If you’ve been craving the perfect blend of cookie and candy, these Reese Pieces Stuffed Cookies are about to become your new favorite treat. The combination of chewy chocolate chip cookie dough with colorful, peanut buttery Reese’s Pieces Cookies creates an irresistible dessert that’s perfect for any occasion. These cookies strike the perfect balance between homemade comfort and candy shop indulgence, making them a hit with both kids and adults alike.
Nutritional Benefits
While these cookies are definitely a treat, they do offer some nutritional benefits from ingredients like eggs (protein), peanut butter (healthy fats), and dark chocolate (antioxidants). Here’s a breakdown of what you can expect per cookie:
| Nutrient | Amount per Cookie |
|---|---|
| Calories | 285 |
| Carbohydrates | 35g |
| Protein | 4g |
| Fat | 14g |
| Saturated Fat | 8g |
| Fiber | 1.5g |
| Sugar | 22g |
| Sodium | 180mg |
Ingredients & Substitutions
| Ingredient | Role | Possible Substitutions |
|---|---|---|
| 2¼ cups all-purpose flour | Structure | 1:1 gluten-free flour blend |
| 1 tsp baking soda | Leavening | 1 tsp baking powder |
| 1 tsp salt | Flavor enhancer | ¾ tsp kosher salt |
| 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened | Fat, texture, flavor | ½ cup butter + ½ cup coconut oil |
| ¾ cup granulated sugar | Sweetness, structure | ½ cup coconut sugar + ¼ cup white sugar |
| ¾ cup packed brown sugar | Moisture, flavor | ¾ cup coconut sugar |
| 2 large eggs | Structure, binding | 2 flax eggs (2 Tbsp ground flaxseed + 6 Tbsp water) |
| 2 tsp vanilla extract | Flavor | Almond extract or maple extract |
| 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips | Flavor, texture | Dark chocolate chunks or butterscotch chips |
| 1 cup Reese’s Pieces | Filling, flavor | M&Ms or mini peanut butter cups |
| ½ cup creamy peanut butter | Flavor, binding | Almond butter or sunflower seed butter |
Equipment Needed
– Stand mixer or hand mixer
– Large mixing bowl
– Medium mixing bowl
– Measuring cups and spoons
– Cookie scoop (2 tablespoon size)
– Baking sheets
– Parchment paper or silicone baking mats
– Wire cooling rack
– Small ice cream scoop (for forming peanut butter filling)
– Spatula
– Refrigerator (for chilling dough)
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prepare the filling: In a small bowl, mix ½ cup creamy peanut butter with ¼ cup powdered sugar and ½ cup Reese’s Pieces. Cover and chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
2. Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
3. Cream butter and sugars: In a large bowl using a stand mixer or hand mixer, beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
4. Add wet ingredients: Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla. Make sure everything is well incorporated.
5. Combine wet and dry: Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Do not overmix.
6. Add mix-ins: Fold in the chocolate chips and remaining ½ cup of Reese’s Pieces cookies using a spatula until evenly distributed.
7. Chill the dough: Cover the cookie dough and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (or up to 24 hours for best flavor development).
8. Preheat oven: When ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
9. Form stuffed cookies: Take 2 tablespoons of cookie dough and flatten into a disc. Place a teaspoon of the chilled peanut butter Reese Pieces Stuffed Cookies filling in the center. Take another 2 tablespoons of dough, flatten, and place on top. Seal the edges to completely enclose the filling.
10. Arrange on baking sheets: Place the stuffed cookies on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
11. Bake: Bake for 12-14 minutes, or until edges are lightly golden but centers still appear slightly soft.
12. Cool: Let the 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? Make sure your butter isn’t too warm and that you’ve chilled the dough properly. If they’re still spreading, add 2-3 extra tablespoons of flour to the batter.
– Filling leaking? Ensure you’ve properly sealed the edges of the cookie dough around the filling. If needed, chill the assembled cookies for 15 minutes before baking.
– For extra decadence: Press a few additional Reese’s Pieces into the tops of the cookies immediately after they come out of the oven.
– Even-sized cookies: Use a cookie scoop to ensure all cookies are the same size and will bake evenly.
– Perfect texture: For chewier cookies, slightly underbake them (about 10-11 minutes). For crispier edges, bake for the full 14 minutes.
Storage & Make-Ahead Tips
– Room temperature: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
– Refrigerator: Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
– Freezer: Freeze baked cookies in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature.
– Freezing dough: Form the stuffed cookie dough balls and freeze them on a baking sheet. Once frozen, transfer to a freezer bag and store for up to 3 months. Bake straight from frozen, adding 2-3 minutes to the baking time.
– Make-ahead filling: The peanut butter Reese’s Pieces filling can be made up to 3 days ahead and kept refrigerated.
Conclusion
These Reese Pieces Stuffed Cookies deliver the ultimate indulgence for anyone who loves the classic combination of chocolate and peanut butter. The surprise center filled with creamy peanut butter and colorful Reese’s Pieces Cookies makes these treats stand out from ordinary chocolate chip cookies. They’re perfect for bake sales, holiday cookie exchanges, or simply treating yourself after a long week. The balance of sweet cookie dough, rich chocolate chips, and the candy-coated peanut butter pieces creates a cookie that’s simply irresistible.
FAQ
Q: Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
A: Yes! Substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. The rest of the recipe remains the same.
Q: How do I know when the cookies are done baking?
A: Look for lightly golden edges with centers that still appear slightly soft. They will continue to set as they cool.
Q: Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy?
A: Absolutely! Crunchy peanut butter will add extra texture to the filling.
Q: What if I don’t have a stand mixer?
A: A hand mixer works perfectly fine, or you can mix by hand with a wooden spoon (it’ll just require more elbow grease!).
Q: Can I make smaller cookies?
A: Yes, but adjust the baking time accordingly. Smaller cookies will need 8-10 minutes instead.
Follow me on Pinterest for more Reese Pieces Stuffed Cookies. If you enjoy peanut butter treats, you’ll also love my Home Made Reese Cups that are a perfect treat for any occasion!
