Reese’s Peanut Butter Cheesecake Cookies are the ultimate indulgence, combining the rich flavors of peanut butter, creamy cheesecake, and chunks of Reese’s candy in every bite. These soft, chewy cookies are perfect for peanut butter lovers and make a delicious treat for any occasion.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Peanut butter bliss: Packed with Reese’s candy and peanut butter flavor.
- Cheesecake twist: The cream cheese adds a tangy, creamy texture to the dough.
- Easy to make: Simple ingredients and straightforward steps.
- Perfect for sharing: Great for parties, holidays, or as a gift.
- Freezer-friendly: Make a batch ahead and freeze for later cravings.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- Cream cheese (softened)
- Unsalted butter (softened)
- Brown sugar
- Granulated sugar
- Peanut butter (creamy or chunky)
- Egg
- Vanilla extract
- All-purpose flour
- Baking powder
- Salt
- Reese’s Pieces or chopped Reese’s peanut butter cups
Directions
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Cream the wet ingredients: In a mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese, butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add the egg and vanilla: Mix in the egg and vanilla extract until fully combined.
- Incorporate peanut butter: Stir in the peanut butter until smooth.
- Mix the dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and mix until just combined.
- Fold in Reese’s candies: Gently fold in the Reese’s Pieces or chopped peanut butter cups.
- Scoop and shape: Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to drop dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Bake: Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
- Serve: Enjoy warm or store for later!
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 24 cookies
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
Variations
- Double chocolate: Add chocolate chips or cocoa powder for extra decadence.
- Crunchy twist: Use chunky peanut butter for added texture.
- Salted caramel: Drizzle caramel sauce over the cooled cookies and sprinkle with flaky sea salt.
- Vegan option: Use plant-based cream cheese, butter, and egg substitutes.
- Gluten-free: Swap the all-purpose flour for a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend.
Storage/Reheating
- Storage: Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- Freezing: Freeze cookie dough balls or baked cookies in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. Bake frozen dough balls directly, adding 1-2 minutes to the bake time.
- Reheating: Warm cookies in the microwave for 10 seconds for a fresh-from-the-oven feel.
FAQs
Can I use natural peanut butter?
Yes, but ensure it’s well-mixed, as the oil separation can affect the texture.
Can I substitute cream cheese with something else?
Mascarpone can work as a substitute, but the flavor will be slightly different.
Are Reese’s Pieces and Reese’s Cups interchangeable?
Yes, both work well, so use whichever you prefer or have on hand.
Can I chill the dough before baking?
Yes, chilling the dough for 30 minutes can enhance the flavor and prevent spreading.
Can I use crunchy peanut butter?
Absolutely! Crunchy peanut butter adds a delightful texture to the cookies.
How do I prevent the cookies from spreading too much?
Ensure your butter and cream cheese are softened but not overly warm, and chill the dough if needed.
Can I make smaller or larger cookies?
Yes, adjust the size and baking time accordingly—smaller cookies bake faster, and larger cookies take longer.
Are these cookies overly sweet?
The sweetness is balanced by the tanginess of the cream cheese, but you can reduce the sugar slightly if desired.
Can I add other candies or mix-ins?
Yes! M&Ms, white chocolate chips, or chopped nuts are great additions.
Are these cookies soft or crispy?
These cookies are soft and chewy with a slightly crispy edge.
Conclusion
Reese’s Peanut Butter Cheesecake Cookies are a decadent treat that combines the best of peanut butter, cheesecake, and chocolatey goodness. Perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth or impressing guests, these cookies are easy to make and impossible to resist. Whip up a batch today and enjoy the rich, indulgent flavors in every bite!
PrintReese’s Peanut Butter Cheesecake Cookies
These Reese’s Peanut Butter Cheesecake Cookies are a decadent treat that combines the rich flavors of cheesecake, peanut butter, and chocolate. Packed with chunks of Reese’s candies, these soft and chewy cookies are perfect for peanut butter lovers and indulgent dessert fans alike.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- For the Cookie Dough:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Mix-ins:
- 1 cup chopped Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups
- 1/2 cup Reese’s Pieces
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
- Prepare the Cookie Dough:
- In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter, cream cheese, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add the peanut butter, egg, and vanilla extract. Mix until well combined.
- Combine Dry Ingredients:
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
- Add Mix-ins:
- Fold in the chopped Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups and Reese’s Pieces.
- Scoop the Dough:
- Using a cookie scoop or spoon, drop dough balls (about 1 1/2 tablespoons each) onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them 2 inches apart.
- Bake:
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are set and the tops look slightly underbaked (they will firm up as they cool).
- Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Serve:
- Enjoy warm with a glass of milk or store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
Notes
- Chill the dough for 20-30 minutes before baking if the mixture is too soft or sticky.
- For extra flair, press a few Reese’s Pieces onto the tops of the cookies before baking.
- Freeze leftover cookies for up to 3 months.