Reese’s Peanut Butter Cookie Bites Recipe
If you’re on the hunt for a cookie that’s soft, peanut buttery, and loaded with chocolatey goodness, you’re about to hit the jackpot with this Reese’s Peanut Butter Cookie Bites Recipe. I promise, once you try these little bites of heaven, you’ll be hooked — they’re chewy, buttery, and perfectly sweet, with a Reese’s Thins peanut butter cup melting into the center for that iconic combo we all love. Get ready, because this recipe will quickly become your go-to for any occasion!
Why This Recipe Works
- Balanced Sweetness: Using both granulated and brown sugar keeps these cookie bites perfectly chewy without being overly sweet.
- Creamy Peanut Butter Base: The creamy peanut butter blends seamlessly with the softened butter to create rich flavor and tender texture.
- Freshly Pressed Reese’s Thins: Adding the peanut butter cups right out of the oven melts them slightly, making each bite oozy and irresistible.
- Quick and Easy Process: Just mix, scoop, bake, and press—a simple recipe with no chill time needed, perfect for last-minute cravings.
Ingredients & Why They Work
This recipe combines a few simple ingredients you might already have, but their magic lies in the balance. The peanut butter and butter create that soft mouthfeel, while a touch of milk keeps the dough tender. The vanilla and baking powder help with flavor and lift, making sure these bites don’t turn out flat and dry.
- Creamy peanut butter: Look for a smooth variety to mix easily and give that classic nutty taste.
- Salted butter: Using salted butter boosts the flavor, but if you only have unsalted, just add a pinch more salt.
- Granulated sugar: Helps with the cookie’s crisp edges while balancing sweetness.
- Brown sugar: Adds moisture, chewiness, and a hint of caramel flavor.
- Egg: Binds the ingredients and adds richness.
- Milk: Keeps the dough tender and makes mixing a breeze.
- Vanilla extract: Elevates the peanut butter’s flavor beautifully.
- All-purpose flour: Gives structure to the cookies; spoon and level it to avoid a dense dough.
- Baking powder: A leavening agent to keep cookies light.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the overall flavor.
- Reese’s Thins: The star ingredient—these melt perfectly on top of the warm cookies, creating that melt-in-your-mouth finish.
Make It Your Way
What I love most about this Reese’s Peanut Butter Cookie Bites Recipe is how adaptable it is. Whether you’re feeling a little decadent or want to lighten things up, you can tweak it easily without losing that peanut buttery charm.
- Variation: I sometimes swap half the creamy peanut butter for crunchy to add a fun texture—try it if you like a little extra crunch in every bite.
- Dietary swaps: Using a non-dairy milk and vegan butter can make these cookie bites vegan-friendly with great results.
- Seasonal touch: Add a pinch of cinnamon or a drizzle of melted dark chocolate on top for holiday flair.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Reese’s Peanut Butter Cookie Bites Recipe
Step 1: Cream together the good stuff
Start by mixing the creamy peanut butter, softened salted butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until everything looks fluffy and well-blended. I find using a stand mixer or hand mixer really helps get that light, creamy texture without overworking the dough. Don’t rush this part—it makes the cookies super tender!
Step 2: Beat in wet ingredients
Next, add your egg, milk, and vanilla extract. Mix it just until combined—no need to overmix here, or your cookies might get tough. Once you see a smooth batter ready for flour, you’re good to move on.
Step 3: Combine dry ingredients and mix
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Then slowly add the dry mix to the wet one, stirring gently or mixing on low speed. The dough should come together easily and feel slightly soft but not sticky. If it seems too wet, a tiny extra sprinkle of flour usually fixes it.
Step 4: Scoop and bake
I like to scoop tablespoonfuls and roll them into balls, spacing them about 2 inches apart on parchment-lined cookie sheets. Pop them into a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) and bake for 8-10 minutes. Watch them closely; you want soft, barely set cookies – overbaking dries them out. I’ve found 8 minutes works perfectly for 1.5 tablespoon-sized cookie balls.
Step 5: Add the Reese’s Thins magic
Here’s the best part! Right after pulling the cookies out of the oven, gently press a Reese’s Thins peanut butter cup into the center of each warm cookie. Don’t press too hard or you’ll flatten the cookie, just enough for the chocolate to meld with the soft dough. Let them cool completely so the chocolate firms back up — they’re best enjoyed with a cold glass of milk or coffee.
Tips from My Kitchen
- Don’t overbake: Cookies should look just set and slightly underdone in the center; they’ll finish cooking on the sheet.
- Use room temperature butter: This helps it blend smoothly with peanut butter, making your dough creamier.
- Press Reese’s right out of the oven: The warmth softens the chocolate for a perfect melt without losing the cookie’s shape.
- Cool completely before storing: Prevents the chocolate from smearing and keeps cookies fresh longer.
How to Serve Reese’s Peanut Butter Cookie Bites Recipe
Garnishes
For a little extra flair, I love sprinkling some flaky sea salt right after pressing the Reese’s on top. It amplifies all the sweet and salty goodness. Sometimes, I drizzle a bit of melted dark chocolate or even sprinkle chopped peanuts for crunch and presentation—this really ups the wow factor for guests.
Side Dishes
These cookie bites pair beautifully with a cold glass of milk (classic, I know) or a creamy hot chocolate in colder months. On the savory side, a simple bowl of fresh berries balances the richness if you’re serving these at a party.
Creative Ways to Present
When I’ve served these at gatherings, I like to line them up on rustic wooden boards or stack them in clear glass jars for a casual, charming display. You can even wrap a few in parchment paper tied with twine as little gifts — they’re that good, and everyone will appreciate the personal touch.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature, stacking with parchment paper in between so they don’t stick together. They stay soft for up to 3 days, but honestly, they rarely last that long in my house.
Freezing
If you want to freeze them, I recommend freezing the cookie dough balls first on a baking sheet, then transferring them to a freezer-safe bag. Bake straight from frozen but add a couple extra minutes to the baking time. Fully baked cookies can also be frozen for up to a month—just thaw at room temperature before enjoying.
Reheating
To reheat, pop a cookie or two in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds to revive that soft, melty center. If you’re warming a batch, a few minutes in a 300°F oven wrapped lightly in foil works nicely without drying them out.
FAQs
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Can I substitute crunchy peanut butter in the Reese’s Peanut Butter Cookie Bites Recipe?
Absolutely! Using crunchy peanut butter adds a lovely texture inside the cookie bites. Just keep in mind that crunchy peanut butter can make the dough a bit more coarse, which some folks love. Feel free to mix it in part or whole, depending on your preference.
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What’s the best way to avoid overbaking these cookies?
Keep an eye on them during the last couple of minutes. The cookies should still look a tiny bit underdone in the center when you pull them out—that’s the secret to chewy, soft cookie bites. Remember, they continue baking a bit on the hot tray.
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Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
You can! Substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. Just be sure your baking powder is gluten-free as well. The texture might be slightly different, but it still makes a delicious peanut butter cookie.
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What if I don’t have Reese’s Thins? Can I use regular Reese’s cups?
For sure! Just press a regular Reese’s peanut butter cup into each cookie after baking. They’re a bit bigger, so your cookie bites will be chunkier and more packed with chocolate and peanut butter goodness.
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How long do the cookie bites keep fresh?
Stored properly in an airtight container at room temperature, they stay great for about 3 days. Refrigerating is possible but can firm them up; bring back to room temp before eating for the best experience.
Final Thoughts
This Reese’s Peanut Butter Cookie Bites Recipe is one of those easy, delightful recipes that never disappoints. It’s my go-to when I want to impress without spending hours in the kitchen. The combination of soft, rich peanut butter cookie and that melty Reese’s center makes it truly hard to stop at just one. I honestly can’t wait for you to try it—you’ll love how simple and tasty it is, and these cookies are sure to become a family favorite in no time.
Print
Reese’s Peanut Butter Cookie Bites Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 36 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Deliciously soft Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Cookies feature a creamy peanut butter dough with a sweet, buttery base, topped with a classic Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup for a perfect blend of flavors in every bite.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup (246g) creamy peanut butter
- 1/2 cup (139g) + 2 tbsp salted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup (115g) granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup (123g) brown sugar
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup (59ml) milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups (228g) all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
Topping
- 36 Reese’s Thins Peanut Butter Cups
Instructions
- Cream Ingredients: With a mixer, cream together the peanut butter, softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until thoroughly blended and creamy.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the egg, milk, and vanilla extract until fully combined and smooth.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt, then gradually add this mixture to the peanut butter mixture and mix until just incorporated.
- Shape Cookies: Scoop tablespoonfuls of dough and roll them into balls. Place the cookie dough balls 2 inches apart on parchment-lined cookie sheets to allow for spreading.
- Bake Cookies: Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 10 minutes, ensuring the cookies remain soft and just cooked through, adjusting time slightly based on size if needed.
- Add Reese’s Cups: Immediately after removing the cookies from the oven, gently press one Reese’s Thins Peanut Butter Cup into the center of each warm cookie.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the cookies to cool so the chocolate cups can set before serving to enjoy the perfect texture and flavor.
Notes
- Use room temperature butter and peanut butter for easier mixing and a smoother dough.
- Do not overbake to keep cookies soft and chewy.
- You can use regular Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups instead of Thins, but baking times may vary slightly.
- Chilling the dough for 15 minutes before baking can help reduce spreading if desired.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 110 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg