Reese’s Peanut Butter Cookie Bites Recipe
Delight in these irresistible Reese’s Peanut Butter Cookie Bites, featuring a soft cookie exterior encasing a creamy peanut butter center, topped with semi-sweet chocolate chips and optional colorful candies for added crunch and flavor. Perfectly golden and gooey, these bite-sized treats are easy to make and sure to satisfy any sweet tooth.
- Author: zara
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 24-30 cookie bites 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 egg (optional)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
Peanut Butter Filling
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
Toppings and Finishing
- 1½ cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- ¼ cup crushed Reese’s Pieces, chopped peanuts, or mini M&Ms (optional)
- 1 egg yolk mixed with 1 tablespoon water for brushing
- Prep and Preheat: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a muffin tin with paper liners to keep the cookie bites from sticking and to ease removal after baking.
- Make Cookie Dough: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. Beat in the egg if using, along with the vanilla extract until fully combined. Gradually add the all-purpose flour and mix gently until a soft dough forms.
- Prepare Peanut Butter Filling: In a separate bowl, combine the creamy peanut butter and powdered sugar. Beat them together until smooth and creamy. Roll this mixture into 24 to 30 small balls and refrigerate them for about 10 minutes to firm up.
- Assemble Cookie Bites: Press portions of the cookie dough into each muffin cup, creating a small well in the center of each. Place one chilled peanut butter ball into each well. Sprinkle the tops with semi-sweet chocolate chips and, if desired, the optional crushed Reese’s Pieces, chopped peanuts, or mini M&Ms. Add a small piece of the remaining dough on top to partially cover the fillings.
- Add Golden Finish: Brush the tops of each cookie bite with the egg yolk wash (the egg yolk mixed with water) to give them a glossy, golden finish after baking.
- Bake: Place the muffin tin in the oven and bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the edges turn lightly golden brown and the centers are just set.
- Cool and Serve: Let the cookie bites cool in the muffin tin for about 5 minutes. Then transfer them carefully to a wire rack to cool completely. The peanut butter center will be warm and gooey at first, setting more as it cools.
Notes
- If you prefer firmer cookie bites, chill the dough before assembling.
- The egg is optional; omitting it will slightly change the texture but still yield tasty results.
- For a nut-free alternative, substitute the peanut butter with sunflower seed butter and omit Reese’s Pieces or nuts.
- Be sure not to overbake to maintain the gooey peanut butter center.
Keywords: Reese's peanut butter cookie bites, peanut butter cookies, chocolate chip cookies, bite-sized cookies, easy dessert, peanut butter filling