Gooey Reese’s Cheesecake Cookies: The Ultimate Peanut Butter Chocolate Treat
Indulge in the ultimate dessert mashup with these Gooey Reese’s Cheesecake Cookies that combine rich cream cheese, peanut butter, and melty chocolate into one irresistible treat. Perfect for peanut butter lovers, these cookies feature a soft, chewy center with pockets of melted Reese’s Pieces and a hint of tangy cream cheese that balances the sweetness. Whether you’re craving a decadent snack or need a crowd-pleasing dessert, these cookies deliver on both flavor and texture.
The magic of these cheesecake cookies lies in their perfect balance of sweet and salty, with a gooey center that stays soft for days. The cream cheese adds moisture and richness, while the peanut butter enhances the nutty depth. Each bite offers a surprise burst of chocolate from the Reese’s Pieces, making them impossible to resist. These cookies are ideal for bake sales, parties, or simply satisfying your sweet tooth with minimal effort.
Quick Recipe Highlights
- Flavor Profile: These cookies blend creamy peanut butter, rich chocolate, and tangy cream cheese for a perfectly balanced sweet-and-salty treat.
- Texture: Soft and chewy with a slightly crisp edge, these cookies have pockets of melted Reese’s Pieces that add a gooey surprise in every bite.
- Aroma: The warm, nutty scent of peanut butter and chocolate fills the kitchen as these cookies bake, making them irresistible fresh from the oven.
- Visual Appeal: Golden-brown edges with colorful Reese’s Pieces peeking through make these cookies as beautiful as they are delicious.
- Skill Level Needed: Beginner-friendly with simple mixing and shaping—no special techniques required.
- Special Equipment: Just a mixing bowl, hand mixer (or stand mixer), and baking sheet—no fancy tools needed!
Recipe Overview
- Difficulty Level: These cookies are incredibly easy to make, requiring only basic mixing skills and no complicated steps. Even novice bakers can achieve perfect results.
- Category: Dessert, Snack, Cookie
- Cuisine: American, with influences from classic peanut butter cups and cheesecake.
- Cost: Budget-friendly, using pantry staples like flour, sugar, and peanut butter, with Reese’s Pieces as the main splurge.
- Season: Perfect year-round, but especially comforting in fall and winter when warm, gooey treats are most satisfying.
- Occasion: Great for holidays, bake sales, potlucks, or a simple weeknight dessert.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Taste and Texture Appeal: These Gooey Reese’s Cheesecake Cookies offer the best of both worlds—creamy peanut butter and rich chocolate in a soft, chewy cookie with a slight tang from cream cheese. The Reese’s Pieces melt slightly, creating little pockets of chocolatey goodness that make every bite exciting.
Convenience and Preparation Benefits: With just 15 minutes of prep and 10 minutes of baking, these cookies come together quickly. The dough is easy to handle, and no chilling is required, making them perfect for last-minute cravings or unexpected guests.
Nutritional Advantages: While indulgent, these cookies provide protein from peanut butter and a small boost of calcium from cream cheese. Using natural peanut butter can reduce added sugars, and dark chocolate Reese’s Pieces can be used for a richer flavor.
Social and Entertaining Value: These cookies are always a hit at parties and gatherings. Their eye-catching appearance and familiar flavors make them universally appealing, and they pair perfectly with coffee, milk, or dessert wines.
Cost-Effectiveness and Accessibility: Most ingredients are pantry staples, and Reese’s Pieces are widely available. The recipe yields two dozen cookies, making it budget-friendly for large groups.
Ingredient Deep Dive
Cream Cheese: The secret ingredient that makes these cookies extra soft and slightly tangy. Use full-fat cream cheese for the best texture and flavor. It should be softened to room temperature for smooth mixing. Store unused cream cheese tightly wrapped in the fridge for up to two weeks.
Peanut Butter: Opt for creamy peanut butter (not natural or oily varieties) for the best consistency. If you prefer crunch, you can use chunky peanut butter for added texture. Peanut butter adds protein and healthy fats while enhancing the cookie’s chewiness.
Reese’s Pieces: These colorful candy-coated chocolates melt slightly during baking, creating gooey pockets. You can substitute with chocolate chips or chopped Reese’s peanut butter cups if needed. Store extras in a cool, dry place to prevent melting.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Overmixing the Dough: This can make cookies tough. Mix just until ingredients are combined to keep them tender.
- Using Cold Ingredients: Ensure cream cheese, butter, and eggs are at room temperature for smooth blending and even baking.
- Overbaking: Cookies will continue to set as they cool. Remove them when edges are just golden but centers still look slightly soft.
- Not Measuring Flour Correctly: Spoon flour into measuring cups and level off—packing it down leads to dense cookies.
Pro Tips for Perfect Gooey Reese’s Cheesecake Cookies
- For extra gooey centers, slightly underbake by 1 minute.
- Press a few extra Reese’s Pieces on top of cookies before baking for better presentation.
- Use a cookie scoop for evenly sized cookies that bake uniformly.
- Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring—they firm up as they cool.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use natural peanut butter? Yes, but the texture may differ. Natural peanut butter tends to be oilier, so the cookies might spread more.
How do I store these cookies? Keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days or freeze for longer storage.
Can I make these gluten-free? Yes! Substitute the flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend for similar results.
The Recipe
Gooey Reese’s Cheesecake Cookies
Serves: 24 cookies
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 10 mins
Total Time: 25 mins
Kitchen Equipment Needed
- Mixing bowls
- Hand mixer or stand mixer
- Baking sheets
- Parchment paper or silicone mats
- Cookie scoop (optional)
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 large egg
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 1/2 cups Reese’s Pieces
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, beat butter, cream cheese, and peanut butter until smooth.
- Add sugars and beat until fluffy. Mix in egg and vanilla.
- In another bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add to wet ingredients.
- Fold in Reese’s Pieces.
- Scoop dough into 1.5-inch balls and place 2 inches apart on baking sheets.
- Bake for 9-11 minutes until edges are golden. Centers will look soft.
- Cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to wire racks.
Recipe Notes
- For extra peanut flavor, add 1/2 cup chopped peanuts to the dough.
- Substitute Reese’s Pieces with chocolate chips if preferred.