Ultimate Reese’s Pieces Cookies (Soft & Chewy Bakery Style) are the perfect weekend treat for anyone who loves the irresistible combination of chocolate and peanut butter. These Reese’s Pieces Cookies offer that perfect balance of crispy edges and soft centers that make bakery-style cookies so memorable. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or just satisfying a sweet tooth craving, these colorful, peanut buttery delights will quickly become a family favorite.
Nutritional Benefits
While these cookies are definitely a treat, they do provide some nutritional elements worth mentioning. The peanut butter component offers protein and healthy fats, while the eggs provide additional protein and nutrients.
| Nutrition | Amount per Cookie |
|---|---|
| Calories | 285 |
| Carbohydrates | 34g |
| Protein | 4g |
| Fat | 15g |
| Fiber | 1g |
| Sugar | 22g |
Ingredients & Substitutions
| Ingredient | Role | Possible Substitutions |
|---|---|---|
| 2¼ cups all-purpose flour | Structure and texture | 1:1 gluten-free flour blend |
| 1 tsp baking soda | Leavening agent | 1 tsp baking powder (cookies will be puffier) |
| 1 tsp salt | Flavor enhancer | ½ tsp sea salt |
| 1 cup unsalted butter, softened | Moisture and richness | ½ cup butter + ½ cup shortening |
| ¾ cup granulated sugar | Sweetness and structure | Coconut sugar (slightly less sweet) |
| ¾ cup packed brown sugar | Moisture and chewiness | Dark brown sugar for deeper flavor |
| ½ cup creamy peanut butter | Flavor and texture | Crunchy peanut butter |
| 2 large eggs | Structure and binding | 2 flax eggs (2 Tbsp ground flaxseed + 6 Tbsp water) |
| 2 tsp vanilla extract | Flavor enhancer | 1 tsp almond extract |
| 1½ cups Reese’s Pieces | Flavor and visual appeal | Mini peanut butter cups or chocolate chips |
| ½ cup chocolate chips (optional) | Extra chocolate flavor | Chopped chocolate bar or white chocolate chips |
Equipment Needed
– Stand mixer or hand mixer
– Large mixing bowl
– Medium bowl
– Measuring cups and spoons
– Rubber spatula
– Baking sheets
– Parchment paper or silicone baking mats
– Cookie scoop (optional, but helpful for uniform cookies)
– Wire cooling rack
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prep Work: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line your baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
3. Cream Butter and Sugars: In the bowl of your stand mixer (or using a hand mixer), beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar on medium-high speed for 2-3 minutes until light and fluffy.
4. Add Wet Ingredients: Add the peanut butter to the butter-sugar mixture and beat until combined. Then add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in the vanilla extract.
5. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: With the mixer on low speed, gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Mix just until combined – don’t overmix!
6. Add Mix-ins: Gently fold in the Reese’s Pieces and chocolate chips (if using) with a rubber spatula. Again, be careful not to overmix – we want those Ultimate Reese’s Pieces Cookies to stay soft and chewy!
7. Scoop and Bake: Using a cookie scoop or spoon, form dough balls about 2 tablespoons in size. Place them on the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between cookies.
8. Baking: Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are just set but the centers still look slightly underdone. For bakery-style Reese’s Pieces Cookies, it’s better to slightly underbake than overbake.
9. Cooling: Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Troubleshooting & Pro Tips
– Cookies spreading too much? Chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking.
– Cookies not spreading enough? Slightly flatten the dough balls before baking.
– For extra visual appeal: Press a few extra Reese’s Pieces on top of each cookie right after they come out of the oven.
– Secret to bakery-style cookies: Make your cookies larger (3-4 tablespoons of dough) and slightly underbake them for that soft, gooey center.
– Even baking: Rotate your baking sheets halfway through baking for even color and texture.
– Perfect texture: For the ultimate bakery-style experience, pull the cookies out when the edges are set but the centers look slightly underdone.
Storage & Make-Ahead Tips
– Counter Storage: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
– Freezing Baked Cookies: Place completely cooled cookies in a freezer-safe container, separating layers with parchment paper. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature.
– Freezing Cookie Dough: Form dough balls, freeze on a baking sheet until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag. When ready to bake, add 1-2 minutes to the baking time (no need to thaw).
– Refreshing Cookies: Warm cookies in the microwave for 10-15 seconds for that fresh-baked taste and gooey texture.
Conclusion
These Ultimate Reese’s Pieces Cookies (Soft & Chewy Bakery Style) are more than just a sweet treat—they’re an experience! The combination of chewy cookie, rich peanut butter flavor, and colorful candy pieces makes them irresistible for anyone with a sweet tooth. Perfect for parties, bake sales, or simply enjoying with a cold glass of milk, these Reese’s Pieces Cookies will have everyone asking for your secret recipe. Remember that the key to truly bakery-worthy cookies is in the timing—pulling them from the oven when they’re just set around the edges guarantees that perfect soft and chewy center that makes these cookies so special.
FAQ
Can I make these cookies without a stand mixer?
Yes! A hand mixer works perfectly fine, or you can mix by hand with a wooden spoon for a good arm workout.
Why did my cookies turn out flat?
This could be due to butter that’s too warm or not enough flour. Try chilling the dough for 30 minutes before baking.
Can I use natural peanut butter?
While you can, commercial peanut butter (like Jif or Skippy) typically works better for baking as it has stabilizers that help with texture.
How do I know when the cookies are done?
The edges should be set and lightly golden, but the centers will still look slightly underdone. They’ll continue cooking on the hot baking sheet.
Can I make these cookies ahead of time for a party?
Absolutely! You can make the dough and refrigerate it for up to 3 days, or freeze the dough balls and bake them fresh the day of your event.
Why add salt to sweet cookies?
Salt enhances all the flavors and balances the sweetness, making for a more complex and delicious cookie.
Can I make these cookies without peanut butter?
You can, but they won’t have the same flavor profile. Consider using cookie butter or almond butter as alternatives if avoiding peanuts.
What makes these cookies “bakery-style”?
The larger size, perfect ratio of crisp edges to soft centers, and the slightly underbaked, chewy texture are hallmarks of professional bakery cookies.
Follow me on Pinterest for more Ultimate Reese’s Pieces Cookies (Soft & Chewy Bakery Style). For another delicious treat that pairs perfectly with these cookies, check out my Home Made Reese Cups that will satisfy all your chocolate and peanut butter cravings!
