November 22, 2023
Review RecipeReese’s Cookies
Table of Contents
Attention peanut butter lovers, these Reese’s cookies are the best cookies to satisfy your cravings. Deliciously soft and chewy, these homemade cookies boast a creamy peanut butter flavor and bursts of Reese’s candy in every bite.
Reese’s Cookies Ingredients
These delectable treats combine the classic taste of a chocolate chip cookie with the irresistible flavor of Reese’s Pieces.
The texture is perfectly complemented by the crunchiness of the candy, making these cookies the ultimate indulgence.
You’ll need:
- 2 cups of all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon of baking soda
- 1 teaspoon of baking powder
- 1 cup of unsalted butter, softened
- 1¼ cups of creamy peanut butter
- ¾ cup + 2 tablespoons of white sugar
- ¾ cup of light brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 1½ teaspoons of vanilla extract
- 2 cups of Reese’s Pieces candy + ½ cup extra for the topping
Substitutions And Additions
PEANUT BUTTER: The recipe calls for smooth peanut butter, but you could use crunchy peanut butter if you prefer.
If you’re not a fan of peanut butter or have allergies, you can easily swap it out with almond butter, cashew butter, or even sunflower seed butter.
LIGHT BROWN SUGAR: If you don’t have this, you can use white sugar and a tablespoon of molasses.
BAKING SODA AND BAKING POWDER: These are two different things, and baking soda is three times as powerful as baking powder.
If you only have baking soda, use one and a third teaspoon of it plus a teaspoon of lemon juice. If you only have baking powder, use four teaspoons of it.
CHOCOLATE CHIPS: If you like chocolatey cookies, you could throw in a cup of chocolate chips along with Reese’s Pieces to create the ultimate chocolate peanut butter cookies.
PEANUT BUTTER CUPS: For a variation on the original recipe, in place of Reese’s pieces, you could also choose to use mini peanut butter cups or even chop up full-sized peanut butter cups.
SUGAR: If you’re looking to cut down on sugar, you can use alternatives like coconut sugar, honey, or maple syrup.
Keep in mind that these options may have slightly different sweetness levels, so adjust the quantity to your taste.
EGGS: For a vegan or egg-free option, try substituting each egg with a flax egg or a chia egg.
To make a flax egg, mix one tablespoon of ground flaxseed with two and a half tablespoons of water and let it sit for a few minutes to thicken.
Chia eggs can be made similarly using chia seeds. These alternatives will help bind the ingredients together just like regular eggs.
VANILLA EXTRACT: While vanilla extract is a popular choice, you can switch things up by using almond extract, coconut extract, or even a hint of orange or lemon zest for a refreshing citrus twist.
Adjust the quantity to your taste, as some extracts can be quite potent.
SALT: While a pinch of salt enhances the overall flavor, you can explore different types of salt, such as sea salt, Himalayan pink salt, or flavored salts like smoked salt for a unique taste.
Remember that some salts are saltier than others, so adjust accordingly.
MIX-INS: Get creative with additional mix-ins like chopped nuts (pecans, walnuts, or almonds), shredded coconut, dried fruit (raisins, cranberries, or apricots), or even crushed pretzels for a sweet and salty contrast.
These additions can bring extra texture and flavor to your cookies without altering the baking time.
SPICES: Experiment with spices to give your cookies a distinct twist. Try adding a pinch of ground nutmeg, allspice, or cardamom for a warm and aromatic touch.
You can also incorporate a dash of cayenne pepper for a subtle, spicy kick.
Keep in mind that spices should be used sparingly to avoid overpowering the cookie’s primary flavors.
How To Make This Reese’s Cookies Recipe
Let’s dive into our step-by-step instructions for making this easy cookie batter and baking the cookies.
STEP ONE: In a large bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, and baking powder.
STEP TWO: Add the butter and peanut butter to the dry ingredients and cream together with a hand mixer or stand mixer.
OUR RECIPE DEVELOPER SAYS
To avoid flat cookies, make sure your butter is at room temperature.
STEP THREE: Add the white sugar and brown sugar to the peanut butter mixture. Mix together until light and fluffy.
STEP FOUR: Add the eggs, one at a time, and mix until combined. Stir in the vanilla extract.
STEP FIVE: Slowly add the flour mixture and mix until just incorporated.
STEP SIX: Stir in two cups of Reese’s Pieces candy. The other half cup of the candies are for topping the cookies before baking.
STEP SEVEN: Cover the bowl and refrigerate for 30 minutes. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
PRO TIP:
Chilling the dough prevents it from spreading in the oven.
STEP EIGHT: Remove the dough from the refrigerator. Using a cookie scoop or a tablespoon, dollop the dough balls onto the cookie sheet.
Use the heel of your hand to press each of the balls into a cookie shape. Add a few candies on top of each one.
STEP NINE: Bake for ten to twelve minutes until the edges are lightly golden brown.
PRO TIP:
Oven temperatures vary and may need to be recalibrated periodically to ensure they are accurate. Make sure to check your cookies at the lower end of the recommended baking time.
How To Serve
Serve these cookies for an afternoon snack with a glass of milk or our iced tea, raspberry iced tea, sweet peach iced tea, or southern strawberry sweet tea to wash them down.
Take your Reese’s cookies to the next level by turning them into ice cream sandwiches.
Sandwich a scoop of your favorite ice cream between two cookies, and you’ll have a dessert that combines warm, gooey cookies with cold, creamy ice cream.
Create a platter with an assortment of dips such as chocolate ganache, caramel sauce, and peanut butter for dipping your cookies.
Create a dessert board with a variety of treats, including your Reese’s cookies. Add brownies, fruit, nuts, and a selection of cheeses for a dessert spread.
These would also be the perfect cookies to give as a gift. Wrap them up for all of your favorite peanut butter fanatics for yummy DIY gifts.
If you can’t get enough of Reese’s Pieces, you should also try our other sweet treats such as our Reese’s slam dunk no bake cheesecake, Reese’s cheesecake, and this Reese’s Pieces fudge.
When To Serve
AFTERNOON TREAT: Serve these cookies as an afternoon pick-me-up with a cup of tea or coffee.
DESSERT FOR FAMILY DINNERS: Include these cookies as the dessert for your family dinners or Sunday suppers.
BAKE SALE: If you’re hosting a bake sale or contributing to a charity event, whip up a batch of these cookies to sell.
KIDS’ BIRTHDAY PARTIES: Reese’s cookies are a crowd-pleaser at kids’ birthday parties.
MOVIE NIGHT SNACK: Make movie night at home extra special by serving these cookies alongside popcorn.
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Storing Reese’s Pieces Peanut Butter Cookies
Whether you want to make them ahead, store leftovers, or freeze them for future cravings, we’ve got you covered.
MAKE AHEAD: If you want to get a head start on your cookie-making, you can prepare the dough in advance.
Follow the recipe up to the point of shaping the cookie dough into balls. Instead of baking, place the dough balls on a baking sheet and freeze them until firm.
Once they’re frozen, transfer them to a zip-top bag or an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper.
You can keep the cookie dough in the freezer for up to three months.
When you’re ready to bake, there’s no need to thaw—just bake them straight from the freezer, adding a minute or two to the baking time as needed.
AT ROOM TEMPERATURE: You can store these chewy cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for about a week.
IN THE FREEZER: You can freeze Reese’s cookies for up to three months.
Place the cookie sheet into the freezer until they are frozen solid, then you can transfer them to an airtight container or freezer bag.
Defrost at room temperature and warm in the oven for five minutes if desired. You can also freeze the cookie dough balls and bake from frozen later.
Why We Love This Recipe
FLAVOR COMBO: These cookies combine the classic flavors of chocolate and peanut butter in every bite.
EASY TO MAKE: The step-by-step instructions ensure that anyone can whip up a batch of these cookies without a hitch.
MINIMIAL INGREDIENTS: With pantry staples like flour, sugar, eggs, and, of course, Reese’s peanut butter cups, you can create a decadent treat in no time.
QUICK PREPARATION: From start to finish, these cookies can be ready in about 30 minutes.
These Reese’s cookies are just like classic chocolate chip cookies, but with Reese’s Pieces candies and peanut butter. If you’re a fan, this is one cookie recipe that you’re sure to make again and again.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can use natural peanut butter, but keep in mind that it may alter the texture and flavor slightly.
Natural peanut butter tends to be less sweet and can have a thinner consistency, so your cookies may turn out a bit softer.
To prevent excessive spreading, ensure that your cookie dough is well-chilled before baking.
You can also use a silicone baking mat or parchment paper on your baking sheet to help maintain the cookie’s shape.
To achieve a chewy texture, be careful not to overbake the cookies.
They should be slightly underdone when you take them out of the oven, as they’ll continue to cook a bit on the hot baking sheet.
dKeeping an eye on the baking time and not overworking the dough can help maintain that chewiness.
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Reese’s Cookies
Ingredients
- 2 cups flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 1¼ cups peanut butter, creamy
- ¾ cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- ¾ cup light brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 1½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 cups reese's pieces candy, plus extra for toppings
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
- Sift together the flour, baking soda, and baking powder.
- Cream together the butter and peanut butter.
- Add the sugar and brown sugar and mix until light and fluffy.
- Add eggs 1 at a time and mix until combined.
- Slowly add the flour and mix until well incorporated.
- Stir in 2 cups of the Reese’s Pieces candy. (The ½ cup of the candies are for topping the cookies before baking)
- Cover the cookie dough and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- Using a small cookie dough scoop or a tablespoon, scoop out dough, and drop onto the covered cookie sheet.
- Using the heel of your hand, gently press down on the cookie dough. Then lightly press a few of the extra candies on top of the cookie dough.
- Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until the edges are lightly golden brown.
- Allow cookies to rest for 1 to 2 minutes before removing cookies.
Notes
- To avoid flat cookies, make sure your butter is at room temperature.
- Chilling the dough prevents it from spreading in the oven.
- Oven temperatures vary and may need to be recalibrated periodically to ensure they are accurate. Make sure to check your cookies at the lower end of the recommended baking time.
Nutrition
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Comments
Gloria says
These are my boy’s favorites! I have to bake a double batch every time because they eat all of them.
Amy says
We are about to find out how good these are! We used rendered bacon grease instead of butter. The raw dough tastes amazing! Chilling in the fridge until the oven heats up. Can’t wait!