Avalanche Cookies Recipe

If you’re on the hunt for a cookie that’s a delightful mix of crispy, melty, and chewy, you’re going to love this Avalanche Cookies Recipe. I first stumbled upon this treat when I wanted something quick, no-bake, and utterly irresistible for a last-minute gathering, and trust me—it hits all the right spots. Imagine sweet white chocolate mingling with creamy peanut butter, crispy rice cereal adding that satisfying crunch, and marshmallows bringing a soft, pillowy charm—all crowned with mini chocolate chips for an extra pop of chocolatey goodness.

What makes this Avalanche Cookies Recipe worth trying anytime is how simple and adaptable it is. Whether you’re whipping these up for busy school days, an afternoon coffee break, or a party dessert table, they come together faster than you’d expect but make you feel like a true cookie pro. Plus, they chill in the fridge so you can prep ahead—a lifesaver if you like to get organized. I love serving these chilled straight from the fridge, where the chocolate is firm but the marshmallows still give a gentle chew.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

Each ingredient in this Avalanche Cookies Recipe brings a unique texture and flavor that work beautifully together—you’ll want to grab fresh mini chocolate chips and some good-quality peanut butter to get the best results.

• Mini Chocolate Chips: Using mini chips helps them blend into the cookie better and gives little bursts of chocolate in every bite.
• White Chocolate Chips: These provide a smooth, sweet base that melts perfectly with peanut butter—make sure they’re good quality for the best flavor.
• Creamy Peanut Butter: I like Skippy for its balance of sweetness and creaminess, but any smooth peanut butter will do.
• Rice Krispies Cereal: This adds a light crunch that makes these cookies fun to eat.
• Miniature Marshmallows: They give softness and a chewy contrast to the crispy cereal, plus a little gooey magic.

Variations

I love to switch things up sometimes with this Avalanche Cookies Recipe—it’s a forgiving base that welcomes all sorts of tweaks, so feel free to make it your own.

• Nut-Free Variation: Try sunflower seed butter instead of peanut butter if you’re avoiding nuts—my niece is allergic and she still loves these.
• Chocolate Lover’s Twist: Swap white chocolate chips for semi-sweet or dark chocolate for a richer flavor.
• Extra Crunch: Add some chopped nuts like almonds or pecans for a satisfying crunch bonus.
• Smaller Bites: Use a 1-tablespoon scoop instead of 2 tablespoons for candy-sized munchies that disappear fast.

How to Make Avalanche Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Chill & Prep

Start by lining two large sheet pans with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat—you want a non-stick surface to keep your cookies from sticking. Then, pop your mini chocolate chips into the freezer; keeping them cold helps them hold their shape later when you stir them into the warm mixture.

Step 2: Melt White Chocolate and Mix with Peanut Butter

Place the white chocolate chips in a large microwave-safe bowl and melt them carefully in 25-second bursts, stirring in between to avoid overheating or burning. Once smooth and glossy, stir in your creamy peanut butter until fully combined—this combo is the heart of your cookies and should be silky and even.

Step 3: Combine Cereal and Marshmallows

Pour your crispy rice cereal into a separate large bowl and gently pour the warm chocolate-peanut butter mix over it. Stir gently to coat every flake without breaking the cereal too much. Then fold in the miniature marshmallows. Let the mixture cool just until it’s barely warm—that’s important so the marshmallows don’t melt entirely and the chocolate chips don’t lose their chill.

Step 4: Add Frozen Chocolate Chips and Shape Cookies

Stir in the frozen mini chocolate chips gently, then use a 2-tablespoon cookie scoop or spoon to drop dollops onto your prepared pans. Top each with a few extra mini chips—you’ll see it gives that pretty, textured look. Pop the sheet pans in the fridge for about an hour to firm up completely.

How to Serve Avalanche Cookies Recipe

Garnishes

I keep it simple mostly—extra mini chocolate chips on top during assembly are my go-to because they add a lovely chocolate burst and look super inviting. For a festive touch, I’ve sometimes sprinkled a tiny pinch of sea salt or shredded coconut to elevate the flavor contrast, which works surprisingly well.

Side Dishes

When serving Avalanche Cookies, I like pairing them with a cold glass of milk or a warm mug of coffee or tea to balance their sweetness. They also go great with fresh fruit slices if you want a little freshness alongside the rich, chocolatey-peanut butter flavor.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I’ve arranged these cookies on a tiered dessert stand or nestled them in cupcake liners for easy serving. They’re perfect for cookie platters at parties because their compact size and beautiful speckled tops make them eye-catching and effortless to grab.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover Avalanche Cookies in an airtight container in the fridge where they keep well for up to a week. The fridge is key here because the marshmallows and chocolate stay nice and firm, preserving that great texture I love.

Freezing

Freezing works well if you want to prep batches early—just arrange the cookies in a single layer on a tray to freeze until set, then transfer to a sealable freezer bag. When thawed in the fridge, they retain flavor and texture beautifully, almost like freshly made.

Reheating

I usually enjoy Avalanche Cookies cold, but if you want to warm them, a quick 10-15 seconds in the microwave softens them up without turning them gooey. Just be careful not to overheat or the marshmallows can melt too much and change the texture.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

I absolutely love how this Avalanche Cookies Recipe delivers such a fun mix of textures and flavors with minimal fuss. It’s been a game-changer for me when I want homemade treats fast without firing up the oven. You’ll enjoy how flexible it is, too—once you get the hang of it, you can experiment with different mix-ins or swap ingredients for your taste. Give it a try—you might find it becoming your new go-to for cookie cravings or special occasions like it did for me and my family!

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