The other day, I passed a community center hosting an after-school program for kids who don’t have much waiting for them at home. I peeked in and saw a volunteer pull out a tray of fresh-baked cookies, and the way those kids lit up—it stopped me in my tracks. It wasn’t just about sweets. It was about comfort, kindness, and maybe a few minutes of peace in what might be a hard day.
That moment stuck with me. I went home and started mixing dough—not just to bake, but to send something warm into the world. These Reese’s Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bites came from that feeling.
I wanted a recipe that would feel like a small gift, something rich, gooey, nostalgic, and fun. Each bite blends smooth peanut butter, melty chocolate, and little bursts of Reese’s pieces that melt just enough to swirl into the dough.
There’s a gentleness to this recipe. It doesn’t require perfection—just a mixing bowl, a warm oven, and a bit of heart. I ended up making a double batch, packaging some up in little brown paper bags, and heading back to the center with a smile. They didn’t ask where the cookies came from. They just said thank you and kept munching. And that felt like the best kind of success.
Short Description
These Reese’s Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bites are a decadent fusion of creamy peanut butter, semi-sweet chocolate, and chopped Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, all nestled into soft, golden-brown cookie dough. These bite-sized cookies are a sweet indulgence that combines all your favorite flavors into one irresistible treat!
Key Ingredients
- ½ cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup (100g) granulated sugar
- ½ cup (100g) brown sugar, packed
- ½ cup (125g) creamy peanut butter
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups (190g) all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (180g) semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup (150g) Reese’s peanut butter cups, chopped into small pieces
Tools Needed
- Large mixing bowl
- Electric mixer or hand mixer
- Measuring spoons and cups
- Cookie scoop or tablespoon
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper or silicone baking mat
- Wire rack
Cooking Instructions
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent the cookies from sticking and ensure an even bake.
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars
In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together until light and fluffy. This will take about 3-4 minutes.
Step 3: Add the Wet Ingredients
Add in the peanut butter, egg, and vanilla extract to the butter-sugar mixture. Beat until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
Step 4: Combine the Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this could make the cookies dense.
Step 5: Fold in the Mix-ins
Gently fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips and chopped Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups using a spatula or spoon. Make sure the add-ins are evenly distributed throughout the dough, so every bite has that perfect balance of peanut butter and chocolate.
Step 6: Scoop and Shape the Dough
Use a small cookie scoop or tablespoon to portion the dough into 1-inch balls. Place the cookie dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for slight spreading during baking.
Step 7: Bake
Bake the cookies for 8–10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. The centers will look soft, but don’t worry—they’ll firm up as they cool. The smell of warm peanut butter and chocolate will be irresistible!
Step 8: Cool
Once baked, allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes. This helps them set and makes transferring them to a wire rack much easier. After that, move them to the wire rack to cool completely.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Perfect balance of creamy peanut butter and rich chocolate.
Bite-sized goodness that makes it easy to enjoy just one (or two… or three!).
Quick and simple to prepare, making it an ideal last-minute dessert or snack.
Kid-friendly—they’re perfect for sharing at parties, picnics, or as an after-school treat.
Mistakes to Avoid & Solutions
1. Overmixing the dough: This can make your cookies dense and tough. Mix the dry ingredients until just combined to keep them light and fluffy.
Solution: Stop mixing once the flour is incorporated, even if the dough seems a bit lumpy.
2. Not spacing the cookies: If you place the dough balls too close together, they’ll merge into one large cookie during baking.
Solution: Leave about 2 inches of space between each cookie dough ball on the baking sheet.
3. Underbaking: Peanut butter cookies can sometimes be tricky to judge. You might think they need more time, but they continue to cook on the sheet as they cool.
Solution: Stick to the baking time (8–10 minutes) and look for golden edges. The center should still look soft.
Serving and Pairing Suggestions
– Serve with a glass of cold milk to balance the sweetness and enhance the peanut butter flavor.
– Pair with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a decadent dessert.
– These cookies are perfect for sharing at family gatherings or baking exchanges.
Storage and Reheating Tips
Storage: Store these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. If you want to keep them fresh longer, refrigerate them for up to a week.
Reheating: Warm the cookies in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds to bring back that soft, gooey texture.
FAQs
1. Can I use chunky peanut butter instead of creamy?
Yes, but it may affect the texture slightly. Chunky peanut butter will give the cookies a bit more texture.
2. Can I use milk chocolate chips instead of semi-sweet?
Absolutely! This will make the cookies a bit sweeter and more chocolatey.
3. Can I freeze the dough?
Yes, you can freeze the dough for up to 3 months. Just scoop the dough into balls and freeze them on a baking sheet. Once frozen, transfer the dough balls to an airtight container.
4. How do I know when the cookies are done?
The edges should be golden, and the center should look soft. The cookies will firm up as they cool.
5. Can I add other mix-ins like nuts or other candy?
Feel free to experiment! Chopped nuts, M&M’s, or white chocolate chips are great additions.
Tips & Tricks
For extra gooey centers: Remove the cookies from the oven when the centers are still soft and slightly underbaked. They’ll firm up as they cool, but remain gooey in the middle.
Scoop the dough evenly to ensure uniform baking. A cookie scoop works wonders for consistency.
Recipe Variations
Add Chopped Nuts: Add ½ cup of chopped peanuts, almonds, or cashews to the dough for an extra crunch.
Double the Chocolate: Add both semi-sweet and milk chocolate chips for a richer chocolate flavor.
Peanut Butter Swirl: Swirl some extra peanut butter into the dough for an added peanut butter punch.
Final Thoughts
Recipes like this remind me how food can speak for you when you don’t know what to say. These cookie bites aren’t just dessert—they’re comfort you can hold in your hands. They carry the kind of joy that shows up in little things: a buttery smell filling your kitchen, warm crumbs sticking to your fingertips, chocolate smudges on a child’s grin.
If you ever feel the world pulling you in too many directions, pause. Bake. Share. These tiny bites might not change the world, but they can change someone’s moment—and sometimes, that’s enough. Keep a few for yourself, of course. You’ve earned it.
Reese’s Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bites
Ingredients
- ½ cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup (100g) granulated sugar
- ½ cup (100g) brown sugar, packed
- ½ cup (125g) creamy peanut butter
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups (190g) all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (180g) semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup (150g) Reese’s peanut butter cups, chopped into small pieces
Instructions
- Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat for easy cleanup and even baking.
- In a large bowl, beat softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar with an electric mixer for 3–4 minutes until light and fluffy.
- Mix in the peanut butter, egg, and vanilla extract. Beat until smooth and fully combined.
- In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. Slowly add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined.
- Gently stir in chocolate chips and chopped Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups until evenly spread throughout the dough.
- Use a small cookie scoop or tablespoon to form 1-inch dough balls. Place them 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 8–10 minutes, until edges are lightly golden and centers still look soft—they’ll set as they cool.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then move them to a wire rack to cool completely.
