There is nothing quite as delightful as sinking your teeth into these Peanut Butter Cookie Bites with Mini Reese’s Recipe. Imagine a tender, buttery peanut butter cookie that perfectly balances sweetness and saltiness, topped with a melty mini Reese’s peanut butter cup for an extra indulgent touch. These bites combine a rich, creamy peanut butter base with mini chocolate chips, creating a texture that is both chewy and gooey. Whether you’re baking for a crowd or treating yourself, this recipe hits all the right notes and will quickly become a beloved favorite in your kitchen.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of these peanut butter cookie bites lies in their simplicity. Each ingredient is carefully chosen to bring out the best in flavor, texture, and appearance. From the creamy peanut butter to the rich mini Reese’s, everything works together seamlessly to create a cookie bite that’s impossible to resist.
- 115 g unsalted butter, softened: Adds depth and richness while keeping the cookies tender.
- 120 g creamy peanut butter: The star ingredient that ensures every bite bursts with peanutty goodness.
- 100 g granulated sugar: Sweetens the dough and helps achieve the perfect golden color.
- 110 g packed brown sugar: Adds moisture and a hint of caramel flavor for extra chewiness.
- 1 large egg: Binds everything together and contributes to a soft, cake-like texture.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Elevates the overall flavor with a warm, fragrant note.
- 155 g all-purpose flour: Provides structure to the cookie, balancing softness and shape.
- 0.5 teaspoon baking soda: Helps the cookies rise slightly and creates a light crumb.
- 0.25 teaspoon salt: Enhances all the sweet and nutty flavors for perfect balance.
- 130 g mini chocolate chips: Speckles of melty chocolatiness that make every bite exciting.
- 24 mini Reese’s peanut butter cups, unwrapped: The crowning glory that melts into each warm cookie bite.
How to Make Peanut Butter Cookie Bites with Mini Reese’s Recipe
Step 1: Get the Oven Ready
Begin by preheating your oven to 175°C. A moderate temperature ensures the cookies bake evenly and develop just the right amount of golden color without drying out.
Step 2: Cream the Butters and Sugars
In a large mixing bowl, whip the softened butter, creamy peanut butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is smooth and fluffy. This step is crucial as it incorporates air, giving the cookie a light, tender crumb and balancing the rich flavors.
Step 3: Add Egg and Vanilla
Beat in one large egg along with a teaspoon of vanilla extract until everything is well combined and glossy. This adds moisture and enhances the sweet, nutty aroma of the dough.
Step 4: Mix Dry Ingredients Separately
In another bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Combining these dry ingredients prior to mixing them with the wet ensures an even distribution and a consistent texture throughout your cookie bites.
Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the creamed butter and sugar mixture. Stir gently until just combined—overmixing can make the cookie bites tough rather than tender.
Step 6: Fold in the Mini Chocolate Chips
Gently incorporate the mini chocolate chips, being careful to distribute them evenly. These create delightful pockets of melty chocolate that complement the peanut butter perfectly.
Step 7 and 8: Prepare the Pan and Shape the Dough
Lightly grease a mini muffin pan to prevent sticking. Then roll the dough into 2.5 cm balls and place each into a muffin cup, giving them enough space to spread without merging.
Step 9: Bake to Perfection
Bake your cookies for 10 to 12 minutes, keeping an eye out for lightly golden tops. The smell filling your kitchen at this stage is pure magic and guarantees an unmistakable peanut butter treat.
Step 10: Add the Mini Reese’s
Right after removing the cookies from the oven, press one mini Reese’s peanut butter cup into the center of each warm cookie. The heat will start to melt the chocolate and the peanut butter filling, fusing everything into an irresistible bite.
Step 11: Cool Before Enjoying
Let your cookie bites cool in the pan for about 10 minutes to firm up before transferring them to a wire rack. Cooling completely allows the cookies to set properly, making them easier to handle and enjoy.
How to Serve Peanut Butter Cookie Bites with Mini Reese’s Recipe
Garnishes
For an extra touch of fun and flair, sprinkle a pinch of flaky sea salt or drizzle melted chocolate over the cookie bites just before serving. This adds a sophisticated contrast to the sweetness that keeps these treats feeling special.
Side Dishes
These cookie bites pair beautifully with a cold glass of milk or a hot cup of coffee. For kids and adults alike, the classic combination brings out the best in the peanut butter and chocolate flavors.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve your Peanut Butter Cookie Bites with Mini Reese’s Recipe on a rustic wooden board or a colorful platter to showcase their inviting golden hue. You could also stack them alongside some fresh berries or a scoop of vanilla ice cream to create a stunning dessert spread.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep leftover cookie bites in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days to retain their soft texture. If you prefer them slightly firmer, refrigeration is an option, but bringing them back to room temperature before eating is best.
Freezing
You can freeze these cookie bites for up to 2 months. Arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze individually before transferring to a freezer-safe container. This way, you can enjoy your Peanut Butter Cookie Bites with Mini Reese’s Recipe whenever a craving strikes.
Reheating
To bring frozen or refrigerated cookie bites back to life, warm them in a preheated oven at 150°C for about 5 minutes. This reheating helps the mini Reese’s soften just like when freshly baked, recapturing that melt-in-your-mouth experience.
FAQs
Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy?
Absolutely! Crunchy peanut butter will add a delightful crunch to your cookie bites and give them an extra texture boost. Just keep in mind it might change the overall softness slightly.
Are mini Reese’s necessary for the recipe?
While mini Reese’s peanut butter cups are a signature finish to these bites, you could experiment with chopped peanut butter cups or even a dollop of peanut butter and chocolate chips if mini Reese’s aren’t available.
Can I make these cookie bites gluten-free?
Yes! Simply substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend of your choice. Be aware of potential differences in texture, so adjust baking time accordingly.
How do I prevent the cookie bites from spreading too much during baking?
Chilling the dough for 15-30 minutes before shaping can help the cookies hold their shape better. Also, be careful not to over-grease your muffin pan as too much oil can cause spreading.
Is it okay to freeze the cookie dough before baking?
Definitely! Freezing the dough balls can be a great way to prepare ahead. Bake them straight from the freezer, adding a couple of minutes to the baking time for perfectly fresh cookie bites anytime.
Final Thoughts
If you want a snack that feels like a warm hug, the Peanut Butter Cookie Bites with Mini Reese’s Recipe is exactly what you need. These bites blend smooth peanut butter, gooey chocolate, and irresistible softness into one perfect treat. Once you try them, they’ll quickly become your go-to recipe whenever you’re craving a little homemade comfort.
Print
Peanut Butter Cookie Bites with Mini Reese’s Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 32 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookie bites
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Delight in these irresistible Peanut Butter Cookie Bites that perfectly combine creamy peanut butter, rich chocolate chips, and a gooey mini Reese’s peanut butter cup center. Easy to make and baked to golden perfection, these bite-sized treats are ideal for snacking, parties, or whenever a sweet peanut butter craving hits.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 115 g unsalted butter, softened
- 120 g creamy peanut butter
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 155 g all-purpose flour
- 0.5 teaspoon baking soda
- 0.25 teaspoon salt
Sugar
- 100 g granulated sugar
- 110 g packed brown sugar
Additional Mix-ins
- 130 g mini chocolate chips
- 24 mini Reese’s peanut butter cups, unwrapped
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 175°C (350°F) to prepare for baking your cookie bites.
- Cream Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened unsalted butter, creamy peanut butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Use a mixer or beat by hand until the mixture is smooth, fluffy, and well blended.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until fully incorporated, enhancing the texture and flavor of the dough.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening agent and salt.
- Combine Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, mixing gently until just combined to avoid overworking the dough.
- Add Chocolate Chips: Fold in the mini chocolate chips carefully to ensure they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
- Prepare Baking Pan: Lightly grease a mini muffin pan to prevent sticking and ease removal of the cookie bites after baking.
- Shape Dough: Roll dough into 2.5 cm (approximately 1-inch) balls and place each ball into the prepared mini muffin cups, ensuring even portioning.
- Bake Cookies: Bake the cookie bites in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the tops are lightly golden brown, signaling that they are cooked through.
- Add Reese’s Cups: Immediately after removing from the oven, press one mini Reese’s peanut butter cup into the center of each warm cookie to create a gooey, melty center.
- Cool: Allow the cookie bites to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely, setting the texture and making them easy to handle.
Notes
- For best results, use softened butter at room temperature to ensure smooth creaming with the sugars.
- Do not overmix the dough once the flour is added to keep the cookies tender.
- If you prefer a stronger peanut butter flavor, consider increasing the peanut butter slightly.
- These cookie bites can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- Mini muffin pans yield perfectly portioned cookie bites, but a standard muffin pan will result in larger cookies and require longer baking time.
- Pressing the Reese’s into warm cookies helps them melt slightly for a delicious filling.
