If you adore the perfect blend of rich cheesecake and peanut butter chocolate goodness, then you are going to fall head over heels for this Gooey Reese’s Cheesecake Cookies Recipe. These cookies are an absolute dream, combining a soft, luscious cheesecake texture with the irresistible crunch and flavor of Reese’s peanut butter cups. Every bite melts in your mouth, leaving you with that warm, gooey feeling only a truly decadent cookie can deliver. Whether you’re baking for an indulgent treat or to wow your friends, this recipe is a keeper that I can’t wait to share with you.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Gooey Reese’s Cheesecake Cookies Recipe uses simple, everyday ingredients that come together to create an extraordinary flavor and texture balance. Each ingredient plays a special role, from the creamy butter and sugar that make these cookies delightfully soft, to the cream cheese that adds that signature gooey richness and the Reese’s that provide those bursts of peanut butter and chocolate heaven.
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened: Provides a rich base and tender crumb to the cookies.
- 1 cup granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and helps control the cookie’s texture.
- 1 cup light brown sugar, packed: Gives a subtle caramel flavor and moisture for softness.
- 2 large eggs: Bind the ingredients and give structure to the dough.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Enhances all the other flavors with a warm, aromatic note.
- 3 cups all-purpose flour: The foundation that keeps the cookies chewy yet firm enough to hold.
- 1 teaspoon baking soda: Helps the cookies rise and adds a slight chewiness.
- ½ teaspoon salt: Balances sweetness and intensifies the overall flavor.
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened: The secret ingredient that lends that incredibly soft and gooey cheesecake texture.
- 1 cup mini chocolate chips: Sprinkles of chocolate magic throughout every cookie.
- 1½ cups chopped Reese’s peanut butter cups: The star ingredient, giving that signature peanut butter-chocolate punch with every bite.
- Extra Reese’s pieces for topping: Adds a pretty finish and bursts of flavor on top of each cookie.
How to Make Gooey Reese’s Cheesecake Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
Start by heating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper. This step ensures your cookies bake evenly and don’t stick, setting you up for cookie success from the get-go.
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars
Use a large bowl to cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This aeration is key to achieving that perfectly tender texture in your cookies.
Step 3: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Beat in the eggs one at a time, allowing them to fully incorporate before adding the next, then mix in the vanilla extract. This adds moisture and depth to your cookie dough’s flavor.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Mixing these dry ingredients separately helps distribute everything evenly, which makes your cookies bake uniformly.
Step 5: Incorporate Dry Ingredients into Wet
Gradually add the dry mixture to your wet ingredients, stirring just until combined. Avoid overmixing here, as too much gluten development can make your cookies tough rather than soft and gooey.
Step 6: Blend in Cream Cheese
In another bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth and fold it gently into the cookie dough. This step brings that dream-worthy gooey, cheesecake quality that elevates these cookies beyond ordinary.
Step 7: Add Chocolate Chips and Reese’s
Gently mix in the mini chocolate chips and chopped Reese’s peanut butter cups, ensuring each cookie will be packed with yummy pockets of chocolate and peanut butter.
Step 8: Scoop and Top
Use a cookie scoop to portion out your dough onto the prepared baking sheet. Press a few extra Reese’s pieces on top of each cookie. This not only looks fantastic but gives an extra hit of peanut butter goodness right on the surface.
Step 9: Bake to Perfection
Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until the edges turn lightly golden and the centers remain slightly underbaked. This careful timing ensures the cookies stay soft and gooey in the middle — the hallmark of this Gooey Reese’s Cheesecake Cookies Recipe.
Step 10: Cool Before Enjoying
Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to finish cooling. This resting time helps the gooey centers set just enough without losing that melt-in-your-mouth texture.
How to Serve Gooey Reese’s Cheesecake Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
Want to elevate your cookies even further? Consider sprinkling a pinch of flaky sea salt on top of each cookie once they come out of the oven. The salt cuts through the sweetness beautifully. You could also dust them lightly with powdered sugar for a delicate, festive look.
Side Dishes
These cookies are a fabulous treat on their own but pair wonderfully with a tall glass of cold milk or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a dreamy dessert duo. Bright berries on the side can also complement the richness with a fresh pop of color and flavor.
Creative Ways to Present
For a party, arrange these Gooey Reese’s Cheesecake Cookies Recipe delights on a wooden platter interspersed with whole Reese’s cups and mini chocolate chips for an inviting and thematic display. Wrapping them individually in wax paper tied with twine makes for cute, giftable treats that friends and family will adore.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any cookies left (though that’s a rare occurrence!), store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. This keeps them soft and maintains that signature gooey texture without drying out.
Freezing
You can freeze the cookie dough balls before baking. Simply place them on a tray, freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to 3 months. When ready, bake straight from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the cook time. This is perfect for spontaneous cravings.
Reheating
To enjoy your leftover cookies warm and gooey, simply microwave them for 10 to 15 seconds or place them in a preheated 300°F oven for about 5 minutes. This refreshes their soft texture and intensifies the flavors beautifully.
FAQs
Can I substitute regular peanut butter cups for Reese’s?
Yes, you can use any peanut butter cups you love, but Reese’s have a perfect balance of peanut butter and chocolate that makes this recipe shine. Different brands might alter the sweetness or texture slightly.
Why is cream cheese added to the cookie dough?
The cream cheese adds moisture and richness that creates the gooey, tender texture characteristic of these cheesecake cookies. It also adds a subtle tang that balances the sweetness wonderfully.
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
You can try substituting the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend designed for baking. Just be sure it contains xanthan gum or another binder to keep the texture right, but results might vary slightly.
Is it necessary to chill the dough?
Chilling the dough is optional but recommended if you want thicker, chewier cookies. It allows the fats to solidify, which helps the cookies spread less during baking.
Can I use refrigerated cream cheese or does it need to be room temperature?
For best results, use cream cheese that’s softened to room temperature. This allows it to blend smoothly into the dough, preventing lumps and ensuring an even texture throughout.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly magical about the Gooey Reese’s Cheesecake Cookies Recipe that makes it a standout treat in any baker’s repertoire. The chewy, creamy texture combined with those bursts of peanut butter and chocolate is nothing short of addictive. These cookies are pure joy, perfect for sharing or indulging all by yourself. So, grab your mixing bowl and treat yourself to this delightful bake — I promise it will become a new favorite in no time!
Print
Gooey Reese’s Cheesecake Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 32 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in these Gooey Reese’s Cheesecake Cookies that perfectly blend creamy cheesecake with rich peanut butter cups and chocolate chips. These soft, gooey cookies feature chunks of Reese’s for a delightful contrast, making them an irresistible dessert for peanut butter and chocolate lovers.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
Mix-ins and Toppings
- 1 cup mini chocolate chips
- 1½ cups chopped Reese’s peanut butter cups, plus extra for topping
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, use a mixer to cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, which takes about 2-3 minutes.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Stir in the vanilla extract for flavor.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening agent and salt.
- Mix Dry into Wet: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing gently until just combined to avoid overworking the dough, which can toughen the cookies.
- Incorporate Cream Cheese: Beat the cream cheese in another bowl until smooth. Fold the smooth cream cheese gently into the cookie dough to create a creamy, tangy texture throughout the cookies.
- Add Chocolate Chips and Reese’s: Gently mix in the mini chocolate chips and chopped Reese’s peanut butter cups, ensuring even distribution without breaking the chunks too much.
- Portion Dough: Use a cookie scoop to portion the dough evenly and place on the prepared baking sheet, leaving enough space between each cookie for spreading.
- Top with Reese’s Pieces: Press a few additional Reese’s peanut butter cup pieces on top of each cookie to add extra gooeyness and visual appeal.
- Bake Cookies: Bake for 10–12 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden and the centers appear slightly underbaked for that gooey texture.
- Cool Cookies: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely, which helps them set and prevents breakage.
Notes
- Chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking for thicker, less spread cookies.
- Mini Reese’s can be used instead of chopped pieces for extra bursts of peanut butter flavor throughout.
- Do not overbake; slightly underbaked centers ensure a gooey texture.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.
