Reese’s Pieces Peanut Butter Cookies
Decadent Reese’s Pieces Peanut Butter Cookies are a peanut butter lover’s dream. Studded with chocolate-coated peanut butter candies, crisp on the outside and soft inside, this fun twist on traditional peanut butter cookies is a treat and fun to bake year round, even though they have Halloween vibes and colors. No chill time necessary!
2025 Update: This recipe was originally shared in October 2015. I updated the recipe for better results and to add weighted measurements. The recipe and post include new photos, as well as more tips and tricks. I hope you love them!
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The BEST Peanut Butter Reese’s Pieces Cookies
Peanut butter has always been one of my favorite snacks. As in… I would eat spoonfuls of it as a kid. Preferably sprinkled with chocolate chips.
Peanut butter and chocolate is just the perfect combination.
Which probably explains why I love Reese’s Pieces candies so much.
When we purchased our first home in 2012, we learned very quickly that Halloween was a very big deal in our neighborhood and learned to stock up.
However, we always had a ton of Halloween candy leftover in our home after the trick-or-treaters called it a night. And since I only purchase candy I adore to hand out, I find myself nibbling on the leftovers throughout the coming months.
Back in 2014, we had a ton of mini Reese’s Pieces, and I decided to add them to a peanut butter cookie recipe.
And that’s how we arrived at this recipe..
Why I love this recipe:
If you love peanut butter, you’re going to ADORE this cookie recipe because it is very peanut butter-forward.
These Reeses Pieces Cookies are dense, but in a good way. The exterior has a nice crunch while the inside is soft and chewy.
Also, the Reese’s Pieces melt just slightly inside the cookies to create a little gooeyness whenever you bite in.
When testing this recipe for me, one of my kids commented, “They kind of give me Halloween vibes with the colors.”
She’s not wrong… though this recipe is not JUST for Halloween (or directly after it, when you have candy leftover.) You could easily and happily bake these beauties year-round.
Bonus: You don’t have to chill the dough before baking and enjoying these cookies! So they’re ready sooner!
Whether you’re making this cookie recipe for Halloween (because it’s got great color), to use up some Halloween leftovers or just because you love peanut butter desserts, you’re in for a treat!
More Halloween dessert recipes to trey: Halloween Oreo Rice Krispie Treats | Halloween Chocolate Cookies with White Chocolate Chips | Cheesecake Dip | Halloween Funfetti Cookies | Halloween Rice Krispie Treats
What you need to make this recipe:
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- Sheet pan or cookie sheets
- Nonstick baking mat or parchment paper
- Large mixing bowl
- An electric mixer, like a hand mixer or stand mixer
- Rubber spatula
- 1.5-tablespoon cookie scoop
Let’s talk ingredients!
In addition to the tools above, you’re going to need some ingredients to make this recipe, too! Chances are, you might already have some of them in your fridge or pantry. Scroll down to the recipe card for the full measurements and instructions.
- Natural peanut butter — I love how peanutty natural peanut butter is, and it adds to both flavor and texture for these cookies. I have not tried this cookie recipe with regular peanut butter, but I’m sure that would work just fine, too. Just be sure to stir the peanut butter well if there is oil separation in the jar before measuring.
- Unsalted butter— this works with the peanut butter as the base for our cookies.
- Sweeteners — we’re using a combination of dark brown sugar and granulated sugar (also known as white sugar) to sweeten these cookies.
- Eggs — you’ll want them to be at room temperature to where they mix in more smoothly. They provide structure to the cookie recipe.
- Vanilla extract — if you can afford it, the real deal kind is where it’s at!
- All-purpose flour — we keep unbleached AP flour at our house, but you can use the regular kind, too.
- Baking powder — this is going to help the cookies rise. Make sure it’s fresh. This is not the same thing as baking soda.
- Kosher salt — I like to use a fine grain kosher salt here. You could also use a fine grain sea salt, too.
- Reese’s Pieces — you’ll need quite a bit of these chocolate-coated peanut butter candies, so make sure you’ve got enough before you get started! These add extra peanut butter flavor to the cookies!
How to make Reese’s Pieces Cookies with Peanut Butter
Preheat the oven. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a nonstick baking mat, and set aside.
Blend the peanut butter and butter together in a large bowl until well incorporated.
I used a hand mixer, but you could easily do this with a stand mixer. I do not recommend doing it by hand.
Measure in the brown sugar and granulated sugar to the peanut butter mixture.
Cream together for 2-3 minutes, or until the sugars are well mixed into the peanut butter mixture.
Crack the eggs, then pour them into the batter.
Add the vanilla extract.
Mix until smooth and fragrant.
Sift the flour, baking powder and salt together in a separate bowl. Pour them into the wet ingredients.
Use the mixer on a lower speed to blend the ingredients together. Once they start clumping, beat on a higher speed until smooth and combined.
Sprinkle in the Reese’s Pieces.
Fold into the batter using a rubber spatula or the hand mixer on a slow setting until just incorporated.
Use a cookie scoop to measure the cookie dough onto the prepared baking sheet. (I used a 1.5-tablespoon cookie scoop.)
Space the cookies about 1″ apart so they can spread a little as they bake. This step is really important so that the cookies aren’t too fluffy.
Flatten the tops of the cookie dough down with the palm of your hand.
Press a few additional Reese’s Pieces on to the tops of the cookies.
Bake for 13-15 minutes, or until the cookies are set and golden brown.
Remove from the oven, and cool on a wire rack until completely cooled.
Enjoy!
How to store:
Let the cookies cool completely before storing in an airtight container on the countertop. They should last for 5-6 days, though the texture will change the longer they sit.
You can also easily freeze this cookie dough. Place the cookie scoops on a lined sheet pan, and freeze until solid. Transfer to a freezer bag for up to 3 months, and bake from frozen in a preheated oven.
Erin’s Easy Entertaining Tips
Cookies are always a good idea, right? (And they are the perfect addition to any Cookie Gift Box, if you’re looking to share. Just be mindful that these are peanut butter and peanut butter is a strong flavor that will overpower other cookies in the box with them if you’re not careful.)
They’re also fabulous for a cookie platter!
Here are some tips and tricks to making these beauties for a crowd:
- Make-ahead instructions: Put together the dough the day before. Chill overnight and bake ’em off in the morning. You’ll be glad you did!
- Double the recipe if you’re hosting several people OR wanting to share these goodies with friends and family.
- Serve them at a Cookie Swap Party… but serve them on a separate platter since the peanut butter can be strong!
Frequently Asked Questions
You probably can, but I haven’t tested this recipe with that. So proceed with caution – and know that your cookies’ texture and flavor might be a little different than if you use unsweetened natural peanut butter.
Feel free! Just make sure your measurements of another candy with the Reese’s Pieces equals what the recipe card says since too many mix ins will change the texture and bake time of these.
Quick tips and tricks to the best cookies:
- Measure the ingredients correctly. Don’t press the flour into the measuring scoop. I recommend using a kitchen scale for accuracy.
- Use a cookie scoop for perfectly shaped cookies every time.
- Add extra Reese’s Pieces on top of each cookie to make them beautiful.
- Make sure your oven is running at the correct temperature. If your cookies tend to overbake or take longer than a recipe says, consider purchasing an oven thermometer to live inside your oven to confirm the temperature is reading correctly.
Need more recipes that use leftover Halloween candy?
Looking for more cookie recipes? Caramel Corn Cookies, SNICKERS Chunk Cookies and Halloween Monster Cookies are two family favorites.
Love a combination of flavors together? You should definitely make Dessert Nachos.
Just interested in these beauties?
Scroll on down to learn how I baked them…
Reese’s Pieces Peanut Butter Cookies
Ingredients
- ¾ cup natural peanut butter unsweetened
- ½ cup unsalted butter softened
- 1 cup brown sugar packed
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 eggs at room temperature
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 ⅓ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 ½ cups Reese’s Pieces
Equipment
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Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a nonstick baking mat, and set aside.
- Blend the peanut butter and butter together in a large mixing bowl until well incorporated using a hand mixer or a stand mixer.
- Measure in the brown sugar and granulated sugar to the peanut butter mixture. Cream together for 2-3 minutes, or until the sugars are well mixed into the peanut butter mixture.
- Crack the eggs, then pour them into the batter. Add the vanilla extract. Mix until smooth and fragrant.
- Sift the flour, baking powder and salt together, then pour them into the wet ingredients. Use the mixer on a lower speed to blend the ingredients together. Once they start clumping, beat on a higher speed until smooth and combined.
- Sprinkle in the Reese's Pieces, and fold into the batter using a rubber spatula or the hand mixer on a slow setting.
- Use a cookie scoop to measure the cookie dough onto the prepared baking sheet. (I used a 1.5-tablespoon scoop.) Space the cookies about 1" apart so they can spread a little as they bake. Flatten the tops of the cookie dough down with the palm of your hand, then press a few additional Reese's Pieces on to the tops of the cookies.
- Bake for 13-15 minutes, or until the cookies are set and golden brown.
- Remove from the oven, and cool on a wire rack until completely cooled.
- Enjoy!
Video
Notes
Nutrition
About the Author:
Erin Parker is a Southern gal living in Texas with her husband and two daughters. She started The Speckled Palate to share what she was cooking as a newlywed… and over the years, it’s evolved to capture her love for hosting. Specifically, the EASIEST, lowest key entertaining because everyone deserves to see their people and connect over good food. Learn more about her…
I love to bake with leftover Halloween candy, too! These look so good! Reese’s, in whole or piece form, are totally my weakness.
I’m so glad I’m not the only one who repurposes her candy for cookies! And I feel you — Reese’s are my FAVORITE. So, so, so ridiculously good!
These sounds and look SO good!
Thanks so much, Rachel! They’re pretty darn tasty!
If I bought Reese’s Pieces to hand out, I’m not sure they would make it to Halloween! I used to get RPs in blizzards at Dairy Queen and it was the best. These cookies do look good, although since I don’t like chocolate I’d make them with white chocolate chips.
My husband’s favorite candy is Reese’s Pieces – I bet he would LOVE these cookies!!! 🙂
I think you should TOTALLY surprise him with some of these cookies! <3
Reese’s Pieces in peanut butter cookies are my ultimate weakness! I can’t wait to make them!
Please do, and let me know what you think! So happy I’m not the only person who has a weakness for peanut butter and chocolate desserts!
If I bought Reese’s Pieces to hand out, I’m not sure they would make it to Halloween! I used to get RPs in blizzards at Dairy Queen and it was the best. These cookies do look good, although since I don’t like chocolate I’d make them with white chocolate chips.
I ran into that problem last Halloween, except it was the York Peppermint Patties that did me in! They’re just SO GOOD. Ugh. As are the Reese’s Pieces.
I love that you used to get them in blizzards. I’ve never tried that combo before, and I clearly need to fix that on our next road trip! And there’s not too much chocolate here — just the chocolate coating the Reese’s Pieces — so hopefully, they’ll be good for you, too!
Ooh it’s like peanut butter squared! I only discovered Reese’s Pieces on my trip to the US this month! Luckily I brought a big bag home with me and now I can enjoy them in these delicious cookies! I can’t wait to make them!
ALL the peanut butter for the win!!! I love that you recently discovered Reese’s Pieces and that you brought home a bag for yourself. Smart move, lady! When you make these, let me know what you think!
These look incredible and the perfect postpartum treat!
I think they’d be a FANTASTIC postpartum treat, lady! Also? You could (probably!) do half the flour and half oatmeal to help with milk production and call them lactation cookies. 😉 If you need an excuse for that, haha.
I’m such a sucker for anything reeses and anything in the form of a cookie. You’ve got me on both accounts! I’ll have to add these to my holiday baking list.
I’m a sucker for both of them, too, so yeaaaaaaah. I hope you enjoy these cookies as much as we did!
My husband’s favorite candy is Reese’s Pieces – I bet he would LOVE these cookies!!! 🙂