Reese’s Peanut Butter Cookies

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Reese’s Peanut Butter Cookies

Introduction

Reese’s Peanut Butter Cookies are the perfect combination of two classic favorites: soft homemade peanut butter cookies and rich, chocolatey peanut butter candy. These cookies have a tender center, lightly crisp edges, a deep peanut butter flavor, and generous pieces of Reese’s candy throughout.

They are simple enough for a weekday baking project but delicious enough to serve at holidays, parties, bake sales, family gatherings, and special celebrations. The combination of creamy peanut butter, buttery cookie dough, brown and white sugar, vanilla, and chopped Reese’s candy creates a rich cookie that peanut butter lovers will find especially hard to resist.

The best part is that the dough comes together with basic pantry ingredients. Once the Reese’s pieces are folded into the dough, the cookies are portioned, baked until just golden around the edges, and allowed to cool until they develop their soft, chewy texture.

A Little History

Peanut butter cookies have been a popular American baking tradition for generations. Peanut butter became increasingly common in American kitchens during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, and bakers soon began incorporating it into cakes, candies, and cookies.

The familiar peanut butter cookie became particularly recognizable for its rich peanut flavor and soft, slightly crumbly texture. The classic crosshatch pattern traditionally pressed into peanut butter cookies with a fork became one of their most recognizable features.

Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups were created by H. B. Reese in the 1920s and eventually became one of the best-known combinations of chocolate and peanut butter. Combining Reese’s candy with peanut butter cookie dough naturally brings those two beloved flavors together in one dessert.

These cookies are therefore a modern variation on two long-standing American favorites.

Ingredients

For the Cookie Dough

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
  • 3/4 cup granulated white sugar
  • 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1 large egg, preferably at room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

For the Reese’s Filling

  • 1 cup Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, roughly chopped
  • 1/2 cup Reese’s Pieces, optional
  • Additional chopped Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups for decorating the tops, optional

Equipment

  • Large mixing bowl
  • Electric hand mixer or stand mixer
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Rubber spatula
  • Baking sheets
  • Parchment paper
  • Cookie scoop or tablespoon
  • Cooling rack

Preparation

Before beginning, remove the butter and egg from the refrigerator so the butter can soften. Softened butter should be pliable but should not be melted.

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

If using Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, chop them into small, uneven pieces. Leaving a mixture of smaller and larger pieces gives the finished cookies a more generous candy-filled appearance.

Method

Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugars

Place the softened butter, peanut butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar into a large mixing bowl.

Beat the mixture on medium speed for approximately 2 to 3 minutes, or until it becomes smooth, creamy, and slightly fluffy.

Creaming the butter properly is important because it helps create a lighter cookie texture while distributing the sugar evenly throughout the mixture.

Step 2: Add the Egg and Vanilla

Add the egg and vanilla extract to the butter mixture.

Beat again until everything is completely incorporated. Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula if necessary.

The mixture should look smooth and creamy at this stage.

Step 3: Combine the Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.

Combining these ingredients separately helps distribute the leavening agents evenly throughout the flour.

Step 4: Make the Dough

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture.

Mix on low speed just until the flour disappears. Avoid overmixing the dough because excessive mixing can develop gluten and make the cookies tougher.

The finished dough should be soft and thick.

Step 5: Add the Reese’s Candy

Gently fold the chopped Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups into the cookie dough using a rubber spatula.

If desired, fold in Reese’s Pieces as well.

Reserve a small amount of chopped candy for pressing onto the cookies after they come out of the oven. This gives them an attractive bakery-style appearance.

Step 6: Portion the Cookies

Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, portion the dough into balls approximately 1 1/2 tablespoons each.

Place the dough balls on the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches of space between them.

For thicker cookies, you can refrigerate the dough for approximately 20 to 30 minutes before baking.

Step 7: Shape the Cookies

For a classic peanut butter cookie appearance, lightly press each dough ball with a fork in a crosshatch pattern.

Alternatively, leave the dough balls rounded for a thicker, softer cookie.

If you prefer an especially soft center, avoid flattening the dough too much.

Step 8: Bake

Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven.

Bake for approximately 9 to 12 minutes.

The edges should look lightly golden and set, while the centers should still appear slightly soft. Do not wait until the centers look completely baked, because the cookies will continue cooking from the residual heat after they are removed from the oven.

For smaller cookies, begin checking around 8 to 9 minutes. Larger cookies may require 11 to 13 minutes.

Step 9: Add Extra Reese’s Pieces

Immediately after removing the cookies from the oven, gently press a few additional pieces of chopped Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups or Reese’s Pieces into the tops.

This step is optional but makes the cookies look especially generous and candy-filled.

Step 10: Cool

Allow the cookies to remain on the baking sheet for approximately 5 minutes.

They will be very soft immediately after baking, so moving them too quickly can cause them to break.

After 5 minutes, transfer them carefully to a wire cooling rack and allow them to cool completely.

The Secret to Soft Cookies

The most important secret is to avoid overbaking.

Peanut butter cookies can become dry if they remain in the oven until they look completely finished. Remove them while the centers still look slightly soft.

The combination of softened butter, creamy peanut butter, brown sugar, and careful baking helps produce a tender, chewy center.

Brown sugar also contributes moisture and gives the cookies a deeper caramel-like flavor.

Tips for the Best Reese’s Peanut Butter Cookies

Use Softened Butter

Softened butter combines more easily with the sugars and peanut butter. Avoid using melted butter unless the recipe has specifically been adjusted for it.

Do Not Overmix

Once the flour is added, mix only until the ingredients are combined. Overmixing can result in a denser cookie.

Chill the Dough if Necessary

If your kitchen is warm or the dough feels unusually soft, refrigerate it for 20 to 30 minutes. Chilled dough generally spreads less during baking.

Do Not Overbake

This is one of the most important steps. The cookies should be slightly soft in the middle when removed from the oven.

Use Creamy Peanut Butter

Regular creamy peanut butter works especially well for this recipe because it creates a smooth dough and consistent texture.

Make Them Extra Chocolatey

For an even richer cookie, add 1/2 cup of semisweet chocolate chips or milk chocolate chips along with the Reese’s pieces.

Make Them Extra Peanut-Buttery

For an even stronger peanut butter flavor, add additional chopped Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups to the dough and press a few pieces onto the tops before serving.

Storage

Once completely cooled, store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature.

They should remain soft and delicious for approximately 3 to 5 days.

For longer storage, place the cookies in an airtight freezer-safe container and freeze them for up to 2 to 3 months.

Allow frozen cookies to thaw at room temperature before serving.

Freezing the Dough

The cookie dough can also be frozen.

Shape the dough into individual balls and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Freeze until firm, then transfer the dough balls to a freezer-safe bag or container.

When ready to bake, place the frozen dough balls directly onto a lined baking sheet and bake. You may need to add a couple of minutes to the baking time.

This is a convenient method when you want freshly baked cookies without preparing the entire batch from scratch.

Serving Suggestions

These cookies are delicious served slightly warm with a cold glass of milk.

They also pair beautifully with:

  • Vanilla ice cream
  • Chocolate ice cream
  • Peanut butter ice cream
  • Hot chocolate
  • Coffee
  • Tea
  • Chocolate milk

For a special dessert, warm a cookie for a few seconds and serve it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of melted peanut butter or chocolate sauce.

Recipe Formation

The structure of these cookies comes from the balance between fat, sugar, flour, and leavening ingredients.

Butter contributes richness and tenderness, while peanut butter adds both flavor and additional fat. Granulated sugar encourages spreading and contributes sweetness, while brown sugar provides moisture and a softer texture.

The egg binds the ingredients together and contributes structure. Flour provides the framework that holds the cookie together, while baking soda and baking powder help create a lighter texture.

Finally, the Reese’s candy provides pockets of chocolate and peanut butter throughout the cookie.

The result is a cookie that is crisp around the edges, soft in the center, and packed with peanut butter flavor.

Variations

Reese’s Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies

Add 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips to the dough for an even richer chocolate and peanut butter combination.

Double Reese’s Cookies

Use both chopped Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups and Reese’s Pieces.

Peanut Butter Cup Stuffed Cookies

Place a small piece of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup in the center of each dough ball before baking. Completely cover the candy with dough before placing the cookies on the baking sheet.

Salted Peanut Butter Cookies

After baking, sprinkle a very small amount of flaky sea salt over the warm cookies. The salt balances the sweetness and intensifies the peanut butter and chocolate flavors.

Holiday Cookies

Use seasonal Reese’s candies or colored Reese’s Pieces to create cookies suitable for holidays and celebrations.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Do not use cold butter because it will be difficult to cream properly.

Do not melt the butter unless the recipe has been specifically designed for melted butter.

Do not add too much flour. Excess flour can make the cookies dry and dense.

Do not overmix after adding the flour.

Do not place the cookie dough on a hot baking sheet because the dough may spread too quickly.

Do not overbake the cookies. Slightly underbaked centers are what help create that soft, tender texture.

Conclusion

Reese’s Peanut Butter Cookies are a wonderfully indulgent treat for anyone who loves the combination of peanut butter and chocolate. They are simple to prepare, require everyday baking ingredients, and can easily be customized with extra Reese’s candy, chocolate chips, or different toppings.

The ideal cookie has lightly golden edges, a soft center, and plenty of visible Reese’s pieces throughout. The peanut butter creates a rich, nutty foundation, while the candy adds creamy peanut butter and chocolate in every bite.

Whether you make them for your family, a holiday gathering, a bake sale, a party, or simply because you are craving something sweet, these cookies are the kind of homemade treat that disappears quickly.

Final Recipe at a Glance

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Chilling Time: 20 to 30 minutes, optional

Bake Time: 9 to 12 minutes

Total Time: Approximately 45 minutes

Yield: About 18 to 24 cookies, depending on size

Oven Temperature: 350°F (175°C)

Texture: Soft, chewy centers with lightly crisp edges

Flavor: Rich peanut butter, buttery sweetness, chocolate, and Reese’s candy

Best Served: Slightly warm or completely cooled with milk, coffee, tea, or ice cream

These Reese’s Peanut Butter Cookies are rich, soft, comforting, and completely irresistible for peanut butter and candy lovers.

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