Reeses Pieces Peanut Butter Cookies: The Ultimate Recipe

Reeses Pieces Peanut Butter Cookies: Prepare to enter a world where peanut butter and chocolate collide in the most delightful way possible! Imagine sinking your teeth into a soft, chewy cookie, bursting with the iconic peanut butter flavor we all adore, punctuated by the satisfying crunch of colorful Reeses Pieces. Are you drooling yet? I know I am just thinking about them!

While the exact origins of combining peanut butter and chocolate in cookie form are somewhat shrouded in delicious mystery, the pairing itself is a classic American love affair. Peanut butter cookies have been a staple in home kitchens for generations, offering a comforting taste of nostalgia. Adding Reeses Pieces, those perfectly formed little candies, elevates the humble peanut butter cookie to a whole new level of fun and flavor.

What makes these Reeses Pieces Peanut Butter Cookies so irresistible? It’s the perfect balance of textures – the soft, yielding cookie dough against the satisfying snap of the candy shells. The taste is equally captivating: the salty, nutty peanut butter harmonizes beautifully with the sweet, creamy chocolate. Plus, let’s be honest, they’re incredibly easy to make! This recipe is perfect for a quick weeknight treat, a bake sale sensation, or simply a way to brighten someone’s day. Get ready to experience peanut butter cookie perfection!

this Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• ¾ cup packed light brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 large eggs
• 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup creamy peanut butter
• 2 cups Reese’s Pieces candies, divided

Preparing the Dough:

1. Cream the butter and sugars: In a large bowl, or the bowl of your stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and light brown sugar until light and fluffy. This usually takes about 3-5 minutes. Make sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl occasionally to ensure everything is evenly mixed. The mixture should be noticeably lighter in color and texture.
2. Add vanilla and eggs: Beat in the vanilla extract until combined. Then, add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Again, scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure everything is incorporated. This step is crucial for creating a smooth and consistent dough.
3. Combine dry ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Whisking ensures that the baking soda and salt are evenly distributed throughout the flour, which is important for the cookies to rise properly and have a balanced flavor.
4. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough cookies. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, resulting in a chewier, less tender cookie.
5. Mix in peanut butter: Add the creamy peanut butter and mix until just combined. Make sure the peanut butter is well incorporated into the dough, but avoid overmixing.
6. Fold in Reese’s Pieces: Gently fold in 1 ½ cups of the Reese’s Pieces candies. Reserve the remaining ½ cup for topping the cookies later. Folding ensures that the candies are evenly distributed throughout the dough without breaking them.
7. Chill the dough: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and chill the dough in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. Chilling the dough helps to prevent the cookies from spreading too much during baking and also allows the flavors to meld together. For best results, chill for 1-2 hours. You can even chill it overnight!

Baking the Cookies:

1. Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. Parchment paper or silicone mats prevent the cookies from sticking to the baking sheets and make cleanup easier.
2. Scoop the dough: Use a cookie scoop or spoon to drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie. This spacing allows the cookies to spread without running into each other.
3. Top with Reese’s Pieces: Gently press a few of the reserved Reese’s Pieces candies onto the top of each cookie. This adds a pop of color and extra peanut butter flavor.
4. Bake the cookies: Bake for 9-11 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown and the centers are set. The baking time may vary depending on your oven, so keep a close eye on the cookies.
5. Cool the cookies: Remove the baking sheets from the oven and let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This allows the cookies to firm up slightly and prevents them from breaking when you move them.

Tips and Variations:

• Use room temperature ingredients: Using room temperature butter and eggs helps to create a smoother dough and ensures that the ingredients combine properly.
• Don’t overbake: Overbaked cookies will be dry and crumbly. Bake them until the edges are lightly golden brown and the centers are set.
• Add chocolate chips: For an extra chocolatey treat, add ½ cup of chocolate chips to the dough along with the Reese’s Pieces.
• Use different types of peanut butter: You can use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy peanut butter for a different texture.
• Make them gluten-free: Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend.
• Storage: Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
• Freezing: You can freeze the cookie dough for up to 2 months. Scoop the dough into balls and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag. When ready to bake, bake from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time. You can also freeze baked cookies in an airtight container for up to 2 months.

Troubleshooting:

• Cookies spreading too much: If your cookies are spreading too much, the dough may be too warm. Chill the dough for a longer period of time before baking. Also, make sure your oven is properly preheated.
• Cookies are too dry: If your cookies are too dry, you may have overbaked them. Reduce the baking time slightly.
• Cookies are too hard: If your cookies are too hard, you may have overmixed the dough. Be careful not to overmix the dough when adding the dry ingredients.

Enjoy your delicious Reese’s Pieces Peanut Butter Cookies!

Conclusion:

So, there you have it! These Reese’s Pieces Peanut Butter Cookies are truly a must-try for any peanut butter lover. The perfect balance of sweet and salty, the chewy texture, and the bursts of color from the Reese’s Pieces make them utterly irresistible. I know, I know, I’m biased, but I genuinely believe this recipe will become a new favorite in your household.

Why are they a must-try? Because they’re incredibly easy to make, require minimal ingredients (most of which you probably already have in your pantry), and deliver maximum flavor. Forget those store-bought cookies that are often dry and disappointing. These homemade delights are soft, chewy, and packed with peanut butter goodness. Plus, the addition of Reese’s Pieces elevates them from ordinary peanut butter cookies to something truly special. They’re perfect for bake sales, holiday gatherings, or simply a sweet treat to enjoy with a glass of milk after a long day.

But the fun doesn’t stop there! Feel free to get creative with your serving suggestions and variations. For a truly decadent experience, try serving these cookies warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The contrast between the warm cookie and the cold ice cream is heavenly. You could also crumble them over a chocolate milkshake for an extra peanut buttery kick.

Looking for variations? Consider adding chocolate chips (milk chocolate, dark chocolate, or even white chocolate would work beautifully) for an extra layer of chocolatey goodness. Or, if you’re feeling adventurous, try using different types of peanut butter, such as crunchy peanut butter, for added texture. You could even experiment with different candies – chopped Snickers bars or M&Ms would be delicious alternatives to Reese’s Pieces. For a festive touch, use holiday-themed Reese’s Pieces during the Christmas season.

Another fun idea is to make these cookies into ice cream sandwiches. Simply sandwich a scoop of your favorite ice cream between two cookies and enjoy! This is a great way to impress your friends and family at your next summer barbecue.

Don’t be afraid to experiment and make this recipe your own. That’s the beauty of baking – it’s all about having fun and creating something delicious that you can share with others.

I truly hope you give these Reese’s Pieces Peanut Butter Cookies a try. I’m confident that you’ll love them as much as I do. And when you do, please, please, please share your experience with me! I’d love to hear your feedback, see your photos, and learn about any variations you’ve tried. You can leave a comment below, tag me on social media, or even send me an email. I’m always eager to hear from fellow bakers and peanut butter enthusiasts.

So, grab your ingredients, preheat your oven, and get ready to bake some seriously delicious cookies. Happy baking! I can’t wait to hear all about your Reese’s Pieces Peanut Butter Cookies success! Let me know if you have any questions along the way. I’m here to help!