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I discovered this amazing no bake treat last Christmas and now my family begs me to make them every weekend. These Chocolate Peanut Butter Ritz Cookies are pure magic combining buttery crackers creamy peanut butter fluffy marshmallow cream and rich chocolate. Add some sparkly sprinkles and you've got the perfect treat for any occasion. Best part? They take just minutes to make.
Why My Family Goes Crazy For These
Every time I make these treats they disappear within hours. The salty sweet combo is absolutely addictive and that mix of crunchy and creamy textures is just perfect. Since there's no baking involved I can whip them up even when my kitchen is super busy. My kids love helping me decorate them with different toppings and honestly they're so simple anyone can make them.
What Goes In These Little Bites of Heaven
- Ritz Crackers: These buttery little crackers are the secret to that perfect sweet and salty bite.
- Creamy Peanut Butter: Get the smooth kind it spreads like a dream on the crackers.
- Marshmallow Crème: This makes everything extra special and gives such a wonderful gooey texture.
- Chocolate: Spring for good chocolate here I love using semi sweet but milk chocolate works great too.
- Sprinkles: The fun part pick your favorites to match any occasion.
My Foolproof Method
Let me walk you through exactly how I make these delicious treats:
First lets get everything ready. I grab my parchment paper line a big baking sheet and count out my crackers. Set up a little workspace cause once we start you'll want everything within reach.
Next up the filling. Take equal amounts of peanut butter and marshmallow creme. I usually start with 1 cup each. Mix them together until they're perfectly combined. Sometimes I sneak a taste test just to make sure it's right.
Now for my favorite part assembling. Lay out your bottom crackers and drop a good spoonful of filling on each one. I use my fingers to gently spread it around leaving a tiny border at the edges. Top with another cracker and press ever so slightly you'll feel it spread to the edges.
Here's my secret for perfect chocolate coating. Chop your chocolate into small pieces it'll melt more evenly. Pop it in a microwave safe bowl. Heat for 30 seconds stir really well then another 15 seconds. Keep stirring between each short burst. Once it's almost melted add a spoonful of coconut oil and stir until silky smooth.
Dipping time get ready to get messy. Drop each sandwich into the chocolate. I use two forks to flip it around making sure every bit is covered. Let the extra chocolate drip off by tapping your fork on the bowl edge.
Quick quick add your sprinkles while the chocolate is still wet. I like doing small batches of 4-5 at a time so the chocolate doesn't set before the sprinkles can stick.
Into the fridge they go. Give them about 20-30 minutes to set completely. You'll know they're ready when the chocolate looks nice and matte.
Once they're set arrange them in your container with wax paper between layers. Try not to stack them too high or the bottom ones might get squished.
Smart Storage Tips
Want to keep these treats fresh? I've learned some tricks over the years. If your kitchen stays cool keep them in a sealed container on the counter they'll last about 5 days. My kitchen gets pretty warm so I pop mine in the fridge. Just remember to pull them out 15 minutes before serving they taste way better at room temperature. Planning ahead for a party? Make a big batch and freeze them layered with wax paper they'll keep for 3 months but trust me they never last that long in my house.
Fun Ways To Switch Things Up
I love playing around with different versions of these treats. Sometimes I use almond butter for fancy grown up parties or sunflower butter when my niece with peanut allergies visits. Around Christmas I crush up candy canes to sprinkle on top it looks so pretty. Want to get really fancy? Try drizzling white chocolate over the dark chocolate coating. My kids went wild when I used golden Oreos instead of Ritz once totally different but absolutely delicious.
Tips From Years of Making These
Let me share what I've learned from making hundreds of these treats. Always let your peanut butter come to room temperature it'll mix so much better with the marshmallow cream. Don't try to rush the chocolate melting slow and steady wins here. Keep your sprinkles nearby once you start dipping you need to work fast. Line your tray with parchment not wax paper trust me on this one I learned the hard way. And here's my biggest tip spring for good chocolate it really makes a difference in the final taste.
Why I Make These Every Holiday
These treats have saved me so many times during the holiday rush. When I need something quick for a cookie exchange or last minute guests these never fail to impress. They look absolutely beautiful on a holiday dessert table especially with red and green sprinkles. I love packaging them in pretty boxes tied with ribbon for teacher gifts everyone thinks they came from a fancy candy shop. Plus they're so budget friendly I can make several batches without breaking the bank especially when I catch Ritz crackers on sale.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → What's the best chocolate for dipping?
Use good quality melting chocolate or chocolate chips. Dark, milk, or semi-sweet all work well. Avoid chocolate bars that don't melt smoothly.
- → Why won't my chocolate set properly?
Make sure to let excess chocolate drip off completely when dipping. Chill treats in fridge or freezer until fully hardened. Warm room temperature can slow setting.
- → Can I use crunchy peanut butter?
Creamy peanut butter works best for smooth filling. Crunchy can make spreading difficult and may break crackers when assembling sandwiches.
- → How do I prevent crackers from breaking?
Spread filling gently and don't press too hard when making sandwiches. Handle carefully when dipping in chocolate.
- → Why did my marshmallow mixture get too sticky?
Mix peanut butter and marshmallow cream thoroughly but don't overmix. If too sticky, chill briefly before spreading on crackers.