Nutter Butter Referee Cookies are the perfect blend of whimsy and deliciousness, making them an adorable treat for game day or any fun occasion. These delightful cookies mimic the look of a referee’s uniform, complete with striped details and candy eyeballs that add character and charm. They’re not only quick to whip up, but their playful presentation is sure to capture the attention of kids and adults alike. Plus, the combination of creamy peanut butter cookies with smooth chocolate and candy melts is a flavor clash that’s truly irresistible!

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Ingredients You’ll Need
How to Make Nutter Butter Referees
Storing & Reheating
Chef’s Helpful Tips
Recipe FAQs
Nutter Butter Referees

I first stumbled upon the idea of making these cookies when I was searching for a snack to enjoy while watching my favorite sports team. I wanted something that would not only satisfy my sweet tooth but also match the spirit of the game. Enter the Nutter Butter referees! Their straightforward preparation and the delightful visual treat they provide are a joy to create. Whether you’re hosting a party or just looking for a fun afternoon activity with the kids, these cheerful cookies are bound to be a hit. So, roll up your sleeves and let’s get ready to make some Nutter Butter Referee Cookies!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Simple & Quick: Just 15 minutes of prep and 15 minutes of baking to whip up these adorable snacks.
Irresistible Flavor: The creamy peanut butter flavor from Nutter Butter cookies combined with smooth candy melts offers a delicious treat!
Eye-Catching Appeal: These cookies are as fun to look at as they are to eat, making them perfect for parties or gatherings.
Flexible Serving: Perfect for game-day snacks, birthday parties, or even a fun candy-making afternoon with the kids.
Diet-Friendly Options: Use gluten-free cookies or vegan chocolate for allergen-friendly variations.

Ingredients You’ll Need

12 Nutter Butter Cookies: These are the star of our recipe, bringing a rich peanut butter flavor to every bite.
3 ounces white almond bark or white candy melts: This gives a sweet, creamy coating that resembles a referee’s uniform and helps the decorations stick.
⅓ cup black candy melts: These will create the classic black stripes associated with referees, adding a fun, detailed look to our cookies.
24 candy eyeballs: Perfect for adding personality to your cookies, giving them a whimsical appearance that everyone will love.

How to Make Nutter Butter Referees

Melt the white coating: Begin by melting the 3 ounces of white almond bark or white candy melts according to the package directions until it’s smooth. You can do this in the microwave, heating in intervals of 30 seconds to avoid burning the chocolate.

Dip the cookies: Next, dip each Nutter Butter cookie halfway into the silky melted white coating, creating the illusion of a referee uniform. Let any excess candy coating drip off before placing the cookie on a parchment-lined baking sheet. This step ensures that your cookies don’t become too clumpy.

Prepare the black stripes: Melt the ⅓ cup of black candy melts separately. Once melted, transfer them into a piping bag fitted with a small tip, such as Wilton #3. Now, carefully pipe thin, fun stripes onto the white coating of your cookies, just like a real referee’s uniform.

Attach the candy eyeballs: With a dab of melted black candy on the back of each candy eyeball, place them onto the cookies. Their quirky placement lets them pop, bringing these treats to life! You can also use the black candy melts to pipe little mouths and hair, creating full-faced referees.

Set the cookies: Allow the cookies to sit at room temperature or pop them into the fridge for a brief period until the coating is firm. This ensures that everything holds together nicely when it’s time to enjoy them!

Storing & Reheating

Store your delightful Nutter Butter Referee Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. If you want them to last longer, you can refrigerate them in a suitable container for up to two weeks. Feeling extra prepared? You can freeze these cookies in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoyed them, simply let them thaw at room temperature. While the flavor remains delicious, keep in mind that the texture will slightly change – a fun treat fully worth the wait.

Chef’s Helpful Tips

Avoid overheating chocolate: When melting candy melts, stop right when it’s just melted. Continued heating can lead to burnt chocolate.
Proper decorating temperature: Make sure the candy coatings are warm enough to spread easily but not so hot that they slide off the cookies.
Timing helps the coating: Ensure that you pipe the black stripes and attach the eyeballs before the white coating sets entirely, as it helps them adhere better.
Kids can help: This recipe is great for little hands! Allow kids to help pipe the stripes and stick on the eyeballs.

Nutter Butter Referee Cookies not only make a fantastic dessert but also encourage creativity in the kitchen. Feel free to customize the designs with different colored candy melts or even create additional characters! Let your imagination shine!

Recipe FAQs

Can I use another type of cookie?

Absolutely! While Nutter Butter cookies work perfectly for this recipe, you can easily substitute them with any sandwich cookies, such as Oreo or peanut butter cream cookies, for a different flavor experience.

How can I customize the decorations?

Feel free to change up the colors of the candy melts or even create different expressions with the candy eyeballs. You can even add other edible decorations like sprinkles for extra flair!

Can I leave out the candy eyeballs?

Of course! If you don’t have candy eyeballs on hand, you can simply pipe small dots using the melted black candy or even use chocolate chips for a classic look.

How can I make these cookies more festive?

Experiment with holiday-themed candy melts, like red and green for Christmas, or pastel colors for Easter. You can create a whole lineup of festive Nutter Butter characters that fit any occasion!

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📖 Recipe Card

Nutter Butter Referees

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Author: Peter
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 12 servings 1x
Category: Desserts & Appetizers
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

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Description

Nutter Butter Referees are delightful cookies that combine irresistible flavors and simple preparation. With nutter butter cookies and fun candy toppings, these treats are perfect for any gathering or a quick snack.

Ingredients

Scale

12 nutter butter cookies
3 ounces white almond bark or white candy melts
⅓ cup black candy melts
24 candy eyeballs

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Instructions

Melt the white almond bark or white candy melts according to package directions until smooth.
Dip each Nutter Butter cookie halfway into the melted white coating to create the referee uniform. Let the excess drip off, then place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Melt the black candy melts and transfer to a piping bag fitted with a small tip. Pipe thin stripes onto the white coating.
Dab a small amount of melted candy onto the back of each candy eyeball, then apply it to the cookies. Use the black candy melts to pipe mouths and hair.
Let the cookies sit at room temperature or refrigerate briefly until the coating is firm.

Notes

Ensure the white coating is smooth for better coverage of the cookies.
Use a piping tip for more precise designs when adding stripes and features.
Chilling the cookies helps set the candy coating quickly.