Melt-in-Your-Mouth Peanut Butter Marshmallow Cookies

Imagine biting into a cookie where rich, nutty peanut butter melts on your tongue, followed by pockets of sweet, gooey marshmallow, creating an utterly soft and chewy sensation. This is a treat that brings back memories of simpler times, like that one time my little nephew tried to toast a marshmallow over a birthday candle – bless his ambitious, sticky heart.

Reasons Why You’ll Love This Recipe

You’ll adore this recipe for its effortless preparation, transforming simple pantry staples into something extraordinary. It boasts a unique flavor profile, harmonizing savory peanut butter with sweet, toasted marshmallow for an irresistible blend that stands out from the crowd. Visually, these cookies are stunning, with their golden bases and puffy, caramelized marshmallow tops, promising delight before the first bite. Plus, their versatile charm makes them perfect for any occasion, from casual snack time to impressive dessert spreads.

Ingredients

Here’s what you need for this delicious dish:

• **Unsalted butter, softened** (1/2 cup / 113g): Crucial for that creamy, melt-in-your-mouth dough texture, ensure it’s truly softened, not melted, to achieve the optimal consistency for creaming.
• **Granulated sugar** (1/2 cup / 100g): Provides crispness to the edges and the foundational sweetness, balancing the richness of the peanut butter.
• **Packed light brown sugar** (1/2 cup / 110g): Essential for adding moisture, a deeper caramel note, and contributing significantly to the soft, chewy interior that defines these treats.
• **Creamy peanut butter** (1/2 cup / 128g): The star ingredient, delivering that unmistakable nutty flavor and a key component of the ‘melt-in-your-mouth’ texture, binding the flavors beautifully.
• **Large egg** (1): Acts as a binder, providing structure and moisture, ensuring the cookies have a rich, consistent crumb.
• **Vanilla extract** (1 teaspoon): A flavor enhancer that complements the peanut butter and marshmallow, adding a warm, aromatic depth to the cookies.
• **All-purpose flour** (1 1/4 cups / 150g): The foundational dry ingredient, providing the necessary structure and body without making the cookies dense.
• **Baking soda** (1 teaspoon): Works with the acidic brown sugar to provide lift and spread, creating a tender crumb.
• **Salt** (1/2 teaspoon): A small but mighty ingredient that balances the sweetness and intensifies the savory notes of the peanut butter, making all the flavors pop.
• **Mini marshmallows** (1 1/2 cups / 100g): The delightful surprise that creates gooey, toasted pockets on top of each cookie, adding a whimsical texture and contributing to the overall sweet, soft appeal.

All ingredients with their exact quantities can be found in the recipe card below.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Here’s a simple guide to help you prepare this delicious recipe:

Get Ready to Bake: Preheat and Prep

Step 1: Preheat your oven to a precise 375°F (190°C) to ensure a perfectly baked cookie. Take a moment to line your baking sheets with parchment paper; this simple step prevents sticking and makes cleanup a breeze.

Creaming the Foundations: Wet Ingredients

Step 2: In a spacious bowl, combine the softened unsalted butter with both the granulated sugar and the packed light brown sugar. Beat these together until the mixture transforms into a light and fluffy consistency, incorporating plenty of air. Next, add the creamy peanut butter and continue to beat until it is thoroughly combined, creating a smooth, rich base.

Building the Cookie Dough: Incorporating Dry Elements

Step 3: In a separate medium bowl, take a whisk and thoroughly combine the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Once the dry ingredients are uniform, gradually add this mixture to your wet ingredients. Mix on low speed until the dry ingredients are just combined into the wet; avoid overmixing to keep your cookies tender.

Shaping and the First Bake: Golden Bases

Step 4: Using a scoop, portion the dough into uniform 1.5-inch balls. Arrange these dough balls onto your prepared baking sheets, ensuring they are spaced approximately 2 inches apart to allow for proper spreading. Bake these initial cookies for a duration of 6 to 8 minutes.

The Marshmallow Magic: Second Bake to Gooey Perfection

Step 5: Carefully remove the baking sheets from the oven after their first bake. While the cookies are still warm, gently press 3 to 4 mini marshmallows onto the top of each cookie, creating little marshmallow hats. Return the baking sheets to the oven and continue baking for another 2 to 4 minutes, or until the marshmallows are beautifully puffed and acquire a delicate, lightly golden hue, and the cookie edges appear set.

Cooling and Serving: The Grand Finale

Step 6: Once the cookies emerge from their final bake, let them cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes. This crucial cooling period allows them to firm up slightly before you transfer them. After 5 minutes, carefully move the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely. Serve these gooey, Melt-in-Your-Mouth Peanut Butter Marshmallow Cookies slightly warm or at room temperature to fully appreciate their rich flavors and delightful textures.

Expert Tips for Flawless Cookies

Achieving the perfect batch of these delightful peanut butter marshmallow cookies is all about paying attention to a few key details. Firstly, the softened butter truly makes a difference. Ensuring your unsalted butter is genuinely soft, not melted, provides the ideal texture for creaming with the sugars, resulting in a cohesive, lump-free dough that bakes beautifully. If your butter is too cold, your dough might be crumbly; too warm, and your cookies could spread excessively.

Secondly, resist the urge to overbake. These particular treats are designed to be soft and chewy in the center, and they will continue to set and firm up as they cool on the wire rack. Pulling them out of the oven when the edges are just set and the marshmallows are lightly golden ensures that melt-in-your-mouth interior we all crave. An extra minute or two can quickly turn a soft cookie into a dry one, so keep a watchful eye on them during those final few minutes.

A third, but equally important tip, involves the precise timing for adding the marshmallows. Pressing the mini marshmallows onto the cookies partway through baking is a clever trick. If you add them at the very beginning, they tend to melt completely into the dough, disappearing and losing their distinct gooey texture. Adding them later allows them to puff up, toast perfectly, and remain a distinct, soft, and slightly caramelized topping that makes these peanut butter marshmallow cookies so special. This two-stage baking process is key to achieving those picturesque, irresistible tops.

Storing Your Irresistible Treats

Once you’ve baked a batch of these magnificent Melt-in-Your-Mouth Peanut Butter Marshmallow Cookies, proper storage is essential to maintain their freshness and that delightful gooey texture. To keep them at their best, allow the cookies to cool completely on a wire rack before transferring them to an airtight container. This prevents condensation from forming, which could make the cookies soggy. Once completely cool, place them in an airtight container at room temperature. They will remain wonderfully fresh and delicious for up to 3 days.

For longer storage, these peanut butter marshmallow treats also freeze well. Once cooled, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze for about an hour until firm. Then, transfer the frozen cookies to a freezer-safe bag or container, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy, simply thaw them at room temperature or warm them slightly in the microwave for that freshly baked experience. The gooey marshmallows will soften right back up, and the peanut butter cookie will regain its tender texture.

Why These Gooey Delights Are Your Next Obsession

These aren’t just any cookies; they are a celebration of contrasting textures and complementary flavors. The rich, savory undertones of the peanut butter perfectly balance the sweet, caramelized notes of the toasted marshmallow, creating a symphony for your taste buds. Each bite offers a delightful journey from the slightly crisp edges to the wonderfully soft and chewy center, culminating in a burst of gooey marshmallow goodness. It’s a comforting treat that transcends the ordinary, offering a satisfying depth of flavor that appeals to everyone.

Beyond their incredible taste and texture, these Melt-in-Your-Mouth Peanut Butter Marshmallow Cookies are incredibly easy to make, making them an ideal project for home cooks of all skill levels. With simple ingredients and straightforward instructions, you can whip up a batch of these irresistible delights in no time. They’re perfect for a cozy night in, a gathering with friends, or simply as a well-deserved treat after a long day. So go ahead, treat yourself and your loved ones to these extraordinary cookies – they are guaranteed to become a new favorite in your baking repertoire. With a serving size of 24 cookies, and each one a mere 180 calories, boasting 4g of protein, 22g of carbs, and 9g of fat, these treats offer a satisfying experience you can feel good about.

Mastering the Secrets of Cooking

Achieving those delightful Melt-in-Your-Mouth Peanut Butter Marshmallow Cookies hinges on precise steps. Ensure you cream the softened butter and sugars until light and fluffy first, then thoroughly mix in the wet ingredients before gently incorporating the dry. Adding the marshmallows mid-bake is crucial for their gooey perfection, preventing them from melting completely into the cookie.

Make Your Recipe Unique

Craving a personal twist on these delightful peanut butter treats? For an added textural dimension, consider swapping the creamy peanut butter for its crunchy counterpart, bringing a lovely bite to each cookie. Alternatively, for a deeper, more robust molasses flavor, you could experiment with using dark brown sugar instead of light brown sugar in the recipe.

Smart Storage & Reheating

To keep your amazing cookies at their absolute best, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. This method helps maintain their signature soft, chewy centers and those irresistible gooey marshmallow tops, ensuring every bite of these sweet confections is as fresh as the first.

The Chef’s Golden Tips

Ensure your unsalted butter is genuinely softened, not melted; this is critical for achieving that light, fluffy texture when creamed with the sugars.

Avoid the temptation to overmix the flour with the wet ingredients; stir only until just combined to guarantee a tender, chewy cookie texture.

For perfect marshmallow pockets, press them onto the cookies promptly at the 6-8 minute baking mark, allowing for ideal puff and golden edges.

The first time I pulled a batch of these glorious cookies from the oven, my kitchen filled with the most incredible aroma. My neighbor, who happened to be visiting, couldn’t stop raving about the gooey centers and insisted I make them for every future gathering.

Final Thoughts

There’s nothing quite like the comforting aroma of fresh cookies. These delightful peanut butter and marshmallow treats truly deliver. You get an irresistibly chewy texture and sweet, gooey pockets of toasted marshmallow. The blend of nutty richness and sugary sweetness makes each bite a satisfying experience. They are simple to prepare and offer a delicious reward. If you want a dessert that’s sure to impress with its perfect balance and delightful texture, it’s time to whip up a batch. Experience the magic of these incredible cookies for yourself!

Print

FAQs

How do I ensure my butter is correctly prepared for these cookies?

Achieving the ideal texture for your cookies starts with properly softened butter. The recipe specifically calls for 1/2 cup of unsalted butter that is softened, not melted. This crucial detail ensures that when you cream it with the granulated and brown sugars, the mixture becomes light and fluffy, forming the essential base for your dough. Using butter that is too cold will result in a dense dough, while melted butter can make the cookies spread too much and become greasy. Taking the time to get this foundational step right contributes significantly to the delicious outcome.

Why is it important to add the mini marshmallows during the baking process, not at the beginning?

The instruction to add the mini marshmallows partway through baking, specifically after 6-8 minutes and then returning the cookies to the oven for an additional 2-4 minutes, is key to their success. This method prevents the marshmallows from completely melting into the cookie dough during the initial bake. Instead, by adding them later, they puff up beautifully and become lightly golden, creating those signature soft and gooey pockets that make these peanut butter treats so special. It ensures you get that delightful contrasting texture and appearance in every bite.

What is the recommended method for cooling these cookies after baking?

Proper cooling is essential for achieving the perfect set and texture for your freshly baked peanut butter cookies. After they emerge from the oven, with their puffed and lightly golden marshmallows and set edges, it is important to let them cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes. This initial cooling period allows the delicate cookies to firm up sufficiently before you attempt to move them. Once slightly set, you should carefully transfer them to a wire rack. Cooling completely on a wire rack ensures air circulation, preventing a soggy bottom and contributing to their ideal soft yet crisp edges.

How should I store any leftover cookies?

To maintain the irresistible freshness and delightful texture of your cookies, proper storage is important. Once completely cooled on the wire rack, any leftovers should be stored in an airtight container. This method helps prevent them from drying out and keeps the soft, chewy interior intact. For the best quality, these cookies will remain fresh and delicious when kept at room temperature for up to 3 days. Beyond this period, while still edible, their texture and flavor might begin to diminish slightly. Enjoy them while they are at their peak!