Acorn Cookies Recipe

If you’re looking for a fall or holiday dessert that’s cute, simple, and totally crowd-pleasing, Acorn Cookies are your new go-to. These charming acorn cookies (sometimes called acorn kiss cookies) come together with minimal fuss—no oven required—and they look adorable on any dessert tray.

Why Make Acorn Cookies? (Benefits & Appeal of Acorn Cookies)

When you choose acorn cookies for your holiday or fall lineup, here’s what you get:

• Festive & eye-catching: They resemble little acorns, adding a seasonal touch to cookie platters.
• No-bake simplicity: No oven time—great when your oven is already overbooked during holiday baking.
• Minimal ingredients: The basic recipe uses just three core ingredients.
• Kid-friendly assembly: Children can help press parts together and decorate stems.
• Customizable: Swap chip types, cookie bases, or flavors to suit preferences or allergies.
• Great for gift or party favors: Their shape and look make them ideal for cute packaging.

Key Ingredients for Acorn Cookies

To produce about 24 acorn cookies, gather:

• 12 mini Nutter Butters (or mini Nilla Wafers)
• 24 Hershey’s Kisses (choose any flavor you like: milk chocolate, dark, mint, etc.)
• ⅔ cup peanut butter chips, divided (or use substitute chips if needed)

For nut-free or variation versions, you can swap out mini Nilla Wafers for the Nutter Butters, and use chocolate or butterscotch chips in place of peanut butter chips.

How to Make Acorn Cookies (Step-by-Step Instructions)

Step 1. Prep your workspace
Line a baking sheet or flat tray with parchment paper. This gives you a clean surface to assemble and chill.

Step 2. Split cookies & remove filling
Gently separate each mini Nutter Butter into two halves. Use a knife to scrape off the peanut butter filling so both sides are plain and flat. Place these halves flat-side up on parchment.

Step 3. Position the parts
Next to each cookie half, set one unwrapped Hershey’s Kiss (flat bottom side up) and one peanut butter chip (this will become the stem later).

Step 4. Melt the chips
Place the remaining peanut butter chips in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat at 50% power in 30-second increments, stirring between intervals, until smooth and runny. Be careful not to overheat—and if they begin to seize (grainy), restart with fresh chips.

Step 5. Attach the “acorn top”
Dip the flat side of each Hershey’s Kiss into the melted chips (just a small area) and then press it onto the flat side of one cookie half. Hold for 3–5 seconds so it adheres.

Step 6. Add the “stem”
Dip each peanut butter chip into the melted chips (reheating if needed) and press it into the top of the Kiss, forming the stem of your acorn.

Step 7. Chill to set
Put the assembled acorn cookies into the refrigerator for at least 10 minutes so the chips firm up and everything stays in place.

Step 8. Serve or store
Once set, the acorn cookies are ready to display or package. If not eaten immediately, follow the storage tips below.

That’s your base acorn cookie recipe in eight easy steps—fast, fun, and festive.

Variations & Substitutions for Acorn Cookie

Because one fun thing about acorn cookies is how flexible they are, here are ideas to tweak the recipe:

Nut-Free Acorn Cookies

Use mini Nilla Wafers instead of Nutter Butters, and swap peanut butter chips with chocolate, butterscotch, or white chocolate chips. This gives you a nut-free version that still looks like acorn cookies.

Alternative chip flavors & decorative touches

• Use flavored Kisses (mint, cherry, caramel) to vary the “acorn cap.”
• Use dark chocolate, white chocolate, or butterscotch chips for the stem.
• Add colored sprinkles or edible glitter to the stem before it fully sets.
• Try mixing chip types or rotating flavors to make a colorful acorn cookie tray.

Creative cookie bases

If you don’t want to use Nutter Butters or Nilla Wafers, try other plain wafer cookies or shortbread cookies with a flat surface. Just ensure one side is flat to attach the Kiss.

Upscaled versions

• Add a touch of melted chocolate drizzle over finished acorn cookies.
• Use mini edible leaf decorations around the base to enhance the autumn look.

These variations help you adapt acorn cookies to dietary needs, aesthetic preferences, or flavor profiles.

Presentation & Serving Tips for Acorn Cookies

To make your acorn cookies shine:

• Arrange them on a wooden board, leaf-patterned platter, or among real (washed) decorative acorns for a natural woodland look.
• Use them as place settings: attach a name card to the stem with edible ink or a toothpick.
• Pair acorn cookies with warm drinks (hot cocoa, spiced cider, coffee) for cozy gatherings.
• Package them in cellophane bags with autumn ribbon or small gift boxes.
• Serve with other themed desserts (pumpkin, maple, pecan) to create a fall dessert table.

Because these are no-bake treats, acorn cookies are especially convenient when oven space is limited.

Storage & Freezing

Here’s how to keep it:

• Room temperature: Store in an airtight container. They’ll keep well for up to 10 days.
• Refrigerator: Not recommended long term, as the Kisses or chips may absorb moisture.
• Freezing: Place in a freezer-safe bag or container and freeze up to 3 months. When ready, thaw to room temperature. Note: the kisses and chips can be quite firm when frozen, so allow full thaw before eating.

The original recipe also advises ensuring the kisses are fully thawed before serving so you don’t get a cracked chocolate top.

Nutrition & Yield

• The base acorn cookie recipe yields 24 acorn cookies.
• Each cookie contains approximately 39 kcal.
• Nutritional breakdown per cookie:
    • Carbohydrates: ~5 g
    • Protein: ~1 g
    • Fat: ~2 g
    • Saturated fat: ~1 g
    • Sugar: ~4 g
    • Sodium: ~16 mg
    • Calcium: ~9 mg
    • Iron: ~0.04 mg

These numbers reflect the original Mom on Timeout version using Nutter Butters, Kisses, and peanut butter chips. Adjustments (e.g. using chocolate chips or alternative cookies) will shift nutritional values.

FAQs

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Acorn Cookies: The Festive & Easy No-Bake Acorn Cookie Recipe

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• Author: Jake
• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 24 cookies 1x
• Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Festive, no-bake Acorn Cookies made with Hershey’s Kisses, mini cookies, and peanut butter chips. Adorable, easy, and perfect for fall or holiday dessert trays.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 12 mini Nutter Butters (or mini Nilla Wafers)
• 24 Hershey’s Kisses (any flavor)
• 2/3 cup peanut butter chips, divided

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Instructions

1. Line a baking sheet or tray with parchment paper.
2. Split mini Nutter Butters into halves and scrape off filling.
3. Place one Hershey’s Kiss and one peanut butter chip next to each cookie half.
4. Melt remaining peanut butter chips in microwave until smooth.
5. Dip flat side of each Kiss in melted chips and press onto cookie half.
6. Dip a peanut butter chip in melted chips and press onto top of Kiss as stem.
7. Refrigerate assembled cookies for 10 minutes to set.
8. Serve immediately or store for later.

Notes

For nut-free variation, use mini Nilla Wafers and substitute peanut butter chips with chocolate, white chocolate, or butterscotch chips.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Category: Dessert
• Method: No-Bake
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 cookie
• Calories: 39
• Sugar: 4g
• Sodium: 16mg
• Fat: 2g
• Saturated Fat: 1g
• Unsaturated Fat: 1g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 5g
• Fiber: 0g
• Protein: 1g
• Cholesterol: 0mg

Final Thoughts & Call to Try

Acorn Cookies blend whimsy and ease in one adorable, no-bake package. Whether you’re a busy host pulling together dessert trays or looking for a fun kitchen activity with kids, this acorn cookie recipe fits the bill.

Start with the classic version, then experiment with chip types, cookie bases, or decorations to make them uniquely yours.

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