Chocolate Ritz Cracker Cookies are an easy, crowd-pleasing holiday treat. Crisp Ritz crackers become irresistible when filled with sweetened peanut butter and dipped in chocolate—perfect for cookie platters and festive gatherings.
Buttery Ritz crackers get even better with chocolate, peanut butter and a sprinkle of holiday creativity. These are fun to make, simple to decorate, and always a hit at parties.
Why add Chocolate Ritz Cracker Cookies to your holiday lineup
- Just five ingredients and very easy to prepare—ideal when you want quick, impressive treats.
- Completely no-bake: assembly and dipping are fast, so you can finish them in under an hour.
- Chocolate and peanut butter is a classic combination that almost everyone loves.
Ingredients
— Crackers: 80 Ritz crackers (about three sleeves) to make 40 sandwich cookies.
— Peanut butter: 1½ cups creamy peanut butter (use chunky or flavored if you prefer).
— Sweetener: ⅓ cup powdered sugar and 2 tablespoons maple syrup to sweeten and thicken the filling. Honey can be substituted, but the texture will be thinner if you skip the powdered sugar.
— Vanilla: 1 teaspoon vanilla extract for flavor.
How to make Chocolate Ritz Cracker Cookies
Line a counter or baking sheet with parchment paper and arrange 40 single Ritz crackers upside down.
In a mixer, beat together the peanut butter, powdered sugar, maple syrup, and vanilla until smooth and creamy.
Transfer the peanut butter mixture to a piping bag and snip a small opening, or simply spread it with a knife onto the 40 prepared crackers.
Top each filled cracker with another cracker to make 40 sandwiches.
Melt your dipping chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl (see notes). Dip each cracker sandwich into the melted chocolate, using a fork to turn it until fully coated. Shake or wipe off excess chocolate from the bottom with the fork before placing the cookie back onto the parchment.
If you want sprinkles, add them immediately while the chocolate is still wet. Use colored melting chocolate to pipe decorations or create small holiday shapes on top.
Allow the chocolate to set completely, then serve and enjoy.
Do you need piping bags?
Piping bags make filling quicker and neater, but a knife works just fine. A resealable plastic bag with the corner snipped off is an easy substitute if you don’t have a piping bag.
Chocolate Ritz Cracker Cookies
Ingredients
- 80 Ritz crackers
- 1 ½ cups creamy peanut butter
- ⅓ cup powdered sugar
- 2 TBSP maple syrup
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
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Prep a work area with parchment paper and lay 40 single Ritz crackers upside down.
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Mix the peanut butter, powdered sugar, maple syrup, and vanilla until creamy. Pipe or spread the filling onto the prepared crackers.
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Top each filled cracker with another cracker to form sandwiches.
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Melt the chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl, using short intervals and stirring between each until smooth.
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Dip each sandwich into the melted chocolate, remove excess, and place on parchment to set.
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Add sprinkles or piped decorations while the chocolate is still wet. Let the cookies cool completely before serving.
Notes
- Melting tip: Use a glass or porcelain bowl and melt slowly. Microwave on low power or defrost setting in 30-second bursts, then in 15-second intervals, stirring between each until smooth.
- To tint white chocolate for tree decorations, add a small amount of food coloring to melted white candy melts. If your melted chocolate is too thick, stir in ½ teaspoon shortening or coconut oil at a time until it reaches a good dipping consistency.
- Storage: These keep well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks or in the freezer for up to two months.
Nutrition
Freezing and storage
Store cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks, or freeze for up to two months. Thaw in the fridge before serving for best texture.
How to melt chocolate without seizing
Use a glass or porcelain bowl that retains heat. Melt chocolate slowly in short intervals, stirring after each. Remove the bowl from the microwave while small bits remain and let residual heat finish the melting. If needed, add ½ teaspoon of shortening or coconut oil to thin and smooth the chocolate.
For dipping, use a fork or a dipping tool to remove excess chocolate, then set the treats on parchment to cool completely.
Melting chocolate: chips vs. melting wafers
Melting wafers are convenient for dipping because they melt smoothly. Chocolate chips work well too—add ½ teaspoon of shortening or coconut oil per cup of chips to improve flow. Add more in small increments if the chocolate remains thick.
What seized chocolate looks like
Seized chocolate becomes thick, grainy and resistant to stirring. It may or may not smell burned. If chocolate seizes, stir in 1 teaspoon of shortening or coconut oil and let it sit briefly to soften, then try to reincorporate the fat. Depending on how badly it seized, this can sometimes recover the chocolate for dipping or decorating.
More peanut butter and chocolate ideas
- Fudge peanut butter cookie cups
- Oreo peanut butter cookies
- Peanut butter and chocolate cookie cups
- Peanut butter oatmeal M&M cookies
- Peanut butter M&M cookies
These Ritz cracker cookies are filled with sweetened peanut butter, dipped in chocolate, and dressed up with festive sprinkles or piped decorations—an easy, tasty addition to any holiday dessert spread.
