Nutter Butter Love Bug Cookies
Nutter Butter Love Bug Cookies are the kind of festive, no-bake treat that instantly grabs attention on a dessert table, and they go perfectly with Nutter Butter Valentine Cookies. They take a classic peanut butter cookie and turn it into a tiny, edible work of art using bright candy melts and fun sprinkles. They’re ideal for Valentine’s Day parties, after-school treats, or holiday dessert trays.
The best part about these “love bugs” is that they’re a completely no-bake recipe. You don’t have to worry about preheating the oven or measuring flour; you just melt, dip, and decorate. Kids will enjoy decorating the sweet and salty treats as much as they will love eating them.
I can’t believe how adorable these Love Bug Nutter Butters turned out, and the family devoured them. I may have to make them again in February, along with some Strawberry White Chocolate Bark. Maybe I’ll even surprise the family with a few Cinnamon Roll Hearts for breakfast, too. These treats are a perfect way to share a little extra sweetness with my favorite people.
Nutter Butter Love Bug Cookies
These easy-to-make love bug cookies come together by dipping peanut butter cookies in colorful candy melts, stacking them to create a playful “bug” shape, and decorating them with sprinkles, pretzel antennae, and candy details.
The process may feel more like crafting than baking, making it easy to get creative with each cookie. Every love bug ends up with its own personality, which is part of what makes this recipe so fun to make and share.
Timesaving Tips and Variations
Decorating these cookies is the most fun part, but a little prep makes the process smoother and less messy. Having all your ingredients within reach helps keep things moving quickly.
- Use a fork or candy dipping tool to coat cookies evenly and reduce cleanup.
- Do a few at a time so the melted chocolate is easy to work with when adding decorations.
- Swap pink candy melts for red or white to match your theme.
- Break pretzel sticks ahead of time to speed up assembly.
- Use different themed candies for several different looks.
These simple swaps and tips help you cruise through the assembly line and have your masterpieces looking super adorable.
Other Sweet Treats to Serve with Your Love Bugs
These decorated treats are definitely the star of the show, but they play well with a few other treats on the side.
- Valentine’s Day Brownies
- Chocolate Fruit Pizza
- Slow Cooker Hot Chocolate Recipe
- Strawberry Cake Mix Cookies
- Valentine’s Day Frosted Sugar Cookies
Whether you go for a refreshing fruit plate or a creamy drink, these simple additions will make your Valentine’s celebration feel extra special and well-thought-out.
Frequently Asked Questions
No problem! You can swap in similar candies, chocolate chips, or even mini marshmallows. Creativity is part of the fun, and each love bug will have its own personality.
Absolutely. Kids can add sprinkles, place the eyes, and decorate the little love bugs. An adult should handle the melted candy to keep things safe.
Refrigeration isn’t necessary and can sometimes create condensation on the candy coating. Room temperature storage in a cool, dry spot works best to keep them looking their best.
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Essential Tools for Making Love Bug Cookies
Having a few simple tools ready makes assembly faster and less messy. You don’t need anything fancy, and you most likely have everything already,
Commercial Quality Baking Sheet Pan Set, Natural Aluminum Cookie Sheet, Umite Chef Warp Resistant Baker’s Half Sheet Pan, Large Thick Cookie Tray Pans for Baking, Roasting(2 Pack, 18X13In)
Reynolds Kitchens Unbleached Parchment Paper Roll, Non Stick Parchment Paper for Cooking and Baking, Oven Safe up to 425 Degrees, Chlorine-Free, 45 Feet x 12 Inches, 45 Total Sq. Ft.Samsle Porcelain Ramekins 4 oz Oven Safe, Small Souffle Dishes for Creme Brulee, Ice Cream, Dipping and Sauces Cup, Ceramic White Mini Baking Bowls Set of 6FoldTier Valentines Day 2 Tiered Tray Stand Set Red Heart Shaped Decorative Tray 2 Tiered Metal Serving Shelf Set Decorative Table for Home Kitchen Weddings Valentines Day Party DecorationOnionfier 7in Heart Shaped Ceramic Plate Cute Dessert Serving Tray Porcelain Dinner Plate for Salad Snack or Dim Sum, Perfect for Valentine or Everyday Use, Send Goods from Local Warehouse
With these tools on hand, the process and cleanup are easier, and you’ll be able to focus on creating adorable little love bugs that everyone will adore.
Ingredients Needed for Nutter Butter Love Bug Cookies
This recipe uses simple, easy-to-find ingredients that come together to give your little critters personality and charm.
- Nutter Butter cookies – the classic base for each love bug
- Pink and white candy melts – for coating, stacking, and adding color
- Sprinkles (red, white, pink) for decorating the wings
- Jumbo hearts) – for decorating
- Pretzel sticks – to make the antennas
- Candy eyeballs and mini chocolate chips – for eyes and nose details
- M&Ms – fun accents for the lower part of the body
Having everything ready before you start makes assembly much smoother. Once you lay out your ingredients, decorating becomes the best part of the process.
How to Make Nutter Butter Love Bugs
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Melt pink and white candy melts in separate microwave-safe bowls. Dip a Nutter Butter in pink candy melts, tap off excess, and add a few sprinkles to the sides, leaving the center clear. Let set until the chocolate is firm to the touch.
Coat another Nutter Butter in white candy melts and place it crosswise on top of the pink cookie. Add pretzel antennas, candy eyes, a chocolate chip nose, and finish with M&Ms or heart sprinkles. Let set until firm and then store in an airtight container at room temperature until needed.
Looking for more sweet treats to make your celebration extra fun? Try pairing these tasty bites with these Small Batch Chocolate Cupcakes for a mix of flavors and textures that everyone will love.
Nutter Butter Love Bug Cookies
Equipment
- large tray or baking sheet
- Small microwave safe bowls
Ingredients
- 12 Nutter Butter Cookies
- 1 cup white candy melts
- 1 cup pink candy melts
- 2 teaspoons red, white, and pink sprinkles
- 6 pretzel sticks, broken in half
- 12 edible candy eyes
- 6 mini chocolate chips
- 6 pink M&Ms
- 6 jumbo red hearts sprinkles
Instructions
- Tip: work in small batches so the candy melts stay easy to handle.
- Prepare your workspace: Line a baking sheet or tray with parchment paper to keep cookies from sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Melt the candy melts: In separate microwave-safe bowls, melt the pink and white candy melts in 30-second intervals, stirring in between until smooth.
- Coat the cookies: Dip one completely in pink candy melts, tap off excess, and place on the parchment. Sprinkle the sides with red, white, and pink sprinkles, leaving the center clear for stacking.
- Assemble the body: Coat another cookie in white candy melts and gently place it crosswise on top of the pink-coated one to create the “love bug” body. Press lightly so it sticks without breaking.
- Add the finishing touches: Insert pretzel halves for antennae, place candy eyes above a mini chocolate chip nose, and add pink M&Ms or heart sprinkles near the bottom for accents.
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!
