The soft chew of peanut butter cookies meets the iconic melt of Cadbury mini eggs in these festive Easter treats. With pockets of gooey chocolate scattered throughout and a crisp golden edge, these cookies are as photogenic as they are delicious.
Perfect for Easter baskets, springtime gatherings, or just an indulgent afternoon treat, these cookies strike the ideal balance of salty peanut butter and sweet chocolatey crunch. They’re easy to whip up, totally kid-approved, and sure to become a seasonal staple in your baking lineup.
Full Recipe:
1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
1 1/4 cups packed light brown sugar
1/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
1 large egg
1/4 cup milk
2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp kosher salt
3/4 tsp baking soda
2 cups all-purpose flour
9 oz bag crushed Cadbury mini eggs (divided use)
1 1/2 cups peanut butter chips (divided use)
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
Place Cadbury mini eggs in a zip-top bag and crush using a rolling pin. Reserve 3/4 cup for the dough and the rest for topping.
In a mixing bowl, cream together butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until fluffy.
Beat in peanut butter, egg, milk, and vanilla until fully combined.
Gradually mix in baking soda, salt, and flour until dough forms.
Fold in 1 cup peanut butter chips and 3/4 cup crushed Cadbury eggs.
Scoop 3-tbsp portions of dough onto baking sheets. Top each with remaining peanut butter chips and crushed eggs. Slightly flatten each dough ball.
Bake for 11–12 minutes or until edges are golden. Let cool on sheets for 2 minutes, then transfer to a rack to cool completely.
Prep Time: 15–20 minutes | Cooking Time: 11–12 minutes | Total Time: 26–32 minutes
Kcal: Approx. 180–200 kcal per cookie (based on ~20 cookies) | Servings: 20 jumbo cookies
Why Cadbury Egg Peanut Butter Cookies Are the Ultimate Easter Treat
When the Easter season rolls around, it brings with it an explosion of pastel colors, spring-inspired flavors, and a craving for nostalgic holiday candies. Among the most iconic of these treats is the Cadbury Mini Egg — those tiny candy-coated milk chocolate eggs that find their way into baskets, bowls, and baked goods every year. Combine them with the rich, nutty goodness of classic peanut butter cookies, and you’ve got a cookie that hits every flavor note imaginable: sweet, salty, crunchy, chewy, and buttery all at once.
Cadbury Egg Peanut Butter Cookies are more than just a fun twist on a traditional dessert. They’re a celebration of spring flavors, an easy recipe to involve kids in the kitchen, and a showstopping addition to any Easter dessert table. The visual appeal of candy shell flecks and melted chocolate pockets adds a festive pop, while the soft and chewy texture of the cookie base keeps people coming back for seconds (and thirds).
What Makes These Cookies So Special
What sets these cookies apart from other peanut butter cookie variations is their dual role as both a comfort food and a seasonal delight. Peanut butter cookies already have a reputation for being crowd-pleasers — with their balanced blend of sweet and savory, plus a satisfying soft bite. But when you fold in crushed Cadbury Mini Eggs, you add a playful, unexpected element of crunch and color that instantly elevates them from everyday to extraordinary.
These cookies also play on texture in a big way. You’ve got the softness of the cookie dough, the melty richness of milk chocolate, and the subtle crunch from the crushed candy coating. It’s a medley of textures that creates a perfect mouthfeel in every bite. No two cookies are exactly the same either — the crushed candy pieces vary in size and color, making each one a tiny edible artwork.
A Treat for All Ages
These cookies are universally loved — and that’s no exaggeration. Adults appreciate the nostalgic appeal of Cadbury eggs, while kids are naturally drawn to the bright pastel colors and candy shell crunch. Because the recipe is simple and doesn’t require any special equipment, it’s also a fantastic activity for families to enjoy together. Letting kids crush the Cadbury eggs with a rolling pin or decorate the tops with extra candy bits gives them a sense of ownership and excitement in the baking process.
Whether you’re making a batch to enjoy during a quiet Easter weekend or you’re planning to bake a big batch for school parties, spring potlucks, or brunch dessert tables, Cadbury Egg Peanut Butter Cookies are guaranteed to stand out.
The Science Behind the Cookie
Let’s take a moment to appreciate the food science at work in this deceptively simple cookie. Using creamy commercial peanut butter — not the natural, oil-separated kind — helps maintain consistency in the dough. The added fat from the peanut butter and the butter itself results in a tender, moist crumb. The brown sugar adds a caramel depth that pairs exceptionally well with the peanut butter and enhances chewiness, thanks to its molasses content.
Crushing the Cadbury eggs instead of leaving them whole isn’t just an aesthetic choice; it’s functional, too. Smaller pieces melt into the dough, creating hidden chocolate pockets, while the larger shards provide that satisfying crunch and vivid candy color on top. This dual-layer experience — part melt, part crunch — gives the cookie its memorable character.
Another smart trick is chilling the dough before baking. This prevents the cookies from overspreading in the oven and allows the flour to fully absorb the wet ingredients, leading to thicker, chewier cookies that hold their shape and visual appeal.
Perfect Pairings and Serving Suggestions
Cadbury Egg Peanut Butter Cookies don’t need much else to shine, but if you’re serving them as part of a larger spread or themed event, there are some simple ways to enhance the experience.
Pair them with a glass of cold milk for the ultimate comfort food moment. The milk helps cut through the richness of the peanut butter and balances the sweetness of the Cadbury eggs. Coffee and tea are also excellent companions, especially if you enjoy a bold brew to offset a sugary bite.
For more decadent gatherings, consider turning them into ice cream sandwiches with vanilla or chocolate ice cream. Their soft texture holds up well in the freezer, and the contrast of hot and cold adds a gourmet touch.
If you’re creating a cookie tray for an Easter celebration, consider mixing these with shortbread, lemon bars, or sugar cookies for variety in color and flavor. These peanut butter beauties will be the highlight, guaranteed.
Storage Tips to Keep Them Fresh
One of the best things about these cookies is that they store beautifully. Once cooled completely, store them in an airtight container at room temperature with a slice of bread — yes, bread — to keep them soft. The bread releases just enough moisture into the container to prevent the cookies from drying out.
You can also freeze the baked cookies for up to three months. Layer them between parchment paper in a freezer-safe container, and just let them thaw at room temperature when you’re ready to enjoy.
Want to prep ahead? Freeze the dough balls instead. They can go straight from freezer to oven — just add an extra minute or two to the bake time.
Creative Customizations and Substitutes
Though this recipe is pretty perfect as-is, it’s also incredibly flexible. If Cadbury Mini Eggs are hard to find, especially outside of Easter season, substitute them with other candy-coated chocolates like M&M’s or even chopped chocolate-covered almonds for a bit of nuttiness.
For peanut allergies or variety, swap the peanut butter with almond or cashew butter — just avoid using the oily, natural versions. If you’re feeling experimental, white chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, or even caramel bits can stand in for peanut butter chips to create exciting new flavor combos.
Add-ins like crushed pretzels or flaked coconut could also give your cookies a different twist while maintaining that sweet-salty balance. The core dough is a blank canvas for creativity, and these adaptations make the recipe suitable for different palates or dietary restrictions.
Conclusion: Cookies That Celebrate Joy, Flavor, and Nostalgia
Cadbury Egg Peanut Butter Cookies are more than just a seasonal treat — they’re a joyful expression of what makes baking so beloved. They offer the warmth of homemade comfort food, the playfulness of childhood candies, and the satisfaction of a well-balanced cookie that hits every craving in one bite.
Whether you bake them to celebrate springtime with your family, hand them out as gifts, or sneak a few late-night cookies for yourself, one thing’s certain: these cookies will bring a smile to every face. From the vibrant candy specks to the melty chocolate interior, they’re a delicious reminder that baking can be both simple and spectacular.