Decadent Reese's Butter Cookies

This rich, decadent Crumbl Reese's peanut butter cup cookie recipe delivers the ultimate peanut butter experience with a tender cookie base studded with chopped Reese's cups and topped with melted peanut butter chips. Each bite offers the perfect balance of sweet and salty flavors that will satisfy any peanut butter lover's cravings.

I first made these cookies during a weekend baking session with my daughter, and they've quickly become our most requested treat for family gatherings. The way the peanut butter chips melt into the warm cookie creates pure magic that's impossible to resist.

Ingredients

• Smooth peanut butter creates the rich base flavor use a commercial brand like Jif or Skippy for consistent results
• Butter adds tenderness and richness to the cookie dough make sure it's properly softened
• Brown sugar provides a caramel note and chewy texture always pack it firmly in your measuring cup
• Granulated sugar creates the perfect crisp exterior on your cookies
• Room temperature egg binds everything together letting it come to room temp ensures better incorporation
• Vanilla extract enhances all the other flavors use pure rather than imitation for best results
• All purpose flour gives structure to your cookies measure by spooning into cups then leveling
• Baking powder and baking soda work together to create the perfect rise and texture
• Corn starch is the secret to extra tender cookies dont skip this ingredient
• Salt balances the sweetness and enhances the peanut butter flavor
• Reese's peanut butter cups add chocolaty peanut butter pockets throughout the cookie
• Reese's peanut butter chips melt beautifully for the topping found in the baking aisle with chocolate chips
• Oil helps thin the melted peanut butter chips for easier spreading

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prepare Your Baking Space:

Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Having everything ready before you start mixing ensures a smooth baking process and prevents you from scrambling at the last minute.

Cream The Butter And Sugars:

In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened butter, peanut butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar. Beat on medium speed for 2-3 minutes until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. This step incorporates air into the dough which helps create the perfect texture.

Add Wet Ingredients:

Add the room temperature egg and vanilla extract to your butter mixture. Mix until fully combined, about 30 seconds. Scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure everything is evenly incorporated.

Mix Dry Ingredients:

Add the flour, baking powder, baking soda, corn starch, and salt to the bowl. Mix on low speed just until the flour disappears. Overmixing at this stage can make your cookies tough, so stop as soon as the dry ingredients are incorporated.

Fold In Reese's Cups:

Gently fold in the roughly chopped Reese's peanut butter cups using a spatula. This careful folding distributes the pieces throughout the dough without breaking them up too much, ensuring pockets of peanut butter cup goodness in every bite.

Shape Cookie Dough:

Using a large cookie scoop, portion out 9 equal balls of dough. Roll each between your palms to smooth, then gently flatten to about 1 inch thickness. This specific shape helps the cookies bake evenly and achieve that signature Crumbl look.

Chill The Dough:

Place the shaped cookie dough discs in the freezer for 15 minutes. This brief chilling period prevents the cookies from spreading too much during baking and helps them maintain their perfect thick texture.

Bake To Perfection:

Bake the chilled cookies in your preheated oven for 12-13 minutes. They should be slightly golden at the edges but still soft in the center. Dont overbake these cookies as they will continue to set as they cool.

Prepare Peanut Butter Topping:

While the cookies are still hot, melt the peanut butter chips with oil in the microwave using 30second intervals, stirring between each heating. The oil helps create a smooth, pourable consistency that will set beautifully on the cookies.

Add Final Toppings:

Generously spoon the melted peanut butter chip mixture over each hot cookie, spreading it to the edges. Immediately sprinkle with the remaining chopped Reese's cups, pressing them gently into the melted topping so they adhere well.

Cool Completely:

Allow the cookies to cool completely on the baking sheet. This cooling time gives the cookies a chance to set properly and allows the peanut butter topping to firm up to the perfect consistency.

Save This

The corn starch in this recipe is my absolute favorite secret ingredient. I discovered its magic after years of trying to achieve that perfect tender cookie texture that Crumbl is famous for. My family now insists I add it to all our cookie recipes because it makes such a noticeable difference in the final texture.

Storage Instructions

These Crumbl copycat cookies maintain their quality remarkably well when stored properly. Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. The peanut butter topping will naturally firm up over time, which is actually preferred by some of my family members who enjoy the contrast between the soft cookie and the set topping.

For longer storage, refrigerate the cookies for up to 7 days. The cold temperature will make the cookie firmer and the topping harder, but dont worry. Simply microwave a refrigerated cookie for 5-10 seconds before enjoying to restore that freshbaked texture and slightly melty topping that makes these cookies so irresistible.

Customization Options

While the recipe creates a perfect recreation of the classic Crumbl Reeses cookie, you can easily customize it to suit your preferences. Try swapping the peanut butter cups for other candy mix-ins like Butterfingers or Snickers for a different flavor profile. For chocolate lovers, add ¼ cup of cocoa powder to the dough and reduce the flour by the same amount to create a chocolate peanut butter version thats absolutely heavenly.

You can also experiment with the topping by using half peanut butter chips and half chocolate chips for a more balanced chocolate-peanut butter flavor. During the holidays, try adding festive sprinkles on top while the peanut butter layer is still warm for a seasonal touch that kids especially love.

Serving Suggestions

These indulgent cookies are substantial enough to serve as a dessert on their own, but they reach new heights when paired thoughtfully. Serve them slightly warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an elevated dessert experience. The contrast between the cold ice cream and the warm, chewy cookie creates a sensational combination of temperatures and textures.

For an extra special treat, use two cookies to create an ice cream sandwich with peanut butter or chocolate ice cream in the middle. These cookies also pair beautifully with a glass of cold milk, hot coffee, or even a dessert wine if youre serving them at an adult gathering.

Save This

Pro Tips

Allow your butter and egg to come to room temperature naturally for at least 30 minutes before mixing this ensures proper incorporation and the best texture

When measuring flour, use the spoon and level method rather than scooping directly with the measuring cup to avoid dense cookies

For picture perfect cookies, reserve a few extra pieces of Reeses cups to place on top immediately after baking for that beautiful bakery style appearance

Common Questions

→ Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of smooth?

While the recipe calls for smooth peanut butter for consistent texture, you can substitute crunchy peanut butter if you prefer extra texture. Just be aware this will make the cookies slightly more dense and add additional peanut pieces throughout.

→ Why do I need to freeze the dough before baking?

Freezing the flattened cookie dough for 15 minutes helps prevent excessive spreading during baking. This technique ensures your cookies maintain their shape and develop the perfect texture - crisp edges with soft centers.

→ What if I don't have peanut butter chips?

If peanut butter chips aren't available, you can substitute with white chocolate chips melted with 1 tablespoon of peanut butter. Alternatively, skip the melted topping and simply add extra chopped Reese's cups to the warm cookies.

→ Can I make smaller cookies with this recipe?

Absolutely! For smaller cookies, use a medium cookie scoop and reduce the baking time to 9-10 minutes. This will yield approximately 18 cookies instead of 9. Just be sure to adjust the amount of toppings accordingly.

→ How do I know when the cookies are properly baked?

The cookies are done when the edges are set but the centers still look slightly underbaked and soft. They'll continue cooking on the hot baking sheet after removal from the oven, so avoid overbaking for the perfect chewy texture.

→ Can I freeze these cookies for later?

Yes! These cookies freeze beautifully. Store them in an airtight container with parchment between layers for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature or microwave for 15-20 seconds for that fresh-baked taste.