If you’re anything like me and love the combo of sweet, salty, and crunchy all in one bite, then let me introduce you to the ultimate little holiday treat — the Reese Cup Ritz Cookies Recipe. This fan-freaking-tastic recipe takes simple Ritz crackers and Reese Cup Thins and turns them into irresistible cookie sandwiches dipped in smooth chocolate and topped with festive sprinkles. It’s the kind of snack that disappears fast at any party, and trust me, once you try it, you’ll be hooked.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Effortless Elegance: With just a handful of ingredients and simple steps, you’ll whip up fancy-looking treats in no time.
- Perfect Balance of Flavors: The salty crunch of Ritz crackers combined with creamy, melty Reese Cups is pure magic.
- Family Favorite: My folks and friends can’t get enough of these – perfect for gift-giving or holiday parties.
- Versatile and Festive: You can easily customize the sprinkles and chocolate coating for every season or celebration.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this Reese Cup Ritz Cookies Recipe lies in simple, everyday ingredients that come together for big flavor. I always recommend using good quality melting chocolate to get that gorgeous shiny coat and smooth finish.
- Ritz crackers: Their buttery, flaky texture is the perfect salty base — I always pick the original brand for that classic flavor.
- Reese Cup Thins: These smaller, thinner versions melt just right without making a big mess—trust me, classic Reese Cups are just too bulky here.
- High-quality melting chocolate: This is what makes the cookie dip luscious and smooth; I prefer dark or milk, but white chocolate works if you’re extra careful while melting.
- Holiday sprinkles: These add the perfect pop of color and texture; get creative with different shapes and colors depending on the occasion!
Variations
I love that this recipe is so forgiving and flexible! Over the years, I’ve played with different chocolate types and toppings — it’s fun to make it your own and keep your guests guessing.
- White chocolate dip: I discovered this trick when I swapped milk chocolate for white — the flavor is sweeter, so I like to add sea salt flakes on top to balance it out.
- Peanut butter twist: For extra indulgence, spread a thin layer of peanut butter on the Ritz crackers before adding the Reese Cups, and watch your friends swoon.
- Gluten-free option: Use gluten-free crackers to make these friendly for those who avoid gluten, and they still taste just as amazing.
- Seasonal sprinkles: Swap sprinkles for crushed candy canes at Christmas or toasted coconut for a tropical vibe — seasonal tweaks keep the recipe fresh year-round.
How to Make Reese Cup Ritz Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prep and Arrange Your Base
Start by preheating your oven to 300°F and lining a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Place 12 Ritz crackers face down — yes, the buttery underside facing up — on your sheet. This little detail helps the Reese Cups grip better when melting.
Step 2: Gently Melt the Reese Cups
Place a Reese Cup Thin on each cracker and pop the tray into the oven for about 1 to 2 minutes. Keep a close eye because you don’t want full melty chaos — just enough for the tops of the Reese Cups to look glossy and soften. I learned the hard way that going over this melts the chocolate too much and ruins the sandwich.
Step 3: Sandwich and Chill
Pull the pan out and place another Ritz cracker on top of each softened Reese Cup, pressing down very gently to seal them together. Then, pop these into the fridge for 15-30 minutes to let everything firm back up — this step is key to avoid meltdown disasters later when dipping.
Step 4: Melt Chocolate for the Dip
When your sandwiches are set, it’s chocolate-dipping time! Use the microwave on 50% power and heat your melting chocolate in 20-second bursts, stirring in between. Stop heating once most of it’s melted and just keep stirring — this prevents your chocolate from burning or becoming grainy. (I once lost half a batch because I ignored this, so trust me!)
Step 5: Dip and Decorate
Using two forks, dip each cookie sandwich into the melted chocolate, allowing the excess to drip off. I like to scrape the bottom gently against the bowl so I don’t end up with puddles on my parchment paper. Quickly sprinkle with holiday sprinkles before the chocolate hardens.
Step 6: Let Them Set
Set your cookies on parchment and refrigerate until the chocolate coating is hard — about 15 to 20 minutes doing the job fast. Now, you’re ready to dive into these chocolaty, salty, crunchy bites that taste like pure joy.
Pro Tips for Making Reese Cup Ritz Cookies Recipe
- Keep an Eye on the Oven: That 1-2 minutes melting time is delicate—stay close so your Reese Cups don’t go from glossy to lava.
- Patience Is Your Best Friend: Letting the sandwich chill before dipping prevents chocolate running everywhere — I cannot stress this enough!
- Control Your Heat: Melting chocolate slowly and stopping to stir saves you from sticky heartbreaks.
- Work in Small Batches: Doing a few cookies at a time makes dipping smoother and prevents chocolate from cooling too fast.
How to Serve Reese Cup Ritz Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
I usually keep it festive yet simple with classic red and green holiday sprinkles, but when I’m feeling fancy, edible gold dust or crushed peppermint add a magical touch. Sprinkles not only look cute but also add a little more crunch and fun texture.
Side Dishes
These cookies have plenty of personality on their own, but I love serving them alongside a warm cup of coffee, hot cocoa, or a chilled glass of milk — especially for kids. At holiday parties, a cheese board or fruit tray rounds things out nicely without overpowering the sweet snacks.
Creative Ways to Present
For gatherings, I’ve arranged these cookies in festive shapes like wreaths or stacked them like mini towers on tiered trays. Wrapping individual cookies in clear cellophane with a ribbon makes for charming homemade gifts that your friends will rave about.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge, layering the cookies between parchment paper sheets to keep them from sticking. They stay perfect for up to a week — though honestly, they rarely last that long in my house!
Freezing
Freezing works well if you want to prep early. I wrap each sandwich individually in plastic wrap, then put them all in a freezer bag. Thaw in the fridge overnight before dipping in chocolate for best texture and shine.
Reheating
Thankfully, these don’t really need reheating, but if your chocolate coating gets too firm, sitting at room temperature for 15 minutes brings them back to that perfect, slightly soft bite.
FAQs
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Can I use regular Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups instead of the Thins for this recipe?
You can, but I recommend the Reese Cup Thins because regular cups are bigger and harder to sandwich without excess melting and mess. The thinner cups soften evenly and fit between the crackers perfectly.
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What’s the best way to melt the chocolate without seizing?
Use a microwave on 50% power in short bursts, stirring in between to prevent overheating. If using white chocolate, a double boiler works better to avoid seizing, which is when chocolate becomes grainy and hard.
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Can these cookies be made ahead for parties?
Absolutely! You can prep the sandwiches and freeze them, then dip in chocolate just before your event, or fully assemble and refrigerate. Just keep them airtight to preserve crunch and freshness.
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Do I have to refrigerate these cookies?
Chilling is important after sandwiching and dipping to help the chocolate set properly. Once completely set, you can store them at room temperature for a day or two, but I prefer the refrigerator to keep the filling firm, especially in warmer climates.
Final Thoughts
I absolutely love how this Reese Cup Ritz Cookies Recipe comes together without fuss but delivers such a wow-factor every time. When I first tried this, I was amazed at how just two snacks transformed into a charming treat that everyone begs me to make again. So if you want to impress your family or wow guests with minimal effort, this recipe is your new best friend. Grab those Ritz crackers and Reese Cup Thins, and let the delicious fun begin!
Print
Reese Cup Ritz Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 12 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Reese Cup Ritz Cracker Christmas Cookies are a festive and indulgent treat combining salty and sweet flavors. Layers of crunchy Ritz crackers sandwich gooey Reese Cup Thins, then dipped in melted chocolate and decorated with holiday sprinkles for a perfect holiday cookie that’s simple to make and sure to impress.
Ingredients
Base:
- 24 Ritz crackers
- 12 Reese Cup Thins (classic Reese cups are too big)
Chocolate Coating:
- 12 oz. high quality melting chocolate (about 2 cups)
Decoration:
- Holiday sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat and arrange crackers: Preheat your oven to 300°F. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper and place 12 Ritz crackers on it, bottom side facing up, to prepare for melting the Reese Cups.
- Melt Reese Cups slightly: Place one Reese Cup Thin on each of the crackers on the cookie sheet. Bake in the oven for 1-2 minutes, just until the tops of the Reese Cups start to melt and become glossy, but do not let them melt fully to avoid running chocolate.
- Assemble sandwiches: Remove the pan from the oven and gently place another Ritz cracker on top of each Reese cup, pressing lightly so the chocolate seals the sandwich. Transfer the assembled sandwiches to the refrigerator for 15-30 minutes to allow the chocolate to harden.
- Melt coating chocolate: While the sandwiches cool, melt the high quality chocolate in the microwave in 20-second increments at 50% power, stirring in between. When most of the chocolate is melted, stir thoroughly to finish melting without overheating, as overheated chocolate becomes unusable.
- Dip sandwiches in chocolate: Using two forks, dip each sandwich into the melted chocolate, allowing excess to drip off. Scrape the bottom of the sandwich to prevent pooling chocolate, then place on parchment paper and sprinkle with holiday sprinkles for decoration.
- Set chocolate coating: Repeat dipping for all sandwiches and allow the chocolate to cool and harden. To speed up the process, place them in the refrigerator until fully set.
Notes
- Allow the Reese cups to fully cool and re-set after baking before dipping in chocolate to prevent messy melting and swirling, especially when using white chocolate.
- Work slowly and with low heat when melting chocolate to avoid overheating, which causes the chocolate to become thick, dry, and uncoatable.
- If melting white chocolate, consider using a double boiler method for better results, since white chocolate can seize easily when microwaved.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 190
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 21g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 10mg