Indulge in the Ultimate Treat: Chewy Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Cookies
For peanut butter and chocolate enthusiasts, prepare for a revelation! These incredibly delicious Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Cookies are a masterful blend of the classic, beloved Toll House Chocolate Chip cookie recipe with the irresistible addition of miniature Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. The result? A perfectly chewy, deeply satisfying cookie that promises to make your taste buds sing with delight. There’s truly no better combination than the rich, sweet embrace of chocolate and the creamy, salty allure of peanut butter, especially when baked into a soft, golden-brown cookie.
This easy-to-follow recipe for homemade peanut butter cup cookies comes together quickly, making it a fantastic option for a spontaneous sweet treat. Whether you’re planning a Halloween bash, a festive Christmas cookie exchange, or simply craving something extraordinary, these cookies are guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser. Their versatility makes them suitable for any occasion, bringing joy and a burst of flavor to every bite.
I often find myself whipping up a double batch of this fantastic recipe, freezing half for those unexpected moments when guests arrive. There’s nothing quite like the convenience of having homemade treats ready to go. These cookies are absolutely divine when still warm from the oven, offering a gooey, melted peanut butter experience that is simply unparalleled. Just remember to handle them with care to avoid burning your fingers!
If your love for cookies runs as deep as mine, be sure to explore some of my other cherished recipes. Next time, consider trying my Cowboy Cookies With Brown Butter, the delightful Pecan Butter Cookies, or these impressive Giant Butterscotch Cookies for another irresistible baking adventure.
Beyond their incredible flavor, these Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Cookies offer a delightful texture that perfectly balances crisp edges with a soft, chewy center. Each bite delivers that signature sweet and salty punch, making them truly addictive. The miniature Reese’s cups soften and melt beautifully during baking, creating pockets of creamy peanut butter and chocolate heaven throughout the cookie. This recipe is more than just a dessert; it’s an experience that evokes comfort and pure indulgence.
Preparing these cookies is a joyous activity, suitable for bakers of all skill levels. From creaming the butter and sugars to folding in the star ingredient—Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups—each step is straightforward and rewarding. The aroma filling your kitchen as these bake is simply intoxicating, a promise of the deliciousness to come. They are also incredibly adaptable, allowing for minor tweaks to suit your personal preferences, ensuring every batch is a success.
Unveiling the Secret: Peanut Butter in the Dough vs. Peanut Butter Cups Alone
A common question arises when discussing Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup cookies: should the cookie batter itself contain peanut butter? Online, you’ll find various approaches to crafting these iconic treats. Some recipes indeed call for peanut butter to be incorporated directly into the cookie dough, creating a more pronounced, all-encompassing peanut butter flavor. However, my specific Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Cookie recipe takes a different, equally delicious path.
In this recipe, the peanut butter flavor predominantly comes from the generous addition of the Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups themselves. By omitting peanut butter from the dough, we achieve a distinct flavor profile: a classic chocolate chip cookie base that serves as the perfect canvas for the bursts of peanut butter and chocolate from the cups. This method results in a milder, more balanced peanut butter presence, allowing the individual flavors of chocolate and peanut butter to shine without overwhelming the palate. Think of them as a classic cookie dough enhanced with the delightful surprise of embedded peanut butter cups, offering an exciting textural and flavor contrast with every bite.
The beauty of this approach lies in its ability to highlight the iconic taste of Reese’s. The creamy peanut butter filling within the chocolate shell melts into gooey pockets, creating an experience that’s both familiar and wonderfully unique. This makes our homemade Reese’s cookies particularly appealing to those who appreciate a less intense, yet utterly satisfying, peanut butter and chocolate combination. It’s a delightful twist on a classic, offering a harmonious blend of textures and tastes.
Essential Ingredients for Your Perfect Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Cookies
As I mentioned earlier, the foundation of these exceptional cookies is inspired by the timeless Toll House Chocolate Chip Cookies recipe. For this delightful variation, we simply substitute the traditional chocolate chips with miniature Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. All precise measurements and detailed instructions for these mouthwatering Reese’s cookies can be found in the comprehensive recipe card at the conclusion of this post.
Here’s a breakdown of the key ingredients and their important roles in crafting these chewy peanut butter chocolate cookies:
- All-Purpose Flour: The structural backbone of our cookies. Always keep a fresh bag in your pantry for all your baking endeavors, ensuring a tender yet sturdy cookie.
- Baking Soda: This leavening agent is crucial for giving our cookies just the right amount of lift and contributes to their signature chewy texture.
- Salt: A pinch of salt is a magical ingredient that amplifies and balances the sweetness, enhancing all the other flavors, especially the rich chocolate and peanut butter.
- Butter (Unsalted or Salted, Softened): Whether you opt for unsalted or salted butter, ensure it’s properly softened to room temperature. This is vital for achieving a smooth, creamy mixture when combined with the sugars, leading to a perfectly tender cookie.
- Granulated Sugar (White Sugar): Provides essential sweetness and helps with the browning of the cookies, contributing to their appealing golden edges.
- Brown Sugar (Packed): This ingredient is a game-changer! Packed brown sugar not only adds a deeper, molasses-rich sweetness but also introduces a lovely caramel-like flavor and contributes significantly to the soft, chewy texture we all crave in a good cookie.
- Vanilla Extract (Pure or Imitation): Vanilla is the secret ingredient that rounds out the flavor profile, adding warmth and depth. Pure vanilla extract offers the best taste, but imitation vanilla will also work wonderfully in these delicious cookies.
- Large Eggs: Eggs act as a binding agent, bringing all the ingredients together and adding moisture. Using large eggs is standard for most baking, but other sizes will also function effectively in these Reese’s Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies.
- Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Minis: The star of the show! These miniature peanut butter cups infuse our cookies with that iconic peanut butter flavor and provide delightful pockets of melted chocolate and creamy peanut butter. Look for them in the baking aisle, usually alongside the chocolate chips.
Selecting quality ingredients is the first step towards baking exceptional cookies. Each component plays a vital role in achieving the desired taste and texture for these irresistible chewy peanut butter cookies. Don’t underestimate the impact of properly softened butter and room-temperature eggs—these small details can make a big difference in your final product.
Baking Perfection: How to Make These Irresistible Reese’s Cookies
Creating these delectable homemade Reese’s cookies is a straightforward and enjoyable process. Follow these simple steps to ensure a batch of perfectly baked, chewy, and flavorful treats:
First, begin by preheating your oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). While the oven heats, prepare your baking sheets by lining them with parchment paper. This step is crucial for preventing sticking and ensures easy cleanup, allowing your cookies to bake evenly.
Next, in a large mixing bowl, preferably using an electric mixer set to medium speed, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and packed brown sugar. Continue mixing until the mixture is light, fluffy, and well combined. This process, known as creaming, incorporates air into the butter and sugar, which contributes to the cookies’ light texture.
Then, add the eggs and vanilla extract to the creamed butter and sugar mixture. Mix thoroughly until these wet ingredients are fully incorporated. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to ensure everything is evenly blended.
In a separate bowl, sift together your all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Sifting helps to remove any lumps and ensures these dry ingredients are evenly distributed, leading to a consistent cookie texture. Slowly add the sifted dry ingredients into the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the dough, as this can lead to tough cookies.
Now for the star ingredient! Gently mix in the Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup baking minis. If using an electric mixer, a brief mix on low speed will help break them apart slightly and distribute them evenly. If you prefer, a sturdy wooden spoon can be used, and you might want to give the peanut butter cups a rough chop beforehand for smaller pieces.
Using a cookie scoop (a 1-tablespoon measuring spoon works perfectly), drop rounded portions of cookie dough onto your prepared baking sheet, leaving adequate space between each cookie for spreading. For an extra touch of visual appeal and even more peanut butter goodness, press half of a mini Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup into the top of each cookie dough ball before baking.
Bake for approximately 11 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies are golden brown and the centers still appear slightly soft. Overbaking can lead to dry cookies, so keep a close eye on them! The precise baking time may vary depending on your oven.
Once baked, remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to sit on the hot cookie sheet for a few minutes. This crucial step helps them set up and prevents them from breaking when transferred. After a few minutes, carefully transfer the cookies to a wire cooling rack to cool completely.
Enjoy these warm, gooey, and absolutely irresistible Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Cookies! Their perfect balance of chewy texture and rich flavor makes them a truly unforgettable treat. Serve them with a tall glass of cold milk, or use them to make ice cream sandwiches for an extra special dessert.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Cookies
Here are answers to some common questions you might have about making and enjoying these delightful cookies:
Does Reese’s use real peanut butter? Yes! A quick look at the ingredient label on genuine Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups confirms that the filling is indeed made with real peanuts. This contributes to the authentic and beloved flavor in our cookies.
How do you store these Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Cookies? To maintain their freshness and chewiness, store these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature on your kitchen counter for up to 3-4 days. They also freeze exceptionally well! For freezing, you can wrap them individually in plastic wrap or layer them between sheets of wax paper in a freezer-safe container. This allows you to grab a single cookie whenever a craving hits. Thaw at room temperature for a quick treat.
What should I do if my cookie dough is too sticky? If you find your cookie dough is excessively sticky and difficult to scoop or handle, a common issue is too much moisture or not enough flour. Try adding a tablespoon or two of extra all-purpose flour to the dough and mix it in until just combined. This should help achieve a more manageable consistency. Ensure your butter wasn’t too soft, as this can also contribute to a stickier dough. Chilling the dough for 15-30 minutes can also help firm it up.
Can I add chopped nuts to the cookie dough batter? Absolutely! If you enjoy your cookies with an added layer of texture and nutty flavor, chopped nuts would be a wonderful addition. Pecans or walnuts are excellent choices. I often use a food processor to finely chop the nuts, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the dough without being overly chunky. Add them along with the Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups.
Can I use all white sugar in this cookie recipe? While white granulated sugar can often be substituted for brown sugar in baking, it’s important to understand the impact. Brown sugar contributes more than just sweetness; its molasses content adds moisture, a distinctive caramel-like flavor, and a chewier texture to the cookies. Using all white sugar will likely result in a crisper, less chewy cookie with a slightly different flavor profile. So, while you can technically make the substitution, the taste and texture of your Reese’s cookies will be noticeably different from the original recipe’s intention.
Why do room temperature ingredients matter? Bringing butter and eggs to room temperature before baking is a simple step that yields significant results. Softened butter creams more easily with sugar, creating an airy, emulsified base that traps air, leading to lighter, fluffier cookies. Room temperature eggs mix more uniformly into the batter, preventing curdling and ensuring a smooth, consistent dough. This attention to detail results in a superior cookie texture and flavor.
Creative Substitutions for Your REESE’S PEANUT BUTTER CUP COOKIES
Don’t let a lack of specific ingredients stop you from making these incredible cookies. Here are some fantastic substitution ideas to keep your baking flexible and fun:
- Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Minis Alternatives: If you’re having trouble locating the miniature Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups in your grocery store’s baking aisle, don’t despair! You can easily use regular-sized Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups and simply chop them into smaller, bite-sized pieces. Alternatively, explore other exciting varieties like white chocolate peanut butter cups, or even Reese’s with pretzels or potato chips for an intriguing salty-sweet crunch. Any of these will bring their unique twist to your homemade Reese’s cookies.
- Other Peanut Butter Cup Brands: The Reese’s brand is iconic, but any other reputable brand of peanut butter cups will work beautifully in this recipe. Don’t feel limited! If peanut butter is not an option due to allergies or preference, consider using almond butter cups or another nut butter cup alternative, ensuring they are cut into small pieces for even distribution.
- Homemade Peanut Butter Cups: For the truly adventurous baker, consider making your own peanut butter cups from scratch. There are many excellent recipes available online, such as Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups. Crafting your own allows for customization of chocolate type and peanut butter richness, adding an extra layer of homemade goodness to your cookies.
- Add Chocolate Chips: While Reese’s cups are the star, a handful of chocolate chips (milk, semi-sweet, or dark) can complement the flavor wonderfully, adding more chocolatey richness.
- Flaky Sea Salt: A sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top of the cookies just after they come out of the oven can elevate the flavors, creating a gourmet sweet and salty experience.
Expert Tips & Tricks for Baking the BEST Reese’s Cookies
Achieving perfect peanut butter and chocolate cookies every time is easy with a few simple tricks:
- Soften Your Butter Properly: This is a golden rule in baking! Ensure your butter is truly softened to room temperature, not melted. It should be pliable enough to leave an indentation when gently pressed but still hold its shape. Properly softened butter creams smoothly with sugars, creating an aerated base that contributes to a light, tender, and chewy cookie texture.
- Room Temperature Eggs: Like butter, bringing your eggs to room temperature before you begin baking is crucial. Room temperature eggs emulsify better with the fat in the butter, creating a cohesive and smooth cookie dough. This leads to a more uniform bake and a superior texture in your finished cookies.
- Patience is a Virtue – Let Them Cool: It can be tempting to snatch those warm, gooey cookies straight from the baking sheet, but resist the urge! Allowing the cookies to cool on the hot baking sheet for a few minutes after coming out of the oven gives them time to firm up and set. This prevents them from breaking apart when you transfer them to a cooling rack and ensures they hold their perfect shape.
- Don’t Overmix: Once you add the dry ingredients to the wet, mix only until just combined. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, which can lead to tough, dry cookies. A few streaks of flour are perfectly fine and will disappear during baking.
- Chill the Dough (Optional, but Recommended for Chewier Cookies): For an even chewier texture and to prevent excessive spreading, consider chilling your cookie dough for at least 30 minutes, or even up to 24 hours. This allows the flavors to meld and the butter to firm up, resulting in a richer taste and thicker cookies.
- Press Extra Peanut Butter Cups on Top: As suggested in the instructions, pressing half a mini Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup into the top of each cookie dough ball before baking makes for a beautifully presented cookie with an irresistible melted topping.
More Indulgent Peanut Butter & Chocolate Recipes
Are you, like me, utterly smitten with the incredible combination of peanut butter and chocolate? If so, prepare to indulge further with these additional recipes that celebrate this iconic pairing:
- No Bake Peanut Butter Pie (as pictured above)
- Peanut Butter Blossoms
- Chewy Peanut Butter Cookies
- Double Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Cookies
- Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Ice Cream Cake
- Peanut Butter Chocolate Chunk Cookies
- No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookie Bars
- Peanut M&M Peanut Butter Pie
These recipes offer a fantastic variety, from other chewy cookies to pies and cakes, all featuring the delightful duo of peanut butter and chocolate. Dive in and explore your next favorite treat!
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Print Recipe
Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Cookies
Equipment
- REESE’S Peanut Butter Cups Minis (8-Ounce)
- Reynolds Kitchens Non-Stick Parchment Paper
- OXO 3- Piece Wooden Spoon Set
- Kitchenaid Stand Mixer
- KitchenAid Hand Mixer
- 13×18 Half Sheet Pan
Ingredients
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup 2 sticks butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
- 2 cups Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Minis
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
- With an electric mixer, cream together butter, sugar and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add in eggs and vanilla, mix until well combined.
- Sift together flour, baking soda and salt and slowly incorporate into the wet mixture until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Mix in the Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups baking minis.
- Scoop with a cookie scoop (I use a 1 Tablespoon size) onto the cookie sheet. I pressed a half of a mini PB cup into the top of each cookie before baking them.
- Bake for about 11 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown. Remove from the oven and let sit on the hot cookie sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a cooling rack.
- Store in an airtight container. These freeze really well, too!