Nutter Butter Referee Cookies are a whimsical and delicious twist on the classic Nutter Butter cookie, perfect for any sports fan! Picture this: crunchy peanut butter flavor meets a creamy, sweet coating, topped with adorable candy eyeballs and fun designs that mimic a referee’s uniform. Not only are they fun to look at, but they’re also incredibly easy to make, making them the ideal treat for game day or any gathering. Trust me, once you experience the delightful combination of crunchy and smooth textures, you won’t be able to resist these little cuties!

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
Nutter Butter Referees

I first stumbled upon the idea of making these delightful cookies during a friends’ game night. We had way too many snacks, but these Nutter Butter Referee Cookies quickly became the star of the show. Their playful appearance had everyone talking, and it was such a joy to watch the kids—and adults—gobble them up between cheering for their favorite teams. This recipe is not just fun to make; it’s a fantastic way to celebrate any sports event with a sweet, personalized touch. Grab your ingredients, and let’s get started on these delightful treats!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Simple & Quick: It only takes about 30 minutes from start to finish, making it a great option when you need a fast dessert.
Irresistible Flavor: The salty sweetness of Nutter Butter paired with creamy white chocolate is simply heavenly!
Eye-Catching Appeal: These cookies are fun and adorable, perfect for parties or to put a smile on someone’s face.
Flexible Serving: Great for game days, birthday parties, or even a cozy snack at home.
Diet-Friendly Options: The ingredients are generally easy to find, with dairy-free chocolate options available as substitutes.

Ingredients You’ll Need

12 Nutter Butter cookies: The peanut butter flavor adds a delightful crunch and richness to the cookies.
3 ounces white almond bark or white candy melts: This will create the base coating for our referee uniform, giving a smooth sweetness. If you’re looking for a faster option, candy melts are super easy to work with.
⅓ cup black candy melts: Used to pipe the ref’s stripes and fun facial features. These add the necessary contrast for those classic referee stripes!
24 candy eyeballs: You can find these at most craft or baking supply stores. They complete the whimsical look of the cookies with playful expressions.

How to Make Nutter Butter Referees

Melt the Coating: Start by melting the white almond bark or white candy melts according to the package instructions. You want it to be smooth and easily dip-able. This usually takes a minute or two in the microwave, but remember to stir it often to prevent overheating.

Dip the Cookies: Once the white coating is melted, dip each Nutter Butter cookie halfway into the melted white coating. This should create a beautiful referee uniform effect. Let any excess drip off before placing the cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet. This will help the coating set nicely.

Pipe the Stripes: Next, melt the black candy melts and transfer them to a piping bag fitted with a small tip (I used Wilton #3, which works great). Now, pipe thin stripes onto the white coating to create that classic referee look. Don’t worry; they don’t have to be perfect! A little roughness adds charm.

Add the Eyeballs: To make your Nutter Butter Referees extra fun, you’ll want to add the candy eyeballs. Dab a small amount of melted candy onto the back of each eyeball and stick them onto the cookies. This gives each cookie a cute personality. Then, using the black candy melts, pipe on little mouths and hair, if desired.

Let Them Set: Finally, allow the cookies to sit at room temperature until the coating is firm. If you’re in a hurry, a quick chill in the refrigerator will speed up that process!

Storing & Reheating

To keep your Nutter Butter Referees fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. If you need to hold onto them longer, you can refrigerate them, but be cautious—this might slightly alter the texture. For longer storage, freeze them by laying them flat in a sealed container with parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking. They can last for up to three months in the freezer. To enjoy, simply let them thaw at room temperature, and they’ll be ready to delight your taste buds once again.

Chef’s Helpful Tips

Avoid Overheating: When melting the almond bark or candy melts, stir frequently to prevent clumping or burning.
Piping Technique: For easier piping, let your melted candy cool slightly before using it in the piping bag; it should flow smoothly without being too runny.
Peanut Butter Flavor Boost: If you’re a peanut butter lover, consider using a pinch of peanut butter extract to enhance the flavor profile.
Fun Variations: Feel free to experiment with other colors of candy melts for different themes—think team colors for sporting events!

Nutter Butter Referee Cookies are not only fun to make but offer a unique and playful touch to any gathering or celebration. They bring out the kid in everyone, reminding us that there’s always room for a little bit of whimsy in our lives. Moreover, creating variations based on events can keep things exciting and personalized.

Recipe FAQs

Can I make these cookies in advance?

Yes! You can prepare the cookies a day or two ahead of time. Just store them in an airtight container to maintain freshness.

Can I use colored chocolate melts for different designs?

Absolutely! You can use any color of candy melts to create fun designs. They can reflect team colors for a sports event or be seasonal for different holidays.

What if I don’t have candy eyeballs?

No worries! You can use small chocolate chips or even dots of melted chocolate to create eyes if you can’t find candy eyeballs. Just make sure they’re small enough for the cookies!

How can I prevent the candy melts from cracking?

To prevent cracking or breaking, allow the cookies to set at room temperature. Chilling them too quickly can create tension in the coating, causing it to crack. A gradual cooling will help maintain its integrity!

Whip up these delightful Nutter Butter Referee Cookies and watch as they steal the show, making any occasion just a bit sweeter and more fun. Enjoy the process, get creative, and relish in the smiles you bring when you share them with friends and family!

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📖 Recipe Card

Nutter Butter Referees

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Author: Jennifer
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 a delightful treat featuring Nutter Butter cookies dipped in white coating, adorned with fun candy melts and eyeballs. These irresistible cookies offer a simple preparation, making them a fantastic sweet option for any occasion.

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

For the best results, ensure that the cookies are fully coated in white coating before piping with black candy melts.
You can use any type of candy melts as a fun variation to customize the look of your cookies.