Description: Indulge in the ultimate peanut butter experience with these decadent Triple Reese’s Peanut Butter Cookies. Loaded with Reese’s Pieces, Reese’s Peanut Butter Chips, and chopped Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, these cookies are a peanut butter lover’s dream come true. Soft, chewy, and bursting with flavor, they are perfect for satisfying your sweet cravings or sharing with friends and family. Every bite is a symphony of peanut butter perfection, offering a delightful combination of textures and tastes that will leave you wanting more. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or just a cozy night in, these cookies are guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser. They’re easy to make, require minimal ingredients, and deliver maximum flavor, making them a staple in any home baker’s repertoire. Get ready to experience peanut butter bliss with every delicious bite!
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened (113g)
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter (128g)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar (100g)
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar (110g)
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (5ml)
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour (156g)
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda (2.5ml)
- 1/4 teaspoon salt (1.25ml)
- 1/2 cup Reese’s Pieces (85g)
- 1/2 cup Reese’s Peanut Butter Chips (85g)
- 1/2 cup chopped Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups (approx. 4 cups, 60g)
Preparation:
Step 1: Preparing the Dough
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This temperature is crucial for ensuring that the cookies bake evenly and don’t burn on the bottom while still remaining soft in the center. While the oven is preheating, line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Parchment paper prevents the cookies from sticking to the sheet, making cleanup a breeze. Additionally, it helps distribute heat evenly, contributing to uniform baking. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, peanut butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. The butter needs to be properly softened to ensure a smooth and creamy mixture. If the butter is too cold, it won’t blend well with the sugars, resulting in a lumpy dough. If the butter is too melted, the cookies may spread too thin while baking. Cream the ingredients together until the mixture is light and fluffy. This process, often called creaming, incorporates air into the batter, which contributes to the cookie’s light and airy texture. This step typically takes about 3-5 minutes with an electric mixer on medium speed.
Step 2: Adding the Wet Ingredients
Once the butter and sugars are creamed, add the egg and vanilla extract to the mixing bowl. The egg acts as a binder, holding the dough together and adding richness. The vanilla extract enhances the overall flavor profile of the cookies, complementing the peanut butter and chocolate. Mix until all ingredients are well combined, ensuring that there are no streaks of egg or unincorporated vanilla. Overmixing at this stage can lead to tougher cookies, so mix only until everything is uniformly blended.
Step 3: Incorporating the Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Whisking ensures that the dry ingredients are evenly distributed, preventing pockets of baking soda or salt in the final product. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. It’s essential not to overmix the dough once the flour is added. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, resulting in tough, chewy cookies rather than soft, tender ones. Mix until the flour is just incorporated, and no streaks remain.
Step 4: Adding the Reese’s Goodness
Now comes the fun part! Fold in the Reese’s Pieces, Reese’s Peanut Butter Chips, and chopped Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. Folding gently ensures that the candies are evenly distributed throughout the dough without breaking or crushing them. Be sure to chop the Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups into small enough pieces to ensure even distribution and prevent them from overpowering the other flavors. Gently fold until the candies are uniformly dispersed, taking care not to overmix.
Step 5: Shaping and Baking the Cookies
Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of the dough using a cookie scoop or spoon. Rolling the dough into balls ensures uniform baking and a consistent shape. Place the dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading during baking. Flatten each ball slightly with your hand or a spoon. This helps the cookies bake evenly and prevents them from puffing up too much.
Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Keep a close eye on the cookies as baking times can vary depending on the oven. The cookies are done when the edges are set and the centers are still slightly soft. Overbaking will result in dry, crumbly cookies.
Step 6: Cooling and Enjoying
Once baked, let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This allows the cookies to set slightly, preventing them from breaking when moved. Cooling them on a wire rack allows air to circulate around the cookies, preventing them from becoming soggy. Once cooled, the Triple Reese’s Peanut Butter Cookies are ready to be enjoyed!
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Ultimate Peanut Butter Flavor: This recipe combines three different forms of Reese’s peanut butter goodness, creating an explosion of flavor in every bite.
- Soft and Chewy Texture: The perfect balance of ingredients results in cookies that are soft in the center and slightly chewy on the edges.
- Easy to Make: With simple instructions and readily available ingredients, this recipe is perfect for both novice and experienced bakers.
- Customizable: Feel free to add other mix-ins like chocolate chips, pretzels, or nuts to customize the flavor to your liking.
- Crowd-Pleaser: These cookies are guaranteed to be a hit at parties, gatherings, or as a special treat for your family.
Serving Suggestions:
- Serve warm with a glass of cold milk or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
- Pack them in lunchboxes as a delightful midday treat.
- Bring them to a potluck or bake sale for a guaranteed hit.
- Wrap them as a thoughtful homemade gift for friends and family.
- Enjoy them as a simple dessert after a meal.
Tips:
- Softened Butter is Key: Ensure your butter is properly softened for a smooth and creamy dough.
- Don’t Overmix: Overmixing the dough after adding the flour can result in tough cookies.
- Chill the Dough: For thicker cookies, chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking.
- Even Baking: Rotate the baking sheet halfway through baking for even browning.
- Storage: Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Total Time: 27 minutes
Nutritional Information: (approximate, per cookie)
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Protein: 3g
- Sodium: 70mg
Conclusion
These Triple Reese’s Peanut Butter Cookies are a peanut butter lover’s dream come true! Easy to make and packed with flavor, they are perfect for any occasion. The combination of Reese’s Pieces, Reese’s Peanut Butter Chips, and chopped Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups creates a symphony of peanut butter goodness that will leave you wanting more. Whether you are baking for a special occasion or simply craving a sweet treat, these cookies are sure to satisfy. Enjoy the delightful blend of textures and flavors, and make this recipe a staple in your baking repertoire. Happy Baking!
5 Questions and Answers about this Recipe:
Q1: Can I use a different type of peanut butter?
A: Absolutely! While creamy peanut butter is recommended for its smooth texture and even distribution in the dough, you can certainly experiment with chunky peanut butter for added texture or natural peanut butter for a more intense peanut flavor. Keep in mind that natural peanut butter may result in a slightly drier cookie, so you might need to add a tablespoon or two of milk or water to the dough to achieve the desired consistency.
Q2: Can I freeze the cookie dough for later?
A: Yes, you can definitely freeze the cookie dough! After preparing the dough, scoop it into individual balls and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Freeze the dough balls for about an hour, or until they are firm. Then, transfer the frozen dough balls to a freezer-safe bag or container. The dough can be stored in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. When you’re ready to bake the cookies, simply take out the desired number of dough balls, let them thaw slightly for about 10-15 minutes, and then bake as directed in the recipe.
Q3: What if I don’t have Reese’s Peanut Butter Chips or Reese’s Pieces? Can I substitute them with something else?
A: Of course! If you don’t have Reese’s Peanut Butter Chips or Reese’s Pieces on hand, you can easily substitute them with other types of chocolate chips, such as milk chocolate, dark chocolate, or white chocolate chips. Alternatively, you can use chopped nuts like peanuts, pecans, or walnuts for added texture and flavor. For a similar peanut butter flavor, try using chopped peanut butter candies like Butterfingers or Nutter Butters.
Q4: My cookies spread too thin while baking. What could be the reason?
A: There are several reasons why your cookies might have spread too thin. One common cause is that the butter was too soft or melted. Make sure the butter is softened to room temperature but not melted before creaming it with the sugars. Another reason could be that the oven temperature was not accurate, causing the cookies to melt and spread too quickly. Finally, overmixing the dough or using too much liquid can also contribute to spreading. Ensure you measure ingredients accurately and avoid overmixing the dough once the flour is added. Chilling the dough for 30 minutes before baking can also help prevent excessive spreading.
Q5: Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
A: Yes, you can make these cookies gluten-free by substituting the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend. Make sure to choose a blend that contains xanthan gum, as this helps to bind the ingredients together and prevent the cookies from becoming crumbly. Also, be sure to check the labels of the Reese’s Pieces and Reese’s Peanut Butter Chips to ensure they are certified gluten-free, as some brands may contain traces of gluten. Follow the recipe as directed, and you’ll have delicious gluten-free Triple Reese’s Peanut Butter Cookies!
