Nothing beats the charm and deliciousness of a treat that’s both fun to make and to eat. The Peanut Butter Penguin Cookies Recipe is exactly that — adorable, tasty little penguins you'll want to make again and again. They bring smiles and are perfect for any cookie lover looking for something a bit unique.

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 Peanut Butter Penguin Cookies Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Peanut Butter Penguin Cookies Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Peanut Butter Penguin Cookies Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

From the very first time I made these penguins, I was hooked. They’re not just cookies; they're a little edible art project with flavors and textures that come together perfectly. I love how each bite delivers that creamy peanut butter, rich dark chocolate, and a satisfying crunch.

Adorable Presentation: These penguin shapes make cookie time especially fun for kids and adults alike.
Perfect Flavor Combo: The mix of peanut butter and dark chocolate is irresistibly rich and smooth.
Simple Ingredients: You likely have most of what you need already, which makes this a quick, satisfying project.
Make-Ahead Friendly: These cookies keep well chilled, so you can prep ahead for parties or holiday treats.

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

Every ingredient plays a key role in balancing flavor, texture, and that penguin look we all want. Here’s a mini breakdown to help you shop smarter and understand each component.

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: Melts smoothly to coat the cookies, pairing beautifully with peanut butter’s richness.
Creamy Peanut Butter: Adds creaminess and depth of flavor, also helps stabilize the chocolate coating.
Salted Butter: Enhances flavor and contributes to that silky mouthfeel when melted in the mix.
Nutter Butter Cookies: The star base — their texture and peanut taste are essential for the penguin shape and flavor.
Mini Nilla Wafers: Perfectly sized to create the penguin belly, adding a gentle crunch and light sweetness.
Brown Reese’s Pieces: Used as wings to complement the peanut butter flavor and bring color contrast.
Orange Reese’s Pieces (halved): The bright “beak” and “feet” details that really bring the penguins to life.
Candy Eyes: Of course, the personality comes from these adorable little eyes!

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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

One of my favorite things about the Peanut Butter Penguin Cookies Recipe is how you can tweak it to fit your style or ingredients on hand. Sometimes I swap the candy eyes for chocolate chips if I'm in a pinch, or add a little sea salt sprinkle on top for an extra punch.

Variation: I once used white chocolate chips in place of dark chocolate for a sweeter angle, and honestly, it was just as delightful—gives the penguins a soft, creamy look too!

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

Step 1: Melting the Chocolate and Peanut Butter Magic

Start by combining the dark chocolate chips, creamy peanut butter, and salted butter in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for 30 seconds, then stir well. Keep heating in 10-15 second bursts, stirring each time, until everything’s silky smooth. Don’t overheat it! The peanut butter makes it a bit forgiving, but burnt chocolate is a no-go.

Step 2: Dipping Those Nutter Butters

Grab a Nutter Butter and dip it fully into the chocolate mixture. I like to hold it with a fork underneath and give it a gentle shake so the excess drips off. Place the cookie on a parchment-lined board or wire rack to set. This is where patience is your friend — the chocolate needs to start firming up before decorating.

Step 3: Decorating Your Penguins

Now for the fun part! Stick a mini Nilla wafer in the middle bottom of the cookie for the tummy. Add two candy eyes at the top half, then place half an orange Reese’s piece (cut side down) for the nose. For feet, position two orange Reese’s halves horizontally just below the tummy. Finally, press two brown Reese’s pieces on each side below the cookie’s indent for wings. Repeat this with each cookie until you've made your whole little colony.

Step 4: Chill & Serve

Pop your penguins into the fridge for at least 3 hours to set completely — overnight is even better. Serve chilled if you want firm chocolate, or at room temperature if you like a little softness (just be prepared for slightly chocolatey fingers!).

Top Tip

The first time I tackled this recipe, I underestimated the prep time for the candies — rushing to open candy eyes, separate Reese’s pieces, and cut orange ones mid-decorating slowed me down. Having all your candies prepped and ready is a game changer that makes the decorating flow smooth and stress-free.

Prep All Decorations First: Open candy eyes, sort candy pieces, and halve the orange Reese’s before dipping cookies. It saves time and frustration.
Don’t Overheat Chocolate: Microwave in increments to avoid seizing — a smooth melt makes dipping so much easier.
Use a Wire Rack If Possible: It lets excess chocolate drip off cleanly and results in neater cookies.
Plan a Chill Time: Give your penguins plenty of time to set up so they hold together perfectly when you serve.

How to Serve Peanut Butter Penguin Cookies Recipe

peanut butter penguins - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually skip extra garnishes because these penguins stand out all on their own. But for a party, a sprinkle of crushed peanuts around the serving plate adds a lovely texture and echoes the peanut butter flavor beautifully.

Side Dishes

Pair these cookies with a cold glass of milk or a warm cup of coffee or cocoa. For a holiday brunch, they go nicely alongside some fresh fruit or even a citrusy salad to cut through all that richness.

Creative Ways to Present

For birthdays or winter-themed gatherings, I arrange these penguins standing in a “waddle” formation on a frosty-looking plate with fake snow (or coconut flakes) around. Kids love lining them up like a penguin parade, and it makes a festive centerpiece!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep leftover penguins in a sealed container in the fridge to preserve that crisp chocolate coating and freshness. They’ll stay good for about a week — beyond that, they can start to soften and lose their charm.

Freezing

If you want to save some for later, freezing works great. I wrap them gently in parchment and store them in airtight containers. When ready to serve, I thaw them overnight in the refrigerator to keep the texture just right.

Reheating

Since these cookies are best enjoyed cold or at room temp, I don’t recommend heating them. But letting them sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving takes the chill off and softens everything slightly without any mess.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I substitute peanut butter with another nut butter?

You can, but peanut butter’s distinct flavor is key to these cookies’ character. Almond or cashew butter may work but will change the taste and texture, so try a small batch first.

What if I don’t have candy eyes?

No worries! You can swap candy eyes for small chocolate chips or even mini marshmallows with a dot of melted chocolate for pupils. It’s a fun way to make the penguins with what you have.

How long do these cookies last?

Stored in an airtight container in the fridge, these cookies last up to a week. They can be frozen for up to 6 months, just be sure to thaw them in the fridge before serving.

Can kids help make these cookies?

Absolutely! Kids love decorating the penguins, especially arranging the candy eyes and Reese’s pieces. Just help with the chocolate melting and dipping for safety.

Final Thoughts

I genuinely think these Peanut Butter Penguin Cookies Recipe are a fantastic mix of cute and delicious — perfect for holidays, kids’ parties, or just a cozy baking afternoon. The smiles they bring are worth every minute spent in the kitchen. Give them a try, and let me know how your penguin parade turns out!