If you’re looking for a delightful and charming treat that combines simplicity with fun, the Easy Acorn Kiss Cookies Recipe is just what you need. These cute little acorn-shaped cookies bring together the perfect balance of creamy peanut butter, rich dark chocolate, and buttery cookies in a way that’s as enjoyable to make as it is to eat. Whether you’re crafting these for a festive gathering, an afternoon snack, or just because, these cookies are bound to impress without demanding too much time or effort in the kitchen.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering the right ingredients for the Easy Acorn Kiss Cookies Recipe couldn’t be easier. Each component plays a vital role, from the smooth peanut butter flavor to the chocolatey richness and crisp cookie base, all working together to create a delightful texture and taste experience.
- 12 mini Nutter Butters: These are the base of your acorn, providing that classic peanut butter cookie flavor and sturdy shape.
- 24 dark chocolate Hershey’s kisses: Perfect for the “nut” top of your acorn, adding deep chocolatey goodness.
- ½ cup peanut butter chips (heaping and divided): Essential for melting, these give you the glue to assemble and a creamy peanut butter flavor boost.
How to Make Easy Acorn Kiss Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Cookies
Carefully pull each mini Nutter Butter cookie in half, exposing the frosting side, and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Position them with the frosting side up because this frosting will need to be smoothed out for your acorn base.
Step 2: Smooth Out the Frosting
Take a butter knife and gently scrape off the frosting from each cookie half, creating a flat, smooth surface. While you can eat or discard the scraped-off filling, having that smooth base is key to your acorns sticking together properly.
Step 3: Prep the Chocolate Kisses
Unwrap all of your dark chocolate Hershey’s kisses, setting one next to each prepared cookie half; these will form the top part of your acorns and bring a luscious chocolate touch.
Step 4: Arrange Peanut Butter Chips
Separate 24 peanut butter chips aside—these will be the “stems” of your acorns. Place them near the cookie halves and kisses to stay organized for assembly.
Step 5: Melt the Peanut Butter Chips
Place the remaining peanut butter chips in a shallow, microwave-safe bowl and melt them in 30-second bursts. Stir well after each interval until the mixture is smooth and silky. Be careful not to overheat, as peanut butter chips can seize quickly.
Step 6: Attach the Chocolate Tops
Dip each chocolate kiss into the melted peanut butter chips and firmly press it onto the smooth side of a Nutter Butter half. This forms the iconic rounded part of your acorn cookie with an irresistible chocolate coating.
Step 7: Add the Peanut Butter Chip Stems
Allow your assembled acorns to rest for five minutes, then dip each peanut butter chip into the melted mixture and press it onto the opposite side of the cookie—the stem completes the acorn look, making these treats absolutely adorable.
Step 8: Chill to Set
Place your completed acorn cookies in the refrigerator for 10-15 minutes. Chilling allows the peanut butter coating to set, ensuring your cookies hold their shape beautifully for serving and eating.
How to Serve Easy Acorn Kiss Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
Sprinkle a light dusting of cocoa powder or a pinch of sea salt over the finished acorns to add a subtle extra layer of flavor and display. A few chopped nuts around the plate can enhance the nutty theme and add some lovely crunch.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair wonderfully with a warm cup of coffee, a creamy hot chocolate, or even a refreshing glass of milk. The rich chocolate and peanut butter flavors balance perfectly with these classic beverages, making snack time extra satisfying.
Creative Ways to Present
Arrange the acorn cookies on a rustic wooden platter with some autumn leaves or seasonal decorations for a charming presentation. You can also pack them in small gift boxes tied with twine for a thoughtful homemade gift that shows your baking spirit.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store your Easy Acorn Kiss Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days to keep them fresh and delicious. Make sure to separate layers with parchment paper to avoid sticking.
Freezing
If you want to keep these delightful cookies longer, you can freeze them for up to one month. Arrange the acorns in a single layer on a baking sheet, freeze until solid, and then transfer to a freezer-safe container with parchment paper between layers.
Reheating
When ready to enjoy after freezing, let the cookies thaw at room temperature for about 30 minutes. Avoid microwaving as it can melt the chocolate and peanut butter chips excessively, altering texture and taste.
FAQs
Can I use different types of cookies other than Nutter Butters?
Absolutely! While mini Nutter Butters provide that perfect peanut butter flavor and sturdy base, you can experiment with other peanut butter-flavored cookies or sandwich cookies to suit your taste.
What can I substitute for the dark chocolate Hershey’s kisses?
If dark chocolate isn’t your favorite, milk chocolate or even white chocolate kisses can be used to create a different flavor profile and look, making the recipe versatile and customizable.
Is it necessary to scrape off the frosting from the cookies?
Yes, removing the frosting provides a smooth surface that helps the chocolate kiss and peanut butter chips adhere better when dipped in melted peanut butter chips. This step ensures your acorns hold together well.
Can I make this recipe vegan or allergy-friendly?
With some adjustments, yes! Look for vegan or allergy-friendly peanut butter chips and chocolate kisses. Also, ensure the cookies you choose fit your dietary needs. Keep in mind that texture and flavor might vary slightly.
How long will the cookies stay fresh once assembled?
For the best taste and texture, enjoy the Easy Acorn Kiss Cookies within three days when stored at room temperature in an airtight container. Beyond that, the cookies might begin to lose their crispness.
Final Thoughts
There is something truly magical about creating treats like the Easy Acorn Kiss Cookies Recipe that bring joy not just through flavor but the whole experience of making and sharing. These adorable acorns are a testament to how a few simple ingredients, a little creativity, and a touch of patience can come together for a snack that both kids and adults love. So don’t hesitate—give this recipe a try and watch your kitchen fill with smiles and sweet aromas!
Print
Easy Acorn Kiss Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Description
Easy Acorn Kiss Cookies are a fun and festive treat combining mini Nutter Butter cookies, Hershey’s Kisses, and peanut butter chips to create an adorable acorn-shaped snack. This no-bake recipe involves simple melting and assembling steps perfect for quick holiday baking or kid-friendly projects.
Ingredients
Cookies
- 12 mini Nutter Butters
- 24 dark chocolate Hershey’s Kisses
Toppings
- ½ cup peanut butter chips (heaping and divided)
Instructions
- Prepare the Cookies: Gently pull the mini Nutter Butter cookies in half and place them frosting side up on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Remove Frosting: Use a butter knife to scrape off the frosting from each cookie half to create a smooth cookie surface. You can discard or eat the removed frosting as you prefer.
- Unwrap Kisses: Unwrap all the dark chocolate Hershey’s Kisses and place one kiss next to each cookie half on the baking sheet.
- Arrange Peanut Butter Chips: Separate 24 peanut butter chips from the total and place one next to each cookie half and kiss combination.
- Melt Remaining Chips: Place the remaining peanut butter chips in a shallow, microwave-safe bowl and microwave for 30 seconds. Stir well.
- Heat as Needed: If the chips are not fully melted, heat in additional 10 second increments, stirring between each, being careful not to overheat to avoid seizing.
- Assemble Acorns: Dip each Hershey’s Kiss into the melted peanut butter chips and press it firmly onto the smooth side of a Nutter Butter cookie half to form the acorn cap.
- Add Stems: Let the acorn cookies sit for about 5 minutes, then dip each peanut butter chip into the melted mixture and press it onto the other side of the cookie to serve as the stem.
- Set in Refrigerator: Place the assembled acorn cookies in the refrigerator for 10-15 minutes to allow the melted chips to set completely before serving.
Notes
- You can eat or discard the frosting removed from the Nutter Butters based on preference.
- Do not overheat the peanut butter chips or they can seize up and become grainy.
- If you don’t have mini Nutter Butters, you can try using other peanut butter sandwich cookies.
- Refrigerating the cookies after assembly helps the melted peanut butter chips harden and hold the pieces together.
- This recipe is quick and requires no baking, making it ideal for last-minute treats.
