If you’re looking for a quick, fun, and ridiculously tasty holiday treat, this Reese Cup Ritz Crackers Christmas Cookies Recipe is the answer. I absolutely love how these little sandwich cookies combine salty, sweet, and creamy into one perfect bite. They’re super easy to make, and the best part? They’re a guaranteed crowd-pleaser during the holidays — my family goes crazy for them every single time.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Incredibly Simple: It takes just minutes to prep, perfect for those last-minute holiday moments.
- Perfect Sweet and Salty Combo: The Ritz crackers add a buttery crunch that balances the gooey Reese cups beautifully.
- Customizable Fun: Spice it up with different sprinkles or chocolates to match your holiday vibe.
- Crowd Favorite: These cookies disappear fast at parties – trust me, you’ll want to make extras!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The ingredient list for this Reese Cup Ritz Crackers Christmas Cookies Recipe is wonderfully simple, making it easy to shop for. Just a heads up: I recommend using Reese Cup Thins instead of the classic cups because their smaller size fits perfectly on the cracker without the mess.
- Ritz crackers: These crunchy, buttery crackers have just the right size and texture for holding the candy.
- Reese Cup Thins: I learned the hard way that the classic Reese’s cups are too thick for these cookies, so stick with the thins for a perfect melt.
- High-quality melting chocolate: Using a good quality chocolate always makes a difference in flavor and coating smoothness.
- Holiday sprinkles: Adds a festive flair and a little extra crunch—choose your favorites!
Variations
I always like to mix things up a bit depending on my mood or who I’m sharing these with. Feel free to play around with different chocolates or topping ideas. Your kitchen, your rules!
- Peanut Butter Swap: Try a thin layer of peanut butter on the crackers for an extra creamy layer. I tried this once, and it added a delicious twist.
- White Chocolate Coating: I’ve had better results melting white chocolate with a double boiler to avoid seizing, which can happen easily in the microwave.
- Nutty Sprinkles: Top with crushed nuts for added texture – my family loves the crunchiness it brings.
- Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free crackers for those with dietary restrictions — still just as tasty!
How to Make Reese Cup Ritz Crackers Christmas Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Get the Oven Ready and Arrange Crackers
Start by preheating your oven to 300°F. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper — this helps keep clean-up easy and prevents sticking. Place 12 Ritz crackers, bottom side up, spaced out on the sheet. This ensures each cookie gets evenly warmed in the oven without crowding them.
Step 2: Melt Reese Cup Thins Gently
Pop one Reese Cup Thin on top of each cracker. Transfer your cookie sheet to the oven and bake for 1-2 minutes. Keep a close eye—when the Reese cups just start to soften and get glossy, remove the pan. You don’t want them to fully melt and run off the crackers. This quick warming helps them stick perfectly for the sandwich.
Step 3: Assemble Your Cookie Sandwiches
Now comes the fun part! Gently place another Ritz cracker on top of each melted Reese cup. Press down lightly to seal the candy inside. Don’t press too hard or the chocolate will squish out. Pop the cookie sandwiches into the fridge for 15-30 minutes to let the chocolate set firm again — this step is key to avoid a messy coating later.
Step 4: Melt Your Coating Chocolate With Care
While those chill, melt your chocolate in the microwave using 20-second bursts at 50% power. Stir in between until mostly melted, then keep stirring without heating more to avoid overheating. I’ve learned that burnt chocolate is thick and unusable, so patience here pays off big!
Step 5: Dip and Decorate
Dip each cookie sandwich into the melted chocolate, letting the excess drip off. I like to use two forks to lift and scrape off the extra chocolate underneath—this stops puddles when you set them down. Scatter holiday sprinkles on top while the chocolate is still wet for that perfect festive look.
Step 6: Let Them Set
Place the coated cookies back on parchment paper and let the chocolate harden. You can speed this up by chilling them in the fridge for about 15 minutes. Once set, they’re ready to serve or package as wonderful homemade gifts!
Pro Tips for Making Reese Cup Ritz Crackers Christmas Cookies Recipe
- Choose the Right Reese Cups: The thin Reese Cups melt just right without getting messy—classic cups are too bulky for this.
- Watch the Melting Closely: When warming Reese cups in the oven, timing is everything—don’t let them fully melt or you’ll have a chocolate mess.
- Use Two Forks for Dipping: This little trick helps drain the excess chocolate and keeps your work surface tidy.
- Avoid Overheating Chocolate: I’ve ruined batches by rushing the microwave—slow and steady wins the chocolate-melting race!
How to Serve Reese Cup Ritz Crackers Christmas Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
I love topping these cookies with colorful holiday sprinkles — it adds a cheerful crunch and makes them look so festive! Sometimes I go for crushed peppermint or edible glitter, depending on the occasion. It really amps up the fun factor.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair beautifully with Christmas hot cocoa or a spiced eggnog latte. I’ve found they also make a great companion to a holiday cheese platter if you’re mixing sweet and savory on your dessert table.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I like arranging these cookies on a beautiful holiday-themed platter with fresh pine sprigs or cranberries around the edges. Wrapping a set of four or six in clear cellophane tied with a ribbon also makes an easy and charming gift for friends or neighbors.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store these cookies in an airtight container layered with parchment paper to keep them from sticking together. They stay fresh for up to a week at room temperature—though in my house, they never last that long!
Freezing
You can freeze the assembled cookie sandwiches before dipping in chocolate or after if you’re in a pinch. Just wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag. I found freezing after coating works best for maintaining their shape and taste.
Reheating
These cookies are best enjoyed cold or at room temperature. If you want a little softness, briefly warm them for 5-10 seconds in the microwave, but be careful not to melt the chocolate coating too much.
FAQs
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Can I use regular Reese’s cups instead of the thin ones?
While regular Reese’s cups are delicious, I don’t recommend using them for this recipe because they’re thicker and melt unevenly, which makes a mess and can break the cracker sandwich. Stick to Reese’s Cup Thins for the best results.
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How do I prevent the chocolate from seizing when melting?
The key is gentle, low heat. If you’re microwaving, do it in short 20-second bursts at half power, stirring well each time. Avoid any water contact with the chocolate, especially when working with white chocolate, as that causes it to seize instantly.
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Can I make these cookies ahead of time for a party?
Absolutely! You can prepare the sandwiches and keep them refrigerated for up to 2 days or freeze them for longer storage. Just add sprinkles right before serving to keep them looking fresh and vibrant.
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What’s the best chocolate to use for dipping?
I prefer high-quality melting chocolate or couverture because it melts smoothly and hardens with a nice shine. Chocolate chips technically work, but they sometimes need a bit of added butter or oil to get that perfect coating texture.
Final Thoughts
Honestly, the Reese Cup Ritz Crackers Christmas Cookies Recipe has become my go-to holiday treat because it’s so quick, fun, and absolutely delicious. It’s one of those recipes I love sharing with friends — like, “you’ve got to try this!” It’s simple enough for beginners but impressive enough to wow holiday guests. So next time you’re prepping for a party or craving a festive sweet snack, give these a shot. I promise, you’ll be glad you did!
Print
Reese Cup Ritz Crackers Christmas Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 12 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Reese Cup Ritz Cracker Christmas Cookies are a festive and easy-to-make treat perfect for the holiday season. Featuring a delightful combination of salty Ritz crackers, creamy Reese cup thins, and rich melted chocolate, these cookies are topped with colorful holiday sprinkles for a fun and delicious finish.
Ingredients
Base Layer
- 24 Ritz crackers
- 12 Reese Cup Thins (classic Reese cups are too big)
Chocolate Coating
- 12 oz. high quality melting chocolate (about 2 cups)
Topping
- Holiday sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Base: Preheat the oven to 300°F. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper and arrange 12 Ritz crackers on it, placing them bottom side up to prepare for the chocolate topping.
- Melt Reese Cup Toppings: Place one Reese cup thin candy on each Ritz cracker. Bake in the preheated oven for 1-2 minutes until the Reese cups just begin to melt and look glossy, being careful not to over-melt to avoid running chocolate.
- Assemble Sandwiches: Remove the cookie sheet from the oven and place another Ritz cracker on top of each melted Reese cup. Gently press to seal the sandwich with the softened chocolate. Chill in the refrigerator for 15-30 minutes to allow the chocolate to solidify.
- Melt Chocolate for Coating: Melt the 12 oz. of high quality melting chocolate in a microwave in 20-second increments at 50% power, stirring thoroughly between each session. When most of the chocolate is melted, stir without further heating to avoid overheating and ruining the chocolate.
- Dip Cookies: Using two forks, dip each assembled Ritz and Reese cup sandwich into the melted chocolate, allowing excess chocolate to drip off. Scrape off extra chocolate from the bottom to prevent puddles. Transfer dipped cookies onto parchment paper and immediately sprinkle with holiday sprinkles.
- Cool and Set: Repeat the dipping process for the remaining cookies. Allow the dipped cookies to cool and the chocolate coating to harden, either at room temperature or by placing them in the refrigerator for faster setting.
Notes
- Allow the Reese cups to cool and re-set before dipping in the chocolate to prevent messy melting and swirl patterns in white chocolate.
- Work slowly and use low heat when melting chocolate; overheating causes the chocolate to become thick and unusable.
- White chocolate is prone to seizing and melts better using a double boiler rather than the microwave.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 14 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 11 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 8 mg