Reese Pieces Stuffed Cookies are the ultimate treat if you love soft, chewy cookies loaded with peanut butter flavor and a surprise candy crunch in every bite. These bakery-style cookies are thick, melty, and packed with colorful Reese’s candy, and they’re surprisingly easy to make at home—even if you’re a beginner baker. If you’re already obsessed with Reese’s Pieces Cookies and all things peanut butter and chocolate, this recipe is about to become your new go-to dessert for parties, holidays, or cozy nights in.
Nutritional Benefits
These cookies are definitely an indulgent dessert, but it’s still helpful to understand what’s in each serving so you can enjoy them mindfully or make tweaks if you like.
| Nutrition | Per Cookie (approx.) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 380–420 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 48–55 g |
| Protein | 6–7 g |
| Total Fat | 18–22 g |
| Saturated Fat | 9–11 g |
| Sugar | 30–36 g |
| Fiber | 1–2 g |
| Sodium | 160–220 mg |
Peanut butter and chocolate candies add:
– A bit of protein and healthy fats from the peanuts
– Quick energy from the sugars and carbs
– Some calcium and iron from the flour and chocolate
For a lighter twist, you can reduce the portion size, swap some sugar, or try a smaller batch alongside more balanced snacks.
Ingredients & Substitutions
Here’s what you’ll need to make these thick, chewy cookies with a stuffed candy center.
| Ingredient | Role | Possible Substitutions |
|---|---|---|
| All-purpose flour | Provides structure so cookies hold their shape | Use 1:1 gluten-free baking blend for a gluten-free version |
| Baking soda | Helps cookies spread and rise slightly | In a pinch, use 1.5x baking powder and reduce salt slightly |
| Salt | Balances sweetness and enhances flavor | Use fine sea salt; reduce slightly if using salted butter |
| Unsalted butter (softened) | Adds richness, flavor, and chewy texture | Salted butter (reduce added salt), or plant-based butter sticks for dairy-free |
| Creamy peanut butter | Boosts peanut flavor and tenderness | Use commercial creamy PB; natural PB can work if well-stirred and slightly thick |
| Brown sugar | Adds moisture, chewiness, and caramel flavor | Light or dark brown sugar; or mix white sugar with a bit of molasses |
| Granulated sugar | Helps cookies spread and crisp at the edges | Coconut sugar (for deeper flavor) or superfine sugar |
| Large eggs | Bind ingredients and add structure | For egg-free, use a commercial egg replacer or a thick flax egg |
| Vanilla extract | Rounds out the sweet, bakery-style flavor | Vanilla paste or almond extract (use half the amount) |
| Chocolate chips (semi-sweet) | Add pockets of melty chocolate | Milk, dark, or white chocolate chips; chopped chocolate bars |
| Reese’s Pieces candies | Signature crunch, color, and peanut butter flavor | Peanut butter chips or other candy-coated chocolates if needed |
| Mini or full-size peanut butter cups (for stuffing) | Creates the gooey stuffed center | Any peanut butter cup brand, or other filled chocolate candies |
Equipment Needed
– Mixing bowls (one large, one medium)
– Electric hand mixer or stand mixer with paddle
– Measuring cups and spoons or a kitchen scale
– Rubber spatula or wooden spoon
– Baking sheets
– Parchment paper or silicone baking mats
– Cookie scoop (medium or large)
– Cooling rack
Step-by-Step Instructions
Here’s exactly how to make Reese Pieces Stuffed Cookies so they turn out thick, soft, and perfectly baked every time—ideal if you love fun, candy-loaded baking projects like Reese’s Pieces Cookies and other over-the-top peanut butter treats.
1. Prep your pan and oven
– Line your baking sheets with parchment or silicone mats.
– Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) so it’s fully hot when your dough is ready.
2. Whisk the dry ingredients
– In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt.
– Set aside so it’s ready to add to the butter mixture later.
3. Cream butter, peanut butter, and sugars
– In a large bowl, beat softened butter and creamy peanut butter until smooth and fluffy.
– Add brown sugar and granulated sugar, then beat 1–2 minutes until lighter in color.
4. Add eggs and vanilla
– Mix in the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
– Stir in the vanilla extract until everything looks smooth and glossy.
5. Combine wet and dry
– Add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients on low speed.
– Mix just until no streaks of flour remain—don’t overmix or the cookies can get tough.
6. Fold in the chocolate and candy
– Gently fold in chocolate chips and a generous handful of Reese’s Pieces.
– The dough will be thick and slightly sticky, which is perfect for stuffing.
7. Chill the dough briefly (recommended)
– Chill the dough in the fridge for 20–30 minutes to make it easier to handle and help the cookies stay thick.
– While it chills, unwrap your peanut butter cups for stuffing.
8. Shape and stuff the cookies
– Scoop a generous ball of dough (about 2–3 tablespoons).
– Flatten it slightly in your palm, press a peanut butter cup into the center, then wrap the dough around it so no candy is peeking out.
– Place on the baking sheet, leaving space between cookies as they will spread a bit.
9. Top with more candy
– Press a few extra Reese’s Pieces gently onto the tops for a bakery-style look.
– This makes the colors pop once baked.
10. Bake to soft perfection
– Bake 10–13 minutes, until the edges are set and lightly golden but the centers still look slightly underdone.
– The cookies will continue to cook on the tray as they cool.
11. Cool and serve
– Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5–10 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack.
– Enjoy warm for a gooey center or fully cooled for a firmer, chewy bite that still captures that Reese’s Pieces Cookies magic.
Troubleshooting & Pro Tips
– Cookies spreading too much?
– Chill the dough longer (30–45 minutes), or add 1–2 extra tablespoons of flour.
– Too thick and not spreading?
– Let the dough warm slightly at room temperature, or reduce the flour by a tablespoon next time.
– Dry or crumbly dough
– Make sure you measured the flour correctly—spooned and leveled or weighed. Add 1–2 teaspoons of milk if needed.
– Overbrowning on the bottom
– Use light-colored baking sheets and bake on the middle rack.
– Want bigger, bakery-style cookies?
– Use a large scoop and stuff with a full-size peanut butter cup, then bake 1–2 minutes longer and let them cool on the sheet.
– Peanut butter flavor not strong enough?
– Add an extra tablespoon of peanut butter, or fold in peanut butter chips along with the candy pieces.
Storage & Make-Ahead Tips
– Room temperature
– Store fully cooled cookies in an airtight container for 3–4 days. They stay soft and chewy.
– Freezing baked cookies
– Freeze in a single layer until firm, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temp or warm in the microwave for 10–15 seconds.
– Freezing unbaked dough balls
– Shape and stuff the dough, place the balls on a tray to freeze, then store in a freezer bag up to 2 months.
– Bake from frozen, adding 1–2 extra minutes to the bake time.
– Make-ahead for parties
– Prepare the dough a day ahead, keep it covered in the fridge, then scoop, stuff, and bake right before serving for that fresh bakery aroma.
Conclusion
Reese Pieces Stuffed Cookies are everything a peanut butter and chocolate lover could ask for: thick, melty, candy-studded, and incredibly fun to bake and share. Whether you’re hosting a party, building a dessert board, or just craving a cozy night treat inspired by over-the-top goodies like Reese’s Pieces Cookies and other peanut-butter-packed sweets, these stuffed cookies will absolutely steal the show and earn a permanent spot in your baking rotation.
FAQ
1. Can I make these without peanut butter cups in the center?
Yes. Simply skip the stuffing step and roll the dough into balls with the candies mixed in. Reduce the bake time by about 1 minute since the cookies will be slightly smaller.
2. Can I use natural peanut butter?
You can, but results vary. Use a thick, well-stirred natural peanut butter with minimal oil separation. If the dough seems too soft or greasy, chill it longer and consider adding 1–2 tablespoons more flour.
3. How do I make these more “kid friendly” for parties?
Use mini peanut butter cups for smaller stuffed centers, make smaller scoops, and press extra colorful candies on top. Kids love seeing the bright candy pieces on the surface.
4. Can I make a healthier version?
You can experiment with part whole-wheat flour, slightly reducing sugar, or making smaller cookies. Just note that major changes will affect texture—test a small batch first.
5. How do I keep the centers melty after they cool?
Warm individual cookies in the microwave for about 10–15 seconds before serving. This softens the peanut butter cup center and brings back that just-baked texture.
If you love creative peanut butter desserts as much as I do, you’ll also enjoy trying fun twists like Reeses Brownies or other candy-stuffed bakes, and don’t miss pairing a batch of these cookies with this cozy Reese’s Pieces Cookies inspired game-day snack idea.
Follow me on Pinterest for more Reese Pieces Stuffed Cookies.
