Prep Time: 45 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Chill Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Yields: About 36 cookies
Skill Level: Easy
Author: [Your Website/Blog Name]
The Easiest, Most Addictive Holiday Cookie
In the bustling, flour-dusted landscape of holiday baking, there exists a secret weapon: the humble Ritz Cracker. These Ritz Cracker Christmas Cookies, often affectionately called “Peanut Butter Balls” or “Mock Peanut Butter Cups,” are a legendary no-bake treat that has graced cookie platters for generations. They are the perfect contradiction: irresistibly simple yet astonishingly delicious.
Imagine a crisp, flaky, and subtly salty Ritz cracker. Now, sandwich it with a sweet, creamy peanut butter filling. Finally, enrobe it in a smooth, rich cloak of chocolate and finish with a festive sprinkle. The result is a symphony of textures and flavors—salty and sweet, crunchy and smooth, rich and light—that will shatter all your expectations. This recipe is a lifesaver during the busy holiday season, requiring zero baking and ingredients you likely already have in your pantry. They are the treat that will have everyone, from children to grandparents, asking, “What are these?” and then immediately reaching for another.
Why This Recipe is a Holiday Essential
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No-Bake Brilliance: Free up your oven for other holiday projects! This entire recipe comes together on the stovetop and in the refrigerator.
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The Perfect Flavor Balance: The genius of this cookie lies in the contrast. The saltiness of the cracker cuts through the sweetness of the peanut butter and chocolate, creating a perfectly balanced bite that is far less cloying than many traditional holiday sweets.
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Unbeatable Texture: The initial snap of the chocolate gives way to the flaky, crisp cracker and the dense, creamy peanut butter center. It’s a textural experience that is deeply satisfying.
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Incredibly Forgiving: There’s no risk of over-mixing or over-baking. This is a fun, stress-free recipe that is perfect for baking with little helpers in the kitchen.
Ingredients
For the Peanut Butter Filling & Sandwiches:
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1 sleeve (about 36 crackers) Ritz Crackers
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½ cup (125g) creamy peanut butter*
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2 tablespoons (28g) unsalted butter, softened
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½ cup (60g) powdered sugar
For the Chocolate Coating:
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12 ounces (about 2 cups) high-quality semi-sweet chocolate chips or melting wafers**
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1 tablespoon coconut oil or shortening (optional, for a smoother dip)
For Festive Toppings (Choose Your Favorites):
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Crushed peanuts
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Sprinkles (holiday-themed jimmies or nonpareils)
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Crushed pretzels
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Flaky sea salt
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Drizzled white chocolate
*For the best texture and flavor, use a standard, no-stir peanut butter like Jif or Skippy. Natural peanut butter that separates may result in a greasy, less stable filling.
**Melting wafers (like Candiquik or Ghirardelli) are highly recommended as they are specifically formulated for dipping and set with a beautiful snap. If using chocolate chips, the coconut oil/shortening is crucial for thinning it to a dipping consistency.
Equipment You’ll Need
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Double boiler or a heatproof bowl set over a pot of simmering water
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Baking sheets
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Parchment paper or wax paper
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Two small bowls for the peanut butter mixture and toppings
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Hand mixer or a sturdy spatula
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Fork or dipping tools
Instructions
Step 1: Create the Peanut Butter Sandwiches
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Make the Sweetened Peanut Butter Filling: In a medium bowl, combine the creamy peanut butter, softened butter, and powdered sugar. Using a hand mixer on medium speed (or a spatula and some arm strength), beat the mixture until it is completely smooth and well-combined. It will have a thick, play-dough-like consistency.
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Assemble the Sandwiches: Lay out half of the Ritz crackers (about 18), flat-side up. Scoop about ¾ to 1 teaspoon of the peanut butter mixture and roll it into a small ball. Place the ball in the center of a cracker. Gently press a second cracker on top, flat-side down, and squeeze until the peanut butter filling spreads evenly to the edges. The goal is a thin, even layer of peanut butter between the two crackers. Repeat with the remaining crackers and filling.
*Pro Tip: Work efficiently but gently. If the peanut butter mixture becomes too soft from the heat of your hands, pop the bowl in the refrigerator for 10 minutes to firm up. This will make rolling much easier._
Step 2: Chill the Sandwiches
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Place the assembled peanut butter cracker sandwiches on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
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Transfer the baking sheet to the freezer for at least 20 minutes. This step is non-negotiable! A cold sandwich will prevent the crackers from separating when dipped in the warm chocolate and will help the chocolate set much faster.
Step 3: Melt the Chocolate
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Use a Double Boiler: Create a double boiler by filling a small saucepan with 1-2 inches of water and bringing it to a gentle simmer. Place a heatproof bowl on top, ensuring the bottom of the bowl does not touch the water. Add the chocolate chips (or wafers) and coconut oil/shortening to the bowl.
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Melt Gently: Stir the chocolate frequently with a spatula until it is completely smooth and fluid. Once melted, remove the bowl from the heat. If using a microwave, heat the chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl in 20-second intervals, stirring thoroughly between each, until smooth.
*Crucial Note: Avoid getting any steam or water into your chocolate, as this can cause it to “seize” and become a grainy, solid mess._
Step 4: The Dip and Decorate
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Dip the Sandwiches: Remove the chilled cracker sandwiches from the freezer. Working with one sandwich at a time, place it on the tines of a fork and carefully lower it into the melted chocolate. Submerge it completely.
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Drain Excess Chocolate: Lift the sandwich out of the chocolate, and gently tap the fork on the edge of the bowl to allow the excess chocolate to drip off.
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Add Toppings Immediately: Carefully slide the chocolate-dipped cookie onto a fresh parchment-lined baking sheet. While the chocolate is still wet, immediately add your chosen toppings. If you’re using multiple toppings, it’s best to do a few of one kind, then a few of another.
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Repeat: Continue dipping and decorating all the sandwiches, working relatively quickly. If the chocolate in the bowl begins to thicken, you can gently re-warm it for a few seconds.
Step 5: The Final Set
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Allow the chocolate to set completely. You can leave the tray at cool room temperature for about an hour, or for a faster set, place the entire tray in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes.
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Once the chocolate is firm to the touch, your Ritz Cracker Christmas Cookies are ready to be served or packaged!
Serving and Storage
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Serving: These cookies are best served at room temperature, where the cracker is crisp and the chocolate has a perfect snap. Arrange them on a holiday platter for a stunning display.
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Storage: Store the finished cookies in a single layer in an airtight container at cool room temperature for up to 5 days. They can be refrigerated for up to 2 weeks, but allow them to come to room temperature before serving for the best texture. They can also be frozen for up to 3 months.
Customization Ideas
The beauty of this recipe is its versatility.
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Nut-Free Version: Substitute the peanut butter with SunButter (sunflower seed butter) for a school-safe, nut-free alternative.
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Different Fillings: Use Nutella, cookie butter, or a mixture of cream cheese and powdered sugar for a different flavor profile.
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White Chocolate Coating: Dip the sandwiches in white chocolate instead of semi-sweet for a sweeter, snow-white appearance.
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Themed for Other Holidays: Use orange and black sprinkles for Halloween, or pastel sprinkles for Easter and spring.
Nutrition Information (Approximate, per cookie)
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Calories: 105 kcal
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Total Carbohydrates: 10g
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Dietary Fiber: 1g
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Sugars: 7g
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Protein: 2g
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Total Fat: 7g
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Saturated Fat: 3g
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Cholesterol: 2mg
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Sodium: 55mg
Nutrition information is an estimate and can vary significantly based on the specific brands of ingredients used and the amount of chocolate coating. Values calculated using standard Ritz crackers, Jif peanut butter, and semi-sweet chocolate chips.