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Whip up these simple Ritz Cookies that everyone seems to go crazy for. All you’ll need are crackers, some peanut butter, and plenty of chocolate. Skip the oven. The result? Crunchy, creamy, and sweet in every bite.
Why You'll Love This
That sweet meets salty combo is what makes these stand out. Blending smooth peanut butter, Ritz crackers, and chocolate is so easy but the taste pops. Perfect for gift bags or showing up at parties. Folks always ask how to make them.
Stuff You'll Need
- Sprinkles: Toss some if you want to fancy them up
- Chocolate: 2 cups chopped into bits
- Peanut Butter: Use 1 cup of the creamy type
- Crackers: 60 Ritz, you’ll need 2 for every cookie
- Paper: To line your pan
- Sugar: 1 cup powdered kind
Simple How-To Guide
- Let them set:
- Chill in the fridge for 45 minutes till the chocolate firms up.
- Throw on pretty sprinkles:
- Sprinkle fast while the chocolate’s still wet so they stick.
- Dip in chocolate:
- Dunk each cracker sandwich in melted chocolate using a fork. Gently shake off what drips.
- Melt the chocolate:
- Pop chocolate in the microwave for 30 seconds at a time. Stir until it’s glossy and smooth.
- Firm them up:
- Freeze the trays for 15 minutes. Dipping goes way smoother.
- Make sandwiches:
- Spoon some peanut butter mix on every cracker and press a second one on top.
- Spread out crackers:
- Cover your pan with paper. Line up 30 crackers ready to fill.
- Mix up your filling:
- Blend powdered sugar with peanut butter until it’s silky and lump-free.
Why They're Awesome
Crunch stays in every cracker. The peanut butter is sweet but not over the top, thanks to the sugar. Chocolate keeps all the layers together. You won't turn on your oven. You’ll be sitting down to snack in about an hour.
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Switch It Up
Use dark, milk, or even white chocolate for something different. Swap in almond butter if you’re not into peanuts. Dress them up with holiday sprinkles. Some folks toss coconut or nuts on top for a twist.
Tips for Nailing It
Stick with classic peanut butter—natural stuff gets too runny. For smoother melted chocolate, toss in a dab of coconut oil. Freeze your cookie sandwiches before dunking so they don’t fall apart. Don’t rush—give each step time to set up right.
How to Store
Keep them in a sealed container and they’ll stay good for a week on your counter. Want to save them longer? Freeze for up to 3 months. Slip paper in between so they don’t get stuck together. Let thaw a bit before digging in.
Smart Tricks
Lay paper under cookies before dipping so cleanup’s easy. If the chocolate thickens, zap it another 10 seconds. Move fast with sprinkles before the chocolate dries. Make a big batch if you’re sharing—they disappear quick.
Super Chocolate Hacks
Chop up your chocolate so it melts nice and quick. Don’t let any water near it or it’ll seize up. Thick chocolate? Add a splash of oil. Too runny? Blend in more chocolate. Stir nonstop as you dip so it stays glossy.
Let the Kids Join
Let kids help put the sandwiches together and add sprinkles. Keep them away from the hot melted chocolate though. It’s a good kitchen project to learn with. Have some extras—they’ll sneak a few during prep.
Gift Giving Ideas
Stack in a cute box with some paper in between layers. Wrap see-through so everyone can admire them. Make different colors for different holidays. Drop in jars with lids for teacher presents. Pop in a note about what’s in them if you’re sharing.
Quick Fix Tips
Trouble dipping? If chocolate’s hard, heat it 10 more seconds. If the filling's too squishy, blend in extra sugar. Crackers crumbling? Slow down and be gentle. Want extra flair? Drizzle on a second color of melted chocolate.
Snack Time Winner
Pop in lunch bags—they stay tasty all day. Awesome as after-school snacks. Take hiking—they won’t melt like candy. Try minis by snapping crackers in half. Just right for little hands to grab.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- → Can I use different chocolate?
Absolutely! Pick your favorite—dark, milk, or white chocolate all work. Dark adds a rich taste, milk’s classic, and white looks fancy. Want a mix? Go for dark on the bottom and drizzle white on top. Just stick with real chocolate, not candy melts—they melt and coat better. Feeling creative? Use gourmet chips or chopped candy bars. Melt slow and steady so it stays smooth and creamy.
- → Best way to keep them?
Keep them at room temp in a sealed container for about a week. Need longer storage? Pop them in the fridge, and they’ll stay good for two weeks. Stack with wax paper between layers to avoid sticking. Metal tins keep them fresher than plastic. Live somewhere warm? Fridge is a must—soft chocolate's no fun. Let them sit out for 10 minutes before munching so they're not too cold. Keep them far from smelly foods—crackers absorb odors fast.
- → Are these gluten-free?
Not with regular Ritz crackers—they're made with wheat. But don’t worry, you can sub in gluten-free butter crackers and they’ll turn out great! Check your chocolate too—some brands sneak in gluten. Same with peanut butter, though most plain ones are fine. This idea works with all kinds of crisp crackers, so try your favorite. It won’t taste exactly like Ritz, but it'll still be delicious.
- → Can I use almond butter?
Definitely! Any nut or seed butter works—almond’s perfect if you're avoiding peanuts. Cashew butter gets super creamy, and sunflower seed butter's a good nut-free choice. Just make sure it’s not too runny, or it’ll squeeze out. Thicker spreads stay put better. Natural ones might need a mix before spreading. Add a tiny bit of powdered sugar to thicken if needed. Spread it generously to balance the chocolate coating.
- → Do they freeze okay?
Freeze them? You bet! Keep them fresh up to three months. Layer them in a freezer-safe box with wax paper in between. Skip plastic bags—they might crush the cookies. Let them thaw overnight in the fridge. The chocolate might look a bit off when they first thaw, but it’ll fix itself as they warm up. Making holiday snacks? Double the batch and freeze some for later. Just don’t freeze if you used natural peanut butter—it can get weird when frozen.
Conclusion
Craving peanut butter snacks? Try whipping up peanut butter blossoms or a batch of creamy fudge. Looking for something fresher? A no-bake peanut butter pie totally hits the spot.