Crunchy, creamy, chocolate covered peanut butter Ritz cookies are quick, delicious, and totally EASY holiday treats to make, using only a few ingredients! 
Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Ritz® Cookies are an annual Christmas family tradition for us. The recipe has been handed down from my Aunt to my Mom, and then to me. These delectable treats are incredibly FAST and EASY to make, which is perfect for this busy time of year!
Many years ago (at least 15), my Mom shared these cookies with me and told me that her sister, my Aunt Theda in Texas made them for her, and Mom raved about how good they were! I tried a couple, and sure enough, they tasted fantastic.
When I asked my Mom how to make them she told me how incredibly easy it was. I really loved my sweet Aunt… she passed away quite a few years ago, but I think of her whenever I make these goodies.
I’ve made these cookies so many times since then, but finally took pictures and decided to share the “recipe” on this blog. I added a white glaze drizzled over the top, and some red and white sprinkles for the Christmas season, but really all you need to make these is 4 ingredients! Here’s how to make a quick dozen of these yummy stacked goodies.
Scroll Down For A Printable Recipe Card At The Bottom Of The Page
How To Make Chocolate Peanut Butter Ritz Cookies
Place 12 Ritz® crackers onto a piece of parchment paper. Spread a teaspoon of creamy peanut butter onto each one. When done, top with another cracker.
Make The Dipping Chocolate
Melt 1½ cups semi-sweet chocolate chips with 1 HEAPING Tablespoon vegetable shortening in a microwave-safe bowl the microwave. Heat on High for 30 seconds. Remove the bowl and stir the chocolate. It will not be completely melted at this point.
Place the bowl back in microwave oven and heat an additional 30 seconds on High. Remove the bowl and stir the mixture again, until completely smooth.
Time To Dip Some Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Ritz Cookies!
Dip cookies, one at a time into melted chocolate mixture. I use a fork to hold the cookie, and sometimes use a spoon to help coat the entire cookie with chocolate. Let any excess chocolate drip back into bowl. Place the cookie back onto a piece of parchment paper.
Do not move the chocolate covered peanut butter Ritz cookies once you set them down. Repeat process with all of the cookies. Once the chocolate has firmed up, they are ready to eat, unless you want to decorate them.
Decorating The Cookies More?
If you want to decorate the cookies, let the cookies sit, undisturbed, until the chocolate has firmed up completely. To make an icing to decorate with, place powdered sugar in a small bowl. Add only a couple drops of water at a time to the sugar, stirring well, until the glaze has reached a drizzling consistency.
Too thin? Add additional powder sugar. Too thick? Add a drop or two of water. Use a fork to drizzle the icing over each cookie. Garnish with colored sprinkles, if desired, while glaze is still wet.
NOTE: You do not have to drizzle powdered sugar glaze on them. You can shorten the process even further by garnishing the fresh dipped chocolate cookies with candy colored sprinkles and leave off the white icing altogether if you want!
Ready To Serve!
Let the icing completely firm up at room temperature. Once chocolate and icing are totally firm, cookies can be transferred to a serving plate for everyone to enjoy!
These delicious cookies can be decorated any way you wish. When I make these and it’s NOT Christmas time, I simply leave them plain, with only the chocolate covering them, and no powdered sugar drizzle. They taste good whether you fancy them up or not!
The flavor is wonderful in these treats, with the creamy peanut butter AND the chocolate coating going so well together. They remain crunchy from the cracker “shell”. The chocolate peanut butter Ritz cookies are so good it will be hard to stay out of them. Just remember to leave at least ONE left for good ol’ Santa Claus!
I love to make these family favorites at Christmas time. They are made quickly without a lot of ingredients (a big plus), look good and taste even better! I hope you will consider making these chocolate covered peanut butter Ritz cookies a part of your holiday traditions, too!
Looking For More COOKIE Recipes?
You can find ALL of my recipes in the Recipe Index, located at the top of the page. I have lots of yummy cookie recipes, including:
Interested In More Recipes?
Thank you for visiting this website. I appreciate you using some of your valuable time to do so. If you’re interested, I publish a newsletter 2 times per month (1st and 15th) with all the latest recipes, and other fun info. I would be honored to have you join our growing list of subscribers, so you never miss a great recipe!
There is a Newsletter subscription box on the top right side (or bottom) of each blog post, depending on the device you use, where you can easily submit your e-mail address (only) to be included in my mailing list.
You Can Also Find Me On Social Media:
Facebook page: The Grateful Girl Cooks!
Pinterest: The Grateful Girl Cooks!
Instagram: jbatthegratefulgirlcooks
Recipe Source: My Mom and Aunt Theda
- 24 buttery crackers (I used Ritz® crackers)
- 12 teaspoons creamy peanut butter
- 1½ cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 Tablespoon vegetable shortening , use heaping Tablespoon!
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- Water ( a couple drops at a time)
- Place 12 crackers onto a piece of parchment paper. Carefully spread a teaspoon of creamy peanut butter onto each one . When done, top with another cracker.
- Melt semi-sweet chocolate chips and vegetable shortening in the microwave. Heat on High for 30 seconds. Remove bowl and stir chocolate. Place bowl back in microwave oven and heat an additional 30 seconds on High. Remove bowl and stir mixture until smooth.
- Dip cookies, one at a time into melted chocolate mixture. Use a fork to hold the cookie, and a spoon to help coat entire cookie with chocolate. Let excess chocolate drip back into bowl, then set cookie onto parchment paper. Do not move cookie once you set it down. Repeat process with all cookies. Let the cookies sit, undisturbed, until chocolate has firmed up completely.
- Place powdered sugar in a small bowl. Add only a couple drops of water at a time to the sugar, stirring well, until the glaze has reached a drizzling consistency. Use a fork to drizzle the icing over each cookie. Garnish with colored sprinkles, if desired, while glaze is still wet.
- Let the icing completely firm up at room temperature. Once chocolate and icing are firm, cookies can be transferred to serving plate. Enjoy!
Here’s one more to pin to your Pinterest boards!
Hi JB. When Chip was six & Chris was 4 I made these the first time. I use the candy melts from Wilton which I melt in my double boiler. Before they are set I sprinkle the top with toffee bits. I have also often used Club crackers along with Ritz. I have used Nutella, sometimes mixed with peanut butter. Chip is 51 & Chris is 48. Still an absolute favorite!
Hi, Carol! Ooh.. I think toffee bits sprinkled on top would be delicious! My mom first tasted them when her older sister made them years and years ago. Then she started making them for us (and still makes them). Family traditions are wonderful, aren’t they? Thanks for taking the time to write, friend. Merry Christmas!