Acorn Nutter Butter Cookies
Acorn Nutter Butter Cookies combine crisp peanut butter wafers and creamy filling with smooth chocolate and a salty bite from the pretzel. The sweet and salty flavors keep these small bites from tasting overly sweet. Their cute acorn design fits right in with my other Nutter Butter Decorated Cookies for fall.
These little acorn cookies bring a playful touch to Thanksgiving dessert trays and fall parties. Kids may be the first to notice them, but I’ll bet adults will be right behind them, grabbing a few. Enjoy a plate of them during a family movie night or to satisfy a sweet tooth.
Acorn Nutter Butter Cookies had to happen once I started thinking beyond pumpkins for fall treats. My 2 Ingredient White Chocolate Strawberry Pumpkins and Pumpkin Cookie Dough Bites already had the pumpkin shapes covered. When I noticed that half of a Nutter Butter had just the right shape for an acorn, I knew what I wanted to make next. I love how the three designs look together, and I have a feeling this will not be the last fall shape I try.
Acorn Nutter Butter Cookies
These no-bake treats need only four ingredients and make eight decorated cookies. Each Nutter Butter is divided in half, then the broken edge is dipped in melted chocolate. A short pretzel piece forms the stem while chocolate sprinkles give the coated top the bumpy texture of an acorn cap. Since one whole Nutter Butter makes two, the recipe can easily be doubled or tripled for a larger batch. Kids can join in with the decorating, making this a fun recipe to prepare together before a party or holiday.
Timesaving Tips and Variations
A little preparation makes decorating these tasty bites easier, especially since the cookies can sometimes crack when divided. Have all the ingredients and kitchen tools ready before you start.
- Use a small serrated knife to gently saw through the cookies if they do not break cleanly by hand.
- Melt the chocolate in a narrow bowl or mug so it is deep enough for dipping without needing more candy melts.
- Separate the pretzel pieces ahead of time.
- Use milk chocolate or dark chocolate candy melts depending on the flavor you prefer.
- Replace the chocolate sprinkles with finely chopped peanuts, toffee bits, or crushed chocolate cookies.
- If the coating begins to thicken while decorating, warm it for another 10 seconds and stir before continuing.
These tips will help the chocolate and decorations stay where they belong. Do not worry if the broken edges are not perfect because the coating will cover them. They do not have to look exactly alike to be cute on the tray.
What to Serve with Acorn Cookies
Add these bite-sized treats to a fall snack board or dessert spread. Their peanut butter and chocolate flavors go well with apples, caramel, and warm drinks.
- Vanilla Caramel Apple Latte
- Peanut Butter Popcorn
- Rainbow Fruit Charcuterie Board
- Pumpkin Spice Chex Mix Recipe
The finished treats can also double as edible Thanksgiving place-setting decorations. Place one on a small dessert plate at each setting, or arrange several around the food on a fall snack board. Standing them upright on their cut edges will show off the acorn shape.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use chocolate chips instead of candy melts?
Chocolate chips can be used, but they will be thicker when melted and may remain softer after setting. Stir in a small amount of coconut oil if the chocolate is too thick for dipping. Give them extra time to set before moving them.
How long does the chocolate take to set?
The chocolate should set in about 15 to 20 minutes at room temperature. It may take longer if your kitchen is warm or humid. Place the tray in the refrigerator for a few minutes if you need the coating to firm more quickly.
How should I store Acorn Nutter Butter Cookies?
Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days. Place parchment paper between the layers to protect the chocolate caps and sprinkles. Brief chilling is fine while the chocolate sets, but avoid storing them in the refrigerator because condensation can affect the coating and soften the pretzel stems.
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Recommended Tools for Making Acorn Cookies
No special decorating equipment is needed for this recipe. A few basic kitchen tools will make it easier to divide, dip, and decorate the cookies.
Titanium Cutting Board for Kitchen, Pure Titanium/PP, Size 16”×11” | Food Grade Materials, Separate Prep Surfaces for Raw & Cooked Food, Odor Resistant, Easy to Clean, Durable Kitchen Essential
Pyrex Essentials (3-Pack) Glass Measuring Cups Set (1, 2 & 4 Cup) | For prepping, baking and cooking, preheated oven, dishwasher, freezer, and microwave safeHenckels Statement 5-Inch Serrated Utility Knife, German Engineered | Informed by 100+ Years of Mastery. Dishwasher safe, Comfortable Grip, Ideal for slicing Bread, Fruits, Vegetables & Cheeses.Measuring Cups & Spoons Set, Stackable Cups and Spoons | Nesting Measure Cups with Stainless Steel Handle, Kitchen Gadgets for Cooking & Baking (Green)365 by Whole Foods Market, Unbleached Parchment Paper, 72 Sq Ft4 Pieces Fall Serving Trays Melamine Platters | 13 X 9.7 Inch Reusable Rectangle Trays for Fall Orange Birthday Baby Shower Theme Party Supplies3 Tier Ceramic Pumpkin Serving Tray, 7Cake Mate Chocolate Sprinkles with lid – Dessert Sprinkles for Ice Cream, Cookies, and Brownies, 10.5 oz Tub (Chocolate Jimmies)Wilton Light Cocoa Candy Melts 12 Oz.
Ingredients for Nutter Butter Acorns
You can find all four ingredients in the baking and snack aisles at your local grocery store.
- Nutter Butter Cookies – The base of each acorn.
- Chocolate Melts – Creates the acorn cap and holds the stem and sprinkles in place.
- Pretzel Sticks – Forms the stems and add a salty crunch.
- Chocolate Sprinkles – Gives the chocolate caps their textured look.
How to Make Nutter Butter Acorns
Line a tray with parchment paper, then divide the Nutter Butters and pretzel sticks in half. Melt the chocolate in a small microwave-safe bowl until smooth. Dip the broken end of each Nutter Butter half into the chocolate.
Add a pretzel stem and chocolate sprinkles, then place each one on the tray. Let the chocolate set completely before serving.
These little acorns would be so good with a mug of Homemade Peanut Butter Cup Hot Chocolate. Chocolate and peanut butter in the cookie and the drink? Yes, please!
Acorn Nutter Butter Cookies
Equipment
- Small microwave safe bowl
- Tray or baking sheet
Ingredients
- 4 Nutter Butters
- ⅓ cup chocolate melts
- 4 pretzel sticks
- 2 tsp chocolate sprinkles
Instructions
- Line a tray with parchment paper. Carefully break each Nutter Butter in half, then break each pretzel stick in half to make the stems.
- Place the chocolate melts in a small microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring after each interval, until the chocolate is completely melted and smooth.
- Dip the broken end of one Nutter Butter half about ½ inch into the melted chocolate. Allow any excess chocolate to drip back into the bowl.
- Insert one pretzel half into the center of the chocolate-covered end. Set the cookie on the prepared tray and immediately add the chocolate sprinkles.
- Repeat with the remaining cookie halves. Leave the cookies at room temperature until the chocolate has completely set.
Nutritional Disclaimer
“Blogghetti” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.
Enjoy!
