Reese’s Peanut Butter Cookies: A Sweet Treat for Peanut Butter Fans

Peanut butter cookies are a classic, but adding chopped Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups makes them even more tempting. These cookies combine a soft, chewy peanut butter dough with pockets of chocolate and peanut butter in every bite. They’re easy to make for a party, bake sale, or cozy afternoon at home.

What Makes Them Special?

The secret is the contrast in textures. The cookie dough bakes up tender around the edges and soft in the middle, while pieces of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups add creamy, chocolatey bursts throughout. A few extra candy pieces pressed onto the warm cookies make them look as good as they taste.

Ingredients

• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• ½ cup creamy peanut butter
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup packed brown sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1½ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup chopped Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, plus extra for topping

How to Make Reese’s Peanut Butter Cookies

1. Heat the oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, beat the butter, peanut butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until creamy.
3. Mix in the egg and vanilla.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Add the dry ingredients to the peanut butter mixture and stir until just combined.
5. Fold in the chopped Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. If the candy is soft, chill the dough for about 20 minutes to make it easier to handle.
6. Scoop the dough into balls and place them on the baking sheet, leaving space between each cookie.
7. Bake for 9–11 minutes, until the edges look set and the centers are still slightly soft. Press a few extra candy pieces on top while the cookies are warm, if desired.
8. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a rack.

Tips for Great Results

For soft, chewy cookies, avoid baking them until the centers look completely firm; they’ll continue to set as they cool. Chilling the dough can help keep the cookies from spreading too much, especially in a warm kitchen. For a little extra texture, use crunchy peanut butter or add a small handful of chopped roasted peanuts.

Store the cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to four days. You can also freeze the baked cookies or freeze scoops of unbaked dough for a quick treat later.

Whether served with a glass of milk or packed up to share, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cookies bring together two familiar favorites in one satisfying dessert. Be sure to check ingredient labels and account for peanut or other food allergies when baking for a group.

Everything You Need to Know About Making Perfect Reese’s Peanut Butter Cookies: FAQs Answered

1. How do you make Reese’s peanut butter cookies?
2. What ingredients do you need to make Reese’s peanut butter cookies?
3. Can you use Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups in peanut butter cookie dough?
4. How do you keep Reese’s peanut butter cookies soft and chewy?
5. How long should you bake Reese’s peanut butter cookies?
6. Should you chill the dough before baking Reese’s peanut butter cookies?
7. How should you store Reese’s peanut butter cookies?
8. Can you freeze Reese’s peanut butter cookie dough or baked cookies?

How do you make Reese’s peanut butter cookies?

To make Reese’s peanut butter cookies, cream softened butter with peanut butter and granulated and brown sugars, then beat in an egg and vanilla. Stir in flour, baking soda, and salt until a dough forms, and fold in chopped Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. Scoop the dough onto a lined baking sheet and bake at 350°F for about 9–11 minutes, until the edges are set but the centers are still soft. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before serving.

What ingredients do you need to make Reese’s peanut butter cookies?

To make Reese’s peanut butter cookies, you’ll need softened butter, creamy peanut butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, an egg, vanilla extract, all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, and chopped Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. You can also set aside a few extra candy pieces to press onto the cookies before baking.

Can you use Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups in peanut butter cookie dough?

Yes, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups work wonderfully in peanut butter cookie dough. Chop them into small pieces and gently fold them in after mixing the dough, then bake as directed. For cleaner pieces that hold their shape better, chill the chopped candy or the dough before baking. You can also press a few extra pieces onto the cookies right after they come out of the oven for an extra chocolate-and-peanut-butter finish.

How do you keep Reese’s peanut butter cookies soft and chewy?

To keep Reese’s peanut butter cookies soft and chewy, take them out of the oven when the edges are set but the centers still look slightly soft; they’ll finish baking on the hot pan as they cool. Use the flour amount called for in the recipe, measuring carefully so the dough doesn’t become dry, and choose a recipe with brown sugar for extra moisture. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes, then store them in an airtight container once completely cool.

How long should you bake Reese’s peanut butter cookies?

Bake Reese’s peanut butter cookies at 350°F for about 9–11 minutes, or until the edges are set and the centers still look slightly soft. They’ll continue to firm up as they cool, so avoid waiting for the centers to look fully done. Baking time may vary depending on cookie size and your oven.

Should you chill the dough before baking Reese’s peanut butter cookies?

Chilling the dough before baking Reese’s peanut butter cookies is optional, but it can help the cookies hold their shape and bake up thicker, especially if the dough feels soft or your kitchen is warm. For best results, chill it for about 20–30 minutes; if the dough is already firm, you can bake it right away.

How should you store Reese’s peanut butter cookies?

Store Reese’s peanut butter cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to four days to keep them soft and fresh. If your kitchen is warm, place parchment paper between layers so the candy pieces don’t stick together. For longer storage, freeze the cooled cookies in a freezer-safe container for up to three months, then thaw them at room temperature before serving.

Can you freeze Reese’s peanut butter cookie dough or baked cookies?

Yes, you can freeze both Reese’s peanut butter cookie dough and baked cookies. For dough, shape it into balls and freeze them on a lined baking sheet until firm, then transfer them to an airtight freezer-safe bag or container for up to three months. Bake from frozen, adding a minute or two to the baking time. To freeze baked cookies, let them cool completely, then store them in an airtight container with parchment between layers for up to three months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.