These Chocolate Chip and Peanut Butter Explosion Cookies are filled with peanut butter cups and Reese’s Pieces to make for the perfect (but not overly peanut buttery) cookie. They’re soft, they’re moist, and you won’t be able to keep your hands off of them.
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Where are all my chocolate and peanut butter lovers at??
I’ve got something special for you guys today.
So, you usually don’t see a whole lot of chocolate + peanut butter desserts over here on this space. What is going on, you ask? Well, truth be told, Jay is out of his mind and doesn’t usually care for peanut butter in his desserts.
I know…I know.
And as much as I’ll always be a chocolate + caramel girl, there is still something to be said about the amazing combo that is chocolate and peanut butter. Wouldn’t you agree?
I got it in my head that I wanted to make a new cookie, and one that was filled with all sorts of peanut butter candies. But I thought that maybe…just maybe…I could bring Jay over from the dark side if I kept the cookie base non-peanut butter. So that’s what I did with these little pieces of heaven.
A soft, moist chocolate chip cookie base is paired with mini peanut butter cups, Reese’s pieces (you could also use peanut butter m&m’s, too!), and chocolate chips to make (what I believe to be) the most perfect chocolate and peanut butter filled cookie EVER.
And better yet? Jay actually ate them. You guys, he NEVER eats peanut butter in his desserts, so that’s telling you something!
Alex wanted in but, unfortunately, he’s still got a good ways to go before he can indulge.
And Lucas was also quite the fan, although he was more excited about the actual candies on the plate than he was the cookies.
Speaking of the candy, I’m excited to once again be teaming up with the National Confectioners Association for this post. NCA is committed to spreading the word on practicing moderation, especially now that Halloween season is upon us.
I’m sure that many of you will be participating in and/or celebrating Halloween in some form this year (here’s a fun infographic on how Americans will be celebrating!), and I have no doubt that you’ll have some peanut butter cups in your possession, too.
So go ahead and do yourself a favor by putting some of them to use and making these cookies.
And just in case you’re worried you won’t be able to control yourself around them, the good news is that the recipe only makes about 12-16 cookies, depending on how big you want them. So that’s basically built in portion control, right? ;)
Chocolate Chip & Peanut Butter Explosion Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 stick salted butter melted but not hot
- 1/2 cup white sugar
- 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla
- 1 egg
- 1-1/2 cups all purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- heaping 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup Reese’s Pieces or Peanut Butter m&m’s
- 1/4 cup mini peanut butter cups halved, or chopped peanut butter cups
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Using a stand mixer or electric beaters, beat butter with both sugars until creamy.
- Add vanilla and egg; beat on low speed until just incorporated - 10-15 seconds or so (if you beat the egg for too long, the cookies will get stiff).
- Add flour, baking soda, and salt. Use a spatula or your hands to press the dough together until it is just combined (it should form one large ball that is easy to handle).
- Add the chocolate chips and peanut butter candies and incorporate with your hands or a spatula.
- Roll the dough into 12-16 balls and place on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake for 9-11 minutes if making 12 (*if making 16, check around 7-8 minutes) until cookies look puffy and dry and just barely golden. **DO NOT OVERBAKE. Take them out even if they look like they're not done yet!
- Cool and enjoy!
I hope you guys enjoy these as much as we do!
Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by the National Confectioners Association. Thank you for your continued support of STSL! <3
Virjinia says
Oh my goodness! Definitely making these this weekend.they look so good!
Amanda M says
What sort of cookie sheet/silicone mat do you use?? Your cookies always look perfectly baked!! I use a silicone mat on top of my cookie sheet, but for some reason they always get too dark on the bottom. I am a fan of light-baked cookies. Thanks!
Courtney says
I’m pretty sure the cookie sheet is Wilton brand? I bought it at Walmart a while back – and I just use parchment paper! :)
Jennifer says
oh man. my guys are gonna go CRAZY over these!
Kelly says
Hey Courtney! I am a long time reader and think you have the sweetest little family. I was wondering where you got Lucas’ toy lawn mower? My best friends little boy is very similar always following Dad around doing chores. Also those cookies look too good lol
Courtney says
Hey Kelly, thank you! And sure thing, this is his lawn mower: http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=33023496&gclid=CPDDxunt-M8CFYpehgodE7gHTg&camp=PLAPPCG-_-PID18058174:TRUS&cagpspn=plat_18058174&eESource=CAPLA_DF:33023496:TRUS
Bethany @LuluRuns says
First of all, your pictures looks great! And second, these sound delicious, you can’t go wrong with chocolate and peanut butter, in my opinion ;)
Lindsay says
Jay is crazy. Alex is a DOLL and is looking like you! Lucas is precious as always. And you are EVIIIIIIIILLLL (in the best way possible). :)
Fiona @ Get Fit Fiona says
Haha I love the look on your son’s face in the photo of him eating the cookie. I’m pretty sure I would look exactly the same if I was eating one too.
Donna says
OMG everything you bake Courtney always looks AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You know how to bake you should have your own shop. I mean it!!!!!!!!!!!! Mouthwatering photos by the way. Also a long time reader and just love your blog and your sweet family. On feeling like you are FOMOing fall things. Just relish this wonderful and blessed time with your family this time of year and surrounding the holidays, get your bearings with you new family of four and try to not be so hard on yourself. you are wonderful!
Courtney says
Donna that is so sweet of you to say, THANK YOU so much!!
Jessica Locke says
Good Heavens – I cannot look at these cookies without salivating – seriously!!!
They look beyond delicious. As I might have mentioned before – my mom is a huge baker and I will definitely be sending this recipe on to her.
I wanted to pop in and let you know we mentioned YOU in a blog post this week. Here is the link if you want to check it out…http://kitlife.net/blog/
Hope all is well for you and the boys and that you get in some fun and relaxation on the weekend. And I don’t think there is anything at all wrong with staying around the house with your crew. I remember when my daughter Hannah was little we would make it our GOAL not to leave the house all day Sunday. We would stay in Pj’s, hang out, relax, watch NFL football and eat pizza. :-)