There’s something delightfully fun about making treats that double as adorable little critters, and these **Chocolate Peanut Butter Penguin Cookies Recipe** are absolutely that. Each bite melts in your mouth with creamy peanut butter and rich chocolate, all wrapped around a crisp cookie that just makes snack time feel special.

The image shows a white plate filled with small penguin-shaped chocolate treats. Each treat has a smooth dark chocolate oval base with two white round candy eyes near the top. In the center is a round beige cookie acting as the penguin's belly. Below the belly, three small orange candy pieces serve as the penguin's feet, and one orange candy piece is placed above the belly for the beak. Two small round chocolate pieces are placed on the sides for the penguin's wings. The background is a white marbled surface, with some candies and a woman's hand holding a penguin treat visible near the plate. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Chocolate Peanut Butter Penguin Cookies Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Chocolate Peanut Butter Penguin Cookies Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Chocolate Peanut Butter Penguin Cookies Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I honestly can’t get enough of how whimsical these cookies look and how simple they are to make. It’s not often you find a recipe that’s both a creative craft and something that tastes genuinely scrumptious, but this Chocolate Peanut Butter Penguin Cookies Recipe hits that balance perfectly.

Adorable Presentation: These penguins make any gathering instantly festive and spark conversations because who can resist cute cookie critters?
Simple Ingredients: Mostly pantry staples that you probably already have — no complicated shopping needed.
Perfect for All Skill Levels: Whether you’re baking with kids or need a fun party favor, these are straightforward and fun to assemble.
Delicious Flavor Combo: Classic peanut butter and chocolate harmony with a crisp cookie base that satisfies every craving.

The image shows many oval-shaped treats that look like little birds. Each treat has a smooth dark brown chocolate layer covering the whole top, forming the bird’s body. On the center of each bird is a round, light brown cookie acting as the bird’s belly. Two small white round candies with black dots are placed on the top part to make the eyes. An orange oval candy is used as the beak right under the eyes. At the bottom of each bird, two more orange oval candies are placed side by side to look like feet. On each side of the body, two dark brown oval candies show the wings. All the treats are placed close together on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

This recipe plays with the wonderful contrast of creamy and crunchy textures, plus flavors that just know how to blend. Each ingredient has a purpose in bringing these penguin cookies to life, and a few tips below will make your shopping and prep a breeze.

Flat lay of a small white ceramic bowl filled with glossy dark chocolate chips, a small white ceramic bowl of smooth creamy peanut butter, a small white ceramic bowl containing salted butter cubes, a neat stack of whole Nutter Butter cookies with their embossed peanut shape visible, a small white ceramic bowl of Mini Nilla Wafers, a small white ceramic bowl holding whole brown Reese’s pieces, a small white ceramic bowl with halved bright orange Reese’s pieces showing their creamy filling, and a small white ceramic bowl filled with candy eyes, all arranged in perfect symmetry and balanced proportions, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Dark chocolate chips: The rich chocolate melts evenly with peanut butter, giving you that luscious coating we all adore.
Creamy peanut butter: Stick with creamy rather than chunky for a smooth dip that holds your penguin together without fuss.
Salted butter: Adds gentleness and balances sweetness, while helping achieve the perfect glossy texture.
Nutter Butter cookies: These cookies form your little penguin’s body—crisp, peanut buttery, and just the right size.
Mini Nilla Wafers: Perfect for the belly, adding a subtle vanilla crunch that brightens the cookie’s flavor.
Brown Reese’s pieces: These become the penguin’s wings, their color a perfect match for the chocolate.
Orange Reese’s pieces: Cut in half and used as the nose and feet, they add that lovely pop of color and peanut buttery zest.
Candy eyes: They bring the penguins to life, making every cookie super cute and kid-friendly.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love playing around with these penguins depending on the occasion. Sometimes I'll swap out candy eyes with tiny chocolate chips if I’m running low, or toss a sprinkle of sea salt on top of the chocolate for a sweet-salty pop. You can absolutely make these your own!

Variation: Once, I added a little peppermint extract to the chocolate for a cool twist during the holidays — it was a hit at the kids' party.
Dietary Swap: Use dairy-free chocolate and vegan butter to make this recipe friendly for dairy-free diets without skimping on that creamy texture.
Seasonal Flair: Change up the Reese’s pieces to other colors for themed events—red and green for Christmas, or pastel for spring gatherings.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Chocolate Peanut Butter Penguin Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Melt Your Chocolate Perfectly

Start by combining your dark chocolate chips, creamy peanut butter, and salted butter in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for 30 seconds and then stir well. I like to heat it in short 10-15 second bursts afterward, stirring thoroughly each time. This slow process helps prevent overheating, which can make the chocolate seize up. You want a glossy, smooth blend that's easy to dip your cookies into.

Step 2: Dip and Assemble Your Penguin Body

Grab your Nutter Butter cookie and dunk it into the chocolate mixture until fully coated. Use a fork underneath to gently shake off any excess, so it doesn’t pool and get messy. Set it on a wire rack or parchment-paper-covered surface to dry. This step can feel a bit sticky, but setting up stations — chocolate bowl, cookies, toppings — helps streamline the process.

Step 3: Decorate Your Penguin’s Belly and Face

Stick a mini Nilla wafer on the bottom half of the cookie to create that cute, round penguin tummy. Then press on two candy eyes at the top half and position half an orange Reese’s piece, cut side down, right in the center for the beak. This is where your tiny art skills come in handy and make each cookie unique.

Step 4: Add Wings and Feet

Place two brown Reese’s pieces on either side below the indent as wings. For the feet, place two halves of the orange Reese’s pieces horizontally just below the belly wafer. These little touches bring your penguin to life — almost like they could waddle off the tray!

Step 5: Chill and Set

Pop your penguin cookies into the fridge for at least 3 hours or even overnight to let the chocolate set firm. This is a crucial step because it helps avoid melty messes when you serve them, especially if you want that satisfying snap when you bite in.

Top Tip

From my experience making these Chocolate Peanut Butter Penguin Cookies Recipe, having your decorating ingredients prepped and ready before dipping makes all the difference. It keeps everything flowing smoothly and prevents frustration halfway through.

Prepare Your Toppings First: Cut orange Reese’s pieces in half and open candy eyes before you start dipping cookies. You don’t want to rush trying to find a candy eye with melted chocolate on your fingers!
Don’t Overheat Chocolate: Take your time melting to avoid grainy texture or burnt chocolate; stirring often helps distribute heat evenly.
Use a Wire Rack: Letting your dipped cookies set on a wire rack allows air circulation all around so the chocolate hardens with a nice shine.
Extra Candy Pieces: Grab a few extras in case you drop some—trust me, it happens!

How to Serve Chocolate Peanut Butter Penguin Cookies Recipe

chocolate peanut butter cookies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually keep it simple with just the candy eyes and Reese’s pieces as garnishes because the penguins feel complete as is. But once, I lightly dusted powdered sugar around them to mimic ‘snow’ on a winter platter. It was a charming touch that got compliments!

Side Dishes

Pair these cookies with a cold glass of milk or a warm cup of coffee or cocoa for the ultimate cozy snack. They also work wonderfully alongside fruit platters or even festive cheese boards if you want a sweet contrast.

Creative Ways to Present

I’ve made a “penguin parade” on a long tray for holiday parties — lined up in neat rows with little paper snowflakes sprinkled around. It turns heads every time and the kids love lining them up before they eat them!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once chilled, I keep the penguins in an airtight container in the fridge — they last about a week perfectly. Leaving them at room temperature is doable if you plan to eat them quickly, but the chocolate softens, and things can get a little messy.

Freezing

These cookies freeze beautifully! I wrap them carefully in wax paper between layers and store them in a sealed container or freezer bag for up to 6 months. When ready, thaw overnight in the fridge to keep everything intact.

Reheating

You really don’t need reheating with these penguins, but if you want to slightly soften the chocolate, I’ll set them out at room temperature for about 10 minutes before serving. This way the chocolate isn’t cold and hard but still holds shape well.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use peanut butter chips instead of regular peanut butter?

Regular creamy peanut butter works best in this Chocolate Peanut Butter Penguin Cookies Recipe to create a smooth, melty coating that sticks nicely to the cookies. Peanut butter chips don’t melt the same way and might not give you that glossy texture or smooth dip.

How do I prevent the chocolate from seizing during melting?

Make sure to microwave in short intervals, stirring well between each heating. Avoid overheating by keeping the heat low and constant stirring helps distribute warmth evenly, preventing the chocolate from getting grainy or clumpy.

Can I make these penguin cookies ahead for a party?

Absolutely! These cookies are perfect for making a day or two in advance. Just assemble them, chill thoroughly, and then store in an airtight container in the fridge until party time. They stay fresh and look impressive.

What if I can’t find Nutter Butter cookies?

Nutter Butters have a unique peanut butter flavor and shape that’s ideal for the penguin body, but if you can’t find them, look for any similar peanut butter sandwich cookies. Just make sure the size works well for decorating.

Final Thoughts

These Chocolate Peanut Butter Penguin Cookies Recipe hold a special place in my heart because they’re not just tasty—they’re joyful to make. I’ve shared them at birthdays, winter holidays, and lazy weekend afternoons, and every time they bring smiles across the room. I hope you have as much fun making them as I do and enjoy sharing these little edible penguins with your favorite people.