess. Melting wafers are formulated to stay smooth and glossy when melted, hardening into a crisp shell without tempering.

The splash of coconut oil keeps chocolate fluid enough for easy dipping while adding subtle richness. Together, these ingredients create contrast and harmony—sweet, salty, creamy, crunchy—all in one delightful package.

Essential Tools and Equipment

• Baking sheet lined with parchment paper
• Two microwave-safe bowls (for melting chocolate)
• Fork or dipping tool for coating cookies
• Offset spatula or butter knife for spreading peanut butter

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Make the Peanut Butter Sandwiches

Lay out all your Ritz crackers on the counter. Spoon about a tablespoon of peanut butter onto half of the crackers, then top each with another cracker to create sandwiches. Press gently so the filling spreads to the edges without squishing out. Pop them in the freezer for 10-15 minutes to firm up the peanut butter, making dipping cleaner and preventing crumbs in your chocolate.

Step 2: Melt the Chocolate

In separate bowls, combine each type of chocolate with one teaspoon of coconut oil. Microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring between each interval, until completely smooth and glossy. The coconut oil helps the chocolate flow beautifully and prevents it from seizing up. If you’re only using one chocolate type, that works perfectly too.

Step 3: Dip and Coat

Remove sandwiches from the freezer. Using a fork, place each cookie sandwich into the melted chocolate, ensuring it’s fully coated. Tap the fork gently on the bowl’s edge to let excess chocolate drip off. Slide the coated cookie onto your parchment-lined baking sheet. If decorating, add sprinkles immediately before the chocolate sets.

Step 4: Let Them Set

Once all cookies are dipped, place the baking sheet in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes until the chocolate hardens completely. The chilling step ensures a crisp coating that won’t smudge when you package or serve them.

You Must Know

Freezing the peanut butter sandwiches before dipping is essential. It firms up the filling so it doesn’t melt into your chocolate, keeping your coating smooth and clean. Skipping this step leads to messy, crumbly chocolate with peanut butter streaks. Room temperature eggs don’t apply here since there aren’t any, but the principle of prep makes all the difference.

Personal Secret: For the most professional finish, use a candy dipping fork instead of a regular fork. The thinner tines let more chocolate drip off, giving you a thinner, more even coating that looks bakery-perfect.

Pro Tips & Cooking Hacks

• Use a small cookie scoop for perfectly portioned peanut butter every time
• Tap the fork on the bowl edge three times after dipping to remove just enough chocolate
• Work in batches of 6-8 cookies to prevent the chocolate from hardening before you finish
• Add a pinch of sea salt on top of chocolate-dipped cookies for extra flavor dimension
• If chocolate gets too thick, reheat it for 10-15 seconds to restore the smooth consistency

Flavor Variations & Suggestions

Swap peanut butter for almond butter or cookie butter for a different flavor profile. Try dark chocolate coating for a less-sweet option that pairs beautifully with the salty crackers.

Drizzle white chocolate over milk chocolate-coated cookies for an elegant two-tone look. Add crushed candy canes or toffee bits on top during the holidays. You can even use chocolate graham crackers instead of Ritz for a different kind of crunch.

Make-Ahead Options

These cookies are fantastic make-ahead treats. You can assemble the peanut butter sandwiches up to two days before dipping, storing them in an airtight container. Dip them in chocolate the day before your event or gathering.

Fully finished cookies keep beautifully in the refrigerator for up to one week in a sealed container, or freeze them for up to a month. Layer parchment paper between rows to prevent sticking.

What to Serve With Ritz Peanut Butter Cookies

These cookies shine at holiday parties alongside other no-bake treats like peppermint bark or chocolate truffles. Pair them with hot cocoa, coffee, or a cold glass of milk for a cozy afternoon snack.

They’re wonderful on dessert platters with brownies and fudge, offering variety in texture and flavor. For gifting, nestle them in decorative tins with tissue paper or arrange them in cellophane bags tied with festive ribbon.

Allergy Information

These cookies contain peanuts, dairy, and wheat. For a peanut-free version, use sunflower seed butter or tahini instead of peanut butter. Dairy-free chocolate chips melted with coconut oil work perfectly for those avoiding milk products. Gluten-free crackers can replace Ritz, though the texture will differ slightly.

Storage & Reheating

Store finished cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. They can also be frozen for longer storage—up to three months in a freezer-safe container with parchment between layers. Let them come to room temperature for about 10 minutes before serving for the best texture. No reheating needed since they’re already no-bake treats.

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