Are you craving a sweet treat that's both incredibly delicious and surprisingly simple to make? Look no further! These Reese's Peanut Butter Cup Cookies are the perfect answer for satisfying your chocolate and peanut butter cravings. This easy recipe requires minimal ingredients and effort, making it ideal for busy weeknights or a fun weekend baking project. Get ready to dive into a world of gooey peanut butter and rich chocolate – it's a flavor explosion in every bite!
Ingredients:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¾ cup packed brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 12 Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, unwrapped and roughly chopped
Instructions:
Get started:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper. This prevents sticking and makes cleanup a breeze.
Make the dough:
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. A stand mixer works great for this, but a hand mixer will do the job perfectly too.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix!
- Stir in the peanut butter and chocolate chips until evenly distributed throughout the dough.
Assemble and bake:
- Drop rounded tablespoons of cookie dough onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie.
- Gently press a few pieces of the chopped Reese's Peanut Butter Cups into the top of each cookie.
- Bake for 9-11 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown. Keep a close eye on them as ovens can vary!
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Tips for the Best Reese's Peanut Butter Cup Cookies:
- Softened butter is key: Make sure your butter is truly softened—this ensures a smooth and creamy cookie dough.
- Don't overmix: Overmixing the dough can lead to tough cookies. Mix until just combined.
- Chill the dough (optional): For thicker cookies, chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking.
- Adjust baking time: Ovens vary, so keep an eye on your cookies and adjust the baking time as needed.
Variations:
- Add nuts: Chopped peanuts or pecans would add a delightful crunch.
- Different chocolate: Use dark chocolate chips or milk chocolate chips instead of semi-sweet.
- Mini Reese's: Use mini Reese's Peanut Butter Cups instead of the larger ones.
Nutritional Information (per cookie, approximate):
Calories: Approximately 250-300 Fat: 14-16g Sugar: 20-25g Protein: 4-5g
This nutritional information is an estimate and may vary depending on the specific ingredients used.
Enjoy these incredibly delicious and easy-to-make Reese's Peanut Butter Cup Cookies! They're perfect for sharing (or not!). This recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, making it a perfect addition to your collection of homemade cooking recipes and quick dinner ideas for satisfying sweet cravings. They're also great for adding to your list of the best recipes for simple, healthy meals.