Peanut Butter Cup Cookies

STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE TO MAKING PEANUT BUTTER CUP COOKIES

Making Reese’s peanut butter cup cookies is a simple process that results in delicious, melt-in-your-mouth cookies. Follow these easy steps, and you’ll have your cookies ready in no time. We’ll break down each step with as much detail as possible to ensure that you don’t miss a thing.

STEP 1: PREPARE THE OVEN AND COOKIE SHEET

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures that your oven reaches the perfect temperature by the time your cookie dough is ready to go in. Next, line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to ensure that your cookies don’t stick and bake evenly. The parchment paper also helps with easy cleanup after you’re done baking.

STEP 2: CREAM TOGETHER BUTTER AND PEANUT BUTTER

In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened butter and peanut butter. Using an electric mixer, beat the butter and peanut butter together until the mixture is smooth and creamy. This step helps create the perfect texture for the cookies. Make sure the butter is softened to room temperature to prevent clumping and ensure smooth mixing. If you don’t have an electric mixer, you can use a whisk and some elbow grease to mix the ingredients together until smooth.

STEP 3: ADD SUGARS AND EGGS

Now that the butter and peanut butter mixture is smooth, it’s time to add the sugars. Add both the granulated sugar and the brown sugar to the mixture. Beat until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. This process adds air to the dough, helping to create light, soft cookies. Next, add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. The eggs help bind the ingredients together and provide structure to the cookies. Stir in the vanilla extract to add that warm, aromatic flavor that will complement the peanut butter and chocolate.

STEP 4: MIX DRY INGREDIENTS

In a separate basin, combine all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. The flour provides the structure for the cookies, while the baking soda helps them rise slightly and become airy. The salt enhances the sweetness and balances the flavor. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet components, stirring until just blended. Be careful not to overmix at this stage, as overmixing can cause the cookies to be tough and dense.

STEP 5: FOLD IN PEANUT BUTTER CUPS

Gently fold in the chopped mini peanut butter cups into the cookie dough. These will add extra pockets of peanut butter and chocolate inside the cookies, making them extra special. The peanut butter cups will melt slightly during baking, creating gooey pockets of peanut butter and chocolate. If you prefer a more indulgent treat, you can also fold in some chopped Reese’s peanut butter cups. For an even richer chocolate flavor, use dark chocolate peanut butter cups for a more intense chocolate taste.

STEP 6: FORM THE COOKIE DOUGH BALLS

Use a tablespoon or a cookie scoop to portion out the dough and roll them into balls. This ensures that all the cookies are the same size and will bake evenly. Place each dough ball on the prepared baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches between them. This will give them room to spread as they bake. Be careful not to overcrowd the baking sheet, as the cookies need space to expand.

STEP 7: BAKE THE COOKIES

Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies turn golden brown. Keep an eye on them as they bake to ensure they don’t overcook. The centers should still look slightly soft when you remove the cookies from the oven. This will ensure that they stay soft and chewy once they cool.

STEP 8: COOL AND ENJOY

Once the cookies are baked to perfection, remove them from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This allows the cookies to set and firm up slightly, preventing them from falling apart. These cookies are best enjoyed once they’ve cooled down, but feel free to indulge in one while they’re still warm!

TIPS FOR PERFECT PEANUT BUTTER CUP COOKIES

To make sure your peanut butter cookies with peanut butter cups turn out perfectly every time, here are some helpful tips:

USE ROOM TEMPERATURE INGREDIENTS

Ensure your butter and eggs are at room temperature before you begin mixing. This will help the ingredients blend more easily and create a smoother dough. Cold butter or eggs will not mix well and can cause clumps in your dough.

DON’T OVERBAKE

One of the keys to making perfect cookies is not to overbake them. Remember that cookies will continue to cook slightly on the baking sheet once they’re out of the oven. So, take them out when the edges are golden brown, and the centers are slightly soft. If you wait until the centers are firm, they’ll be overbaked and not as chewy.

USE FRESH PEANUT BUTTER CUPS

For the best taste and texture, use fresh Reese’s peanut butter cup cookies. Older peanut butter cups may not melt as well and could affect the overall taste and texture of the cookies.

LET THE COOKIES COOL PROPERLY

Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet before transferring them to a wire rack. This helps them set and ensures they won’t break apart too easily. If you try to transfer them too early, they may crumble or lose their shape.

HOW TO STORE PEANUT BUTTER CUP COOKIES

Once your Reese’s peanut butter cup cookies are ready, you’ll want to store them properly so they stay fresh for as long as possible. Here are a few storage tips:

• Room Temperature: Keep your cookies in an airtight jar at room temperature. They’ll stay fresh for up to 5 days.

• Refrigeration: If you live in a warm climate or prefer your cookies to be firmer, you can store them in the refrigerator for up to a week.
• Freezing: To extend the shelf life, you can freeze your peanut butter cookies with peanut butter cups. Simply place them in a freezer-safe bag or container and store for up to three months. When you’re ready to enjoy them, let them thaw at room temperature or microwave for a few seconds.