Reese's Peanut Butter Chocolate
There's something magical about the classic combo of peanut butter and chocolate, and these Reese's Peanut Butter Chocolate cookie bites bring that magic to your kitchen in mini form. Home cooks love them for their soft, chewy texture and the gooey surprise of a Reese's cup nestled inside-perfect for parties, potlucks, or just a sweet treat to satisfy cravings. The scent of baking peanut butter and chocolate is irresistible, making these irresistible little bites a must-have for any gathering or a cozy night in. They're quick to make, require no fancy techniques, and deliver big flavor in every bite.
What Makes This Recipe Special
- Mini size with a big surprise: Each cookie is portioned just right to hold a mini Reese's cup, creating a perfect bite-sized indulgence.
- Double chocolate and peanut butter: The dough is packed with semisweet chocolate chips, and the Reese's cup adds an extra layer of rich peanut buttery goodness.
- Soft and chewy texture: The combination of butter, brown sugar, and peanut butter ensures these cookies stay soft and tender, not cakey or dry.
- No chill required: Unlike some cookie recipes, this dough can be used immediately-no waiting for flavors to meld or dough to firm up.
Ingredients
1 1/4 cupsall-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoonbaking soda
1/2 teaspoonsalt
1/2 cupunsalted butter, softened
1/2 cupgranulated sugar
1/2 cuppacked brown sugar
1 largeegg
1 teaspoonvanilla extract
1/2 cupcreamy peanut butter
1 cupsemisweet chocolate chips
24 miniReese's peanut butter cups
Nutrition
160 caloriesCalories
Per serving · Values are estimates
Instructions
1
Whisk together all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl; set aside.
2
Beat softened butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and peanut butter in a large mixing bowl until light and fluffy.
3
Add the egg and vanilla extract to the creamed mixture and beat until smooth.
4
Gradually blend in the dry ingredient mixture with the wet ingredients until just combined.
5
Fold the semisweet chocolate chips into the dough.
6
Portion dough into mini muffin tins or shape into small rounds on a baking sheet.
7
Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F until edges are lightly golden brown, about 10 minutes.
8
Immediately press a mini Reese's peanut butter cup into the center of each warm cookie bite.
9
Allow the cookie bites to cool completely before serving or removing from pan.
Essential Tips
Room temp butter
Make sure your butter is softened but not overly melted-it should hold its shape when pressed but yield slightly. This ensures the right texture in your cookies without greasiness.
Don't overmix dough
Once you add the dry ingredients, mix just until combined. Overmixing can lead to tough cookies, so stop as soon as the flour disappears.
Press Reese's cups firmly
While the cookies are still warm from the oven, press the Reese's cups gently into the center. If they sink too much, they might melt into a puddle-aim for a snug fit just below the surface.
Use mini muffin tins
Grease your mini muffin tin well or use liners to prevent sticking. If you don't have a mini muffin tin, shape the dough into small rounds (about 1.5 inches wide) and bake on a parchment-lined sheet.
Bake time is key
Keep an eye on the cookies as they bake-they're done when the edges are just starting to turn golden, around 10 minutes. Overbaking will make them dry out, even though they'll look underdone at first.
Smart Swaps & Variations
Gluten-Free
Swap the all-purpose flour for a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend. Ensure your Reese's cups are gluten-free, as some brands may contain traces of wheat.
Nut-Free
Replace the peanut butter with sunflower seed butter to keep the rich, nutty flavor without the nuts. Use sunflower seed-based chocolate chips if needed.
Vegan
Use plant-based butter, flaxseed egg (1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 3 tbsp water), and vegan Reese's-style cups. The texture will be slightly different but still delicious.
Extra Chocolatey
Add 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder to the dry ingredients and top each cookie with a few extra chocolate chips before baking.
What to Serve With This
- A cold glass of milk-classic and refreshing against the rich peanut butter and chocolate.
- Warm coffee or hot chocolate for a cozy, indulgent pairing.
- Vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for a decadent dessert bowl or sundae.
- As part of a dessert platter with other cookies and brownies for a bake sale or party.
Storage & Reheating
Storage
Store the cooled cookie bites in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. They can also be frozen for up to 3 months-just thaw at room temperature before serving.
Reheating
To restore freshness, warm the cookies in a 300°F oven for 3-5 minutes. Avoid microwaving, as it can make the Reese's filling too soft and the cookies chewy rather than tender.
Expert Chef Tips
- Use a cookie scoop for even sizing: Portioning the dough with a 1-tablespoon scoop ensures each cookie bakes uniformly, and the Reese's cup fits perfectly.
- Chill the dough if it's too sticky: If your kitchen is warm or the dough feels too soft, chill it for 20-30 minutes before baking. This helps with handling and prevents the cookies from spreading too much.
- Add a pinch of espresso powder: Just 1/4 teaspoon of espresso powder to the dry ingredients deepens the chocolate flavor without making the cookies taste like coffee.
Equipment You’ll Need
- Medium mixing bowl for dry ingredients
- Large mixing bowl and electric mixer (or sturdy whisk for hand mixing)
- Mini muffin tin (or regular muffin tin with liners)
- Cookie scoop or teaspoon for portioning
Nutritional Benefits
- Each cookie contains approximately 160 calories, with a balance of fats from peanut butter and chocolate, and carbohydrates from the sugars and flour.
- Peanut butter provides plant-based protein and healthy fats, contributing to satiety and energy balance.
- Dark chocolate (in the semisweet chips and Reese's cups) contains antioxidants like flavonoids, which may support heart health when consumed in moderation.
- The recipe is high in added sugars, so enjoy in moderation as part of a balanced diet. Consider reducing the granulated sugar slightly if you prefer less sweetness.
Reviews
No written reviews yet — be the first to cook this and share how it turned out!
Leave a Review
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use regular-sized Reese's cups instead of mini?
Yes, but cut them in half to fit the mini cookies. Regular-sized cups may overwhelm the small size of the cookies and make them too large to eat comfortably.
Why did my Reese's cups sink to the bottom?
This happens if the cookies are too warm when the cups are added or if the dough was overmixed. Press the cups in firmly while the cookies are still warm but not scalding hot, and avoid overworking the dough.
Can I make this dough ahead of time?
Absolutely! The dough can be refrigerated for up to 24 hours before baking. If chilled, let it sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before portioning to make handling easier.
How do I prevent the cookies from sticking to the pan?
Grease your mini muffin tin or line it with parchment liners thoroughly. If using a regular muffin tin, ensure each well is well-greased or lined to avoid a frustrating cleanup.
Can I substitute crunchy peanut butter?
Yes, but the texture will change. Crunchy peanut butter adds a nice texture contrast, but the cookies may spread slightly more during baking. Use the same amount as the creamy version.
What's the best way to portion the dough evenly?
Use a small cookie scoop or a teaspoon to portion the dough. This ensures each cookie bakes uniformly and the Reese's cup fits snugly. Aim for about 1 tablespoon of dough per cookie.
Why did my cookies turn out cakey instead of chewy?
Too much flour or overmixing can lead to cakey cookies. Measure your flour correctly (spoon and level) and mix the dough just until combined. The brown sugar and butter ratio should also promote chewiness.
Can I bake these in a regular-sized muffin tin?
Yes, but the baking time will increase to 12-15 minutes, and the cookies will be larger. Adjust the portion size to 2 tablespoons of dough per well, and press in a full-sized Reese's cup, cut in half horizontally.
More Sweet Comfort
🔒 From the Vault — 43,000+ premium recipes
Cook This Next