Nutter Butter Referee Cookies are a delightful and playful twist on the traditional Nutter Butter cookie, taking your taste buds to the referee’s field without ever leaving your kitchen. With their charmingly whimsical design, featuring stripes and candy eyeballs, these cookies not only bring smiles but also a hint of nostalgia. The creamy peanut butter flavor of Nutter Butter cookies combined with the sweet white chocolate coating creates a delicious treat that’s perfect for game day, parties, or just a fun afternoon snack.

I distinctly remember the first time I crafted these cookies. It was during my nephew’s little league game, and I wanted to bring a sweet snack that resonated with the spirit of the day. As I watched the kids running around in their tiny uniforms, it hit me: what better way to celebrate than with cookies that looked like referees? These cookies became an instant favorite in our family, and they’re bound to ignite some joy in yours as well. Trust me, making Nutter Butter Referees is not only easy but also a sure-fire way to engage the whole family in the kitchen.

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

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Simple & Quick: Ready in just 30 minutes, perfect for busy days or spontaneous cravings.
Irresistible Flavor: Sweet white chocolate meets the classic nutty taste of Nutter Butter—yum!
Eye-Catching Appeal: These cookies are as fun to look at as they are to eat, ideal for themes or celebrations.
Flexible Serving: Great for parties, school events, or a special snack just because.
Diet-Friendly Options: Easy to adapt for various dietary preferences with a few tweaks.

Ingredients You’ll Need

12 Nutter Butter cookies: The star of the show! These iconic cookies offer a wonderful peanut butter flavor and crunchy texture that pairs perfectly with the candy coating.
3 ounces white almond bark or white candy melts: This adds a sweet layer to mimic the classic referee uniform; use good quality for the best melting consistency.
⅓ cup black candy melts: These will create the stripes and features on our cookies; ensure they are melted carefully to avoid burning.
24 candy eyeballs: For the finishing touch that brings these referee cookies to life! You can find these in the baking aisle or online.

How to Make Nutter Butter Referees

Melt the White Coating: Start by melting 3 ounces of white almond bark or white candy melts according to the package directions. This should result in a smooth texture without any lumps. Be patient, and don’t let it overheat; a microwave works beautifully if done in short bursts.

Dip to Coat: Once it’s melted, dip each Nutter Butter cookie halfway into the white coating. Allow the excess chocolate to drip off, then lay the cookies flat on a parchment-lined baking sheet. This will give the appearance of a referee’s jersey.

Create the Stripes: Now it’s time to melt the black candy melts. Transfer the melted black candy melts into a piping bag fitted with a small tip (I recommend Wilton #3). Carefully pipe thin stripes across the white-coated sections of the cookies, resembling a referee’s shirt. You can choose the pattern you like!

Add the Eyes: Grab your 24 candy eyeballs; for each, dab a tiny bit of melted candy onto the back to secure it. Place the eyes on the cookies at the top of the white coating, giving your referees their adorable expressions.

Finalize Features: Use the remaining black candy melts to pipe tiny mouths or hair on your referee cookies. This step adds a personality that makes your creations much more fun and inviting.

Cool to Set: Allow the cookies to sit at room temperature, or pop them in the refrigerator for a few minutes until the coating is firm. You want to ensure everything is set and ready to go before they are served.

Storing & Reheating

Store any leftover Nutter Butter Referee cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. If you’d like to keep them longer, you can refrigerate them for about 2 weeks. For even longer storage, freeze any uneaten cookies in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. When ready to enjoy, simply let them thaw at room temperature. Note that the candy coating may become slightly less crisp after freezing, but they’ll still taste delicious!

Chef’s Helpful Tips

Mind Your Melting: When melting candy melts, do so at low power in the microwave, and stir frequently to avoid scorching.
Piping Practice: If you’re nervous about piping the stripes, practice on some parchment paper first to get comfortable with the flow.
Cookie Texture: For added crunch, consider letting the cookies set uncovered for a little while after coating.
Creative Variations: If you want to change things up, try adding edible glitter on top for a fun sparkle or swap the candy eyeballs for different festive designs!

These tips will help you ace the recipe with confidence and creativity!

The vibrant Nutter Butter Referee cookies are a fantastic treat to make and share! Their delightful design not only brings joy but also offers a delicious flavor that everyone will adore. Don’t hesitate to mix and match designs or even get creative with flavors—perhaps a drizzle of other color melts could take them up a notch!

Recipe FAQs

How do I store leftover cookies?

To keep your Nutter Butter Referee cookies fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. If you prefer, you can refrigerate them for up to 2 weeks. Ensure they’re fully cooled before sealing, as trapped moisture can make them soggy.

Can I use regular chocolate instead of candy melts?

While you can use regular chocolate, candy melts are specifically designed for easy melting and dipping, and they set firmer. If you want to use chocolate, consider adding some coconut oil to thin it out for easier coating.

What can I substitute for candy eyeballs?

If you can’t find candy eyeballs, you can easily create eyes using small chocolate chips or mini marshmallows with a dot of melted chocolate as the pupil. This gives a fun, personalized touch to your cookies as well!

Can I make these cookies ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare the cookies up to a week in advance. Just store them in an airtight container, and add the black stripes and features the day you plan to serve them for a fresher look.

More Desserts Recipes

Recipe Card

Nutter Butter Referees

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

Print Recipe

Description

Nutter Butter Referees are delightful cookies that blend irresistible flavor with easy preparation. Dipped in white coating and decorated, they are perfect for parties or a fun 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. Allow excess to drip off and 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.
Apply a small amount of melted candy onto the back of each candy eyeball and attach them to the cookies. Use the black candy melts to pipe mouths and hair.
Allow the cookies to sit at room temperature or refrigerate briefly until the coating is firm.

Notes

Make sure to allow the melted coating to drip off to avoid excess pooling on the parchment.
Keep cookies refrigerated if not served immediately to maintain firmness.