These Reese’s Pieces Peanut Butter Cookies are the ultimate treat, perfectly blending creamy peanut butter with the delightful crunch of Reese’s Pieces candies and rich chocolate chips. Crafted with simple pantry staples and a touch of vanilla instant pudding mix, each batch promises golden-brown perfection in just 10 minutes of baking time! Get ready to discover your new favorite peanut butter cookie recipe that’s effortlessly delicious and wonderfully addictive.
For more irresistible peanut butter cookie recipes, explore our classic Peanut Butter Cookies or indulge in our delightful Reese’s Peanut Butter Cookie Cups!
Discover the BEST Reese’s Pieces Peanut Butter Cookies You’ll Ever Make!
Prepare yourself for an extraordinary cookie experience! These Reese’s Pieces Peanut Butter Cookies are not just any cookies; they’re a celebration of sweet, salty, and incredibly rich flavors that will captivate your taste buds from the very first bite. Each cookie is generously loaded with vibrant Reese’s Pieces candies and decadent semi-sweet chocolate chips, creating an unforgettable homemade treat that truly stands out.
This recipe is designed to yield a substantial batch, making these cookies perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re planning to send a delightful surprise to your child’s classroom party, looking for a crowd-pleasing dessert to bring to holiday gatherings, or simply craving a satisfying treat to enjoy at home throughout the week, these cookies are your go-to solution. Their enticing aroma, coupled with their irresistible taste, ensures they’ll be a hit with everyone!
About These Irresistible Peanut Butter Cookies
Every element of these peanut butter cookies contributes to their remarkable appeal. From their deeply satisfying flavor to their delightfully adaptable texture, they are designed to please even the most discerning cookie connoisseurs. Here’s a closer look at what makes them so special:
Taste: A Symphony of Sweet and Salty Perfection
At the heart of these cookies is a robust peanut butter base, meticulously crafted from readily available pantry staple ingredients. This foundation imparts a truly authentic homemade taste that’s both comforting and extraordinary. Each cookie delivers a harmonious blend of sweet and salty peanut butter flavor, further enhanced by generous studded semi-sweet chocolate chips. The vibrant, candy-coated Reese’s Pieces add an extra layer of sweetness and a satisfying crunch, elevating these cookies to a league of their own. It’s a flavor profile that’s both nostalgic and exciting, ensuring every bite is a delightful experience.
Texture: Your Cookie, Your Choice!
One of the most appealing aspects of this recipe is its versatility when it comes to texture. You have the power to customize your perfect cookie experience, catering to your personal preference:
- For a Chewier Cookie: If your ideal cookie is wonderfully chewy with a dense, satisfying bite, simply give the scooped dough a gentle press between your hands until each cookie is about 1 inch thick before baking. This minor adjustment helps create a flatter cookie that bakes up with a delightful chewiness.
- For a Softer, Slightly Underdone Texture: If you prefer a cookie that’s incredibly soft and melts in your mouth, with a slightly underdone center, there’s no need to alter the dough. Just leave the scoops as is after placing them on the baking sheet. This allows them to maintain a thicker profile, resulting in a tender, cake-like softness in the middle.
No matter your preference, these Reese’s Pieces Peanut Butter Cookies are guaranteed to deliver a satisfying texture that perfectly complements their rich flavor.
Where Does All Of The Peanut Buttery Goodness Come From?
The rich, unmistakable peanut butter flavor in these cookies isn’t just a happy accident; it’s a carefully orchestrated combination of key ingredients working in perfect harmony:
The primary source of that deep, creamy peanut butter essence comes from incorporating Jif Creamy Peanut Butter directly into the cookie dough. Its smooth texture and robust flavor provide the foundational taste that every peanut butter lover craves. This choice isn’t arbitrary; Jif Creamy Peanut Butter is known for its consistent quality and delightful taste, which translates beautifully into baked goods.
Complementing this, the vibrant Reese’s Pieces Candies scattered throughout the dough bring an additional layer of sweet and salty peanut butter flavor. These iconic candies not only add a burst of color and texture but also intensify the overall peanut butter experience, making each bite an indulgent delight.
Together, Jif Creamy Peanut Butter and Reese’s Pieces create a dynamic sweet and salty combination that truly makes these cookies stand out. It’s a classic pairing that ensures a memorable flavor profile.
A Note on Peanut Butter Varieties: I have specifically developed and tested this recipe using creamy peanut butter. While you might be tempted to experiment, I strongly advise sticking with creamy for the best results. I have not attempted this recipe with chunky peanut butter or organic, natural peanut butter (which often has oil separation). Please keep in mind that using either of these alternatives may significantly alter the consistency of the cookie dough, potentially leading to a different final texture and structure for the baked cookies. The consistency of creamy peanut butter is crucial for the dough to come together correctly and for the cookies to maintain their desired shape and softness.
Helpful Tips When Making These Homemade Cookies
Achieving bakery-quality Reese’s Pieces Peanut Butter Cookies at home is easier than you think, especially with these expert tips:
- Embrace Your Stand Mixer: For optimal results, I highly recommend using a stand mixer equipped with a paddle attachment to cream together the softened butter, light brown sugar, granulated sugar, and creamy peanut butter. This powerful tool ensures a thoroughly mixed, airy base.
- Creaming Time is Crucial: Don’t rush the creaming process! Be sure to cream this mixture for a full two minutes, scraping down the sides of the bowl halfway through. This step is super important as it incorporates air into the butter and sugars, which is fundamental to the final structure, lightness, and texture of your cookies.
- Utilize a Flour Shield: This recipe yields a generous amount of dough. If your stand mixer comes with a flour shield, it can be incredibly useful during the mixing process, helping to contain the flour and prevent a mess.
- Finish Mixing by Hand: After most of the dry ingredients are incorporated by the mixer, do a final mix by hand using a sturdy rubber spatula. This allows you to gently fold in any dry ingredients stuck at the bottom of the bowl without overmixing the dough, which can lead to tough cookies.
- The Finishing Touch: Reserved Mix-Ins: For a more appealing and professional-looking cookie, reserve some of the Reese’s Pieces and chocolate chips. Just before baking, gently press these extra candies and chips into the tops of the scooped cookie dough. This ensures a beautiful presentation once baked.
- Freezing Dough for Later: Want to enjoy fresh-baked cookies anytime? To freeze the dough, use a cookie scoop to portion out individual balls onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Flash-freeze them for about 1 hour until solid. Once firm, transfer the cookie dough balls to a freezer-safe bag or airtight container. They will keep beautifully in the freezer for up to 3 months. When ready to bake, simply place the frozen dough balls on a baking sheet and add a few extra minutes to the baking time.
Baking Efficiency: Is It Important To Use Two Baking Sheets?
While not strictly “important” in the sense of affecting the cookie’s final taste or texture, using two baking sheets definitely makes the baking process significantly quicker and more efficient. With two sheets, you can have one batch of cookies cooling on its sheet (which is crucial for their structure) while simultaneously sliding the second sheet into the oven to bake. This continuous workflow means less waiting and more delicious cookies in less time!
Can I Leave The Powdered Milk Out Of This Recipe?
Technically, yes, you can omit the powdered milk, and it won’t negatively impact the texture of your cookies. However, I strongly advise against it! Even though this recipe calls for a relatively small amount, powdered milk contributes significantly to the overall flavor profile. It adds a subtle depth and richness that truly enhances the cookie’s taste. They’ll still be delicious without it, but they’ll be even yummier and more complex with this special ingredient included!
What If I Don’t Have A Large Cookie Scoop?
No large cookie scoop? No problem at all! You can easily substitute it with a standard ¼ measuring cup to portion out the dough for your Reese’s Pieces Cookies. This method ensures consistent sizing, which is key for even baking. Just use the measuring cup to scoop and release the dough onto your prepared baking sheets.
Peanut butter lovers, this is one recipe you absolutely do not want to miss! These Reese’s Pieces Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies are a true delight, and if you can’t get enough of that classic flavor, be sure to explore many more peanut butter cookie recipes that are just as good!
- Edible Peanut Butter Cookie Dough – Craving raw cookie dough? This safe-to-eat recipe is ready in just 10 minutes!
- Peanut Butter Bacon Chocolate Chunk Pudding Cookies – An unexpected yet utterly delicious combination of sweet and salty flavors you simply have to try!
- No Bake Peanut Butter Cookies – Quick and easy oatmeal-based cookies made with only 6 simple ingredients – perfect for a last-minute treat!
- Classic Peanut Butter Blossoms – Timeless and beloved, these sugar-coated cookies are crowned with a Hershey’s chocolate kiss.
- Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies – Enjoy chewy, homemade cookies featuring a classic flavor combo, ready in under 30 minutes!
Let’s Connect!
If you’ve tried this delightful recipe, please share your thoughts and let me know how you liked it in the comments below, and don’t forget to leave a review. Your feedback means the world to us!
Don’t forget to tag me – @sugarandsoulco – on Instagram and Pinterest with your beautiful photos! You can also join our Sugar & Soul Show-offs Community on Facebook and share them there, where you can also participate in our exciting recipe challenges!
This beloved recipe was originally published in October 2015 and received a comprehensive update in July 2022, featuring a revised recipe and fresh, inspiring photos to guide you.
Reese’s Pieces Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
Author: Rebecca Hubbell
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Cooling Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Servings: 30 cookies
Pin
Rate
These Reese’s Pieces Peanut Butter Cookies pair creamy peanut butter with vanilla instant pudding mix and pantry staple ingredients! Each batch takes just 10 minutes to bake up to golden brown perfection!
Equipment
- 2 Cookie sheets
- Stand Mixer (highly recommended) or Large Mixing Bowl with Hand Mixer
- Rubber Spatula
- Large Cookie Scoop (or ¼ cup measuring cup)
- Wire Rack
Ingredients
- 1½ cups unsalted butter, softened
- 1½ cups light brown sugar, packed
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ¾ cup creamy peanut butter (Jif recommended)
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 4 cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
- 1 (3.4oz.) box vanilla instant pudding mix, unprepared
- 1 tablespoon powdered milk
- 1½ teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 cup Reese’s Pieces, divided
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips, divided
- ½ cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper and set them aside.
- In a large bowl, or preferably a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream together the softened butter, light brown sugar, granulated sugar, and creamy peanut butter on medium speed for a full 2 minutes. Remember to scrape down the sides of the bowl halfway through to ensure everything is thoroughly combined. This step is crucial for the cookie’s final texture.
- Add the eggs one at a time, mixing after each addition just until the yolk is streaky throughout the dough. Then, add the vanilla extract and mix for only a couple of seconds until just incorporated.
- In a separate medium mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, dry vanilla instant pudding mix, powdered milk, salt, and baking soda until well combined. With the mixer beating at a low (stir) speed, slowly add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients. If you have a flour shield for your mixer, this is an excellent time to use it, as this recipe creates a significant amount of dough. Increase the speed to medium and mix just until the ingredients are combined. Remove the bowl from the mixer and use a rubber spatula to scrape and mix any loose flour from the bottom of the bowl into the dough by hand, ensuring no dry spots are left without overmixing.
- Add ¾ cup of the Reese’s Pieces, ¾ cup of the regular semi-sweet chocolate chips, and all of the mini semi-sweet chocolate chips to the dough. Mix at low speed just until they are combined. Be careful not to overmix at this stage. You can finish mixing by hand with a rubber spatula or even your hands to ensure the dough is fully combined and the chips are evenly incorporated, paying special attention to any drier parts at the bottom of the bowl.
- Use a large cookie scoop (approximately ¼ cup) to portion out the dough onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 3 inches between each cookie to allow for spreading. Typically, 6 to 8 cookies will fit comfortably on a standard cookie sheet. For chewier cookies, gently use your hands to press the cookie dough balls until they are about 1-inch thick. For a softer, slightly underdone texture, simply leave the dough as is after scooping.
- For a beautiful presentation, press the remaining ¼ cup of Reese’s Pieces and chocolate chips into the top of each scooped dough ball just before placing them in the oven.
- Bake the cookies one baking sheet at a time for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the edges are just beginning to turn a light golden brown. The centers should still appear very soft and look slightly underdone – this is key for a soft, chewy cookie. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and allow the cookies to cool on the pan for 5 minutes before carefully transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- This recipe typically requires baking in 4 batches. Using two cookie sheets is highly recommended as it allows you to rotate them, keeping the baking process continuous and efficient while cookies cool on one sheet.
- While optional, powdered milk contributes significantly to the flavor, adding a subtle richness that enhances the cookie’s taste, even in a small amount.
- Creaming the butter and sugar mixture for the full 2 minutes is vital for the final structure and texture of the cookie. Do not shorten this step.
- Always ensure all dry ingredients from the bottom of the mixing bowl are fully incorporated. Using a rubber spatula to hand-mix towards the end prevents the last few cookies from being dry. Overmixing with the stand mixer can lead to tough cookies, so manual folding is preferred for the final mix. This observation comes from experience with a 4.5 qt stand mixer; larger mixers might combine everything more uniformly.
- If you don’t own a large cookie scoop, a standard ¼ cup measuring cup can be used to portion out the dough, ensuring consistent cookie size for even baking.
- Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-5 days.
Nutrition
(Nutritional values are estimates and may vary based on ingredients and preparation.)
- Calories: 343kcal
- Carbohydrates: 41g
- Protein: 5g
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0.4g
- Cholesterol: 36mg
- Sodium: 204mg
- Potassium: 158mg
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 25g
- Vitamin A: 309IU
- Vitamin C: 0.02mg
- Calcium: 32mg
- Iron: 2mg
Did You Make This Recipe?
Don’t forget to share your creations with me on Instagram @sugarandsoulco and follow on Tiktok @sugarandsoulco and Pinterest @sugarandsoulco for more delicious inspiration!
Pin Recipe
Share Recipe