Reeces Pieces Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe

The Ultimate Reeces Pieces Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe

Chocolate chip cookies reach new heights with reeces pieces adding unexpected bursts of peanut butter flavor.

Sweet meets salty in this delightful twist on a classic treat.

Soft, chewy textures mingle with crunchy candy pieces that pop in every bite.

Baking becomes an adventure when you blend traditional cookie goodness with playful candy surprises.

No ordinary dessert could match the excitement of these decadent bars.

Creamy peanut butter undertones dance alongside rich chocolate chips, creating a symphony of indulgence.

You’ll want to slice these bars and savor every single crumbly, delicious moment.

  • Conquer Chocolate Cravings: Indulge in a decadent dessert that perfectly balances rich chocolate and peanut butter, satisfying your sweet tooth with every delightful bite.
  • Quick Crowd-Pleaser: Ideal for potlucks, family gatherings, and casual get-togethers, these bars require minimal preparation and deliver maximum flavor that everyone will love.
  • Beginner-Friendly Baking: Designed for home bakers of all skill levels, this recipe offers simple steps and foolproof techniques that guarantee delicious results without complex baking expertise.
  • Customizable Treat: Easily adapt the recipe by adjusting chocolate chip quantities or experimenting with different candy mix-ins to create your perfect personalized dessert bars.
For the Base:
  • Butter: A creamy ingredient that provides rich flavor and helps create a tender texture.
  • Brown Sugar: Adds moisture and deep caramel-like sweetness to the cookie bars.
  • Granulated Sugar: Provides additional sweetness and helps with the cookie bars' structure.
  • Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and contribute to the bars' soft, chewy consistency.
  • Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor with its warm, aromatic profile.
For the Dry Ingredients:
  • All-Purpose Flour: The primary structure-building ingredient for the cookie bars.
  • Salt: Balances the sweetness and amplifies the overall flavor.
  • Baking Soda: Helps the bars rise and creates a soft, tender texture.
For the Mix-Ins and Toppings:
  • Chocolate Chips, Reese's Pieces: Add delightful bursts of chocolate and peanut butter flavor throughout the bars.
  • Melted Chocolate: Provides a decorative and delicious drizzle on top of the finished bars.

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Crank the oven to 350°F and line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, letting it hang slightly over the edges for easy bar removal.

Step 2: Whip Up the Base

Blend together softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until the mixture becomes light, airy, and super smooth.

Step 3: Add Moisture and Flavor

Drop in eggs one by one, mixing thoroughly after each addition. Splash in vanilla extract to boost the delicious flavor.

Step 4: Mix Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, combine:
  • All-purpose flour
  • Salt
  • Baking soda

Whisk until everything is perfectly blended with no lumps.

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures

Carefully fold the dry ingredients into the butter mixture. Stir gently until just combined to keep the texture tender and soft.

Step 6: Sprinkle in the Goodies

Gently mix in:
  • Chocolate chips
  • Reese's Pieces

Distribute evenly so every bite is packed with deliciousness.

Step 7: Spread the Dough

Transfer the dough to the prepared pan. Smooth it out evenly, pressing gently to create a perfectly flat surface.

Step 8: Add Extra Crunch

Scatter additional Reese’s Pieces across the top of the dough for extra texture and visual appeal.

Step 9: Bake to Perfection

Slide the pan into the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes. Look for golden brown edges and a toothpick that comes out with just a few moist crumbs.

Step 10: Cool Down

Remove from the oven and let the bars cool completely in the pan for about an hour.

Step 11: Drizzle Chocolate Finale

Create a zigzag pattern of melted chocolate across the cooled bars for a professional-looking finish.

Step 12: Serve and Enjoy

Lift the bars out using the parchment paper, slice into squares, and get ready to wow everyone with your delicious creation.

  • Prep Pan Perfectly: Line the baking pan with parchment paper, creating slight overhangs for effortless bar removal and clean cutting.
  • Mix Methodically: Cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy, incorporating eggs one at a time to ensure smooth, consistent dough texture.
  • Fold Gently: Combine dry ingredients carefully, stirring just until mixed to maintain tender, soft cookie bar consistency without overmixing.
  • Distribute Evenly: Scatter chocolate chips and Reese's Pieces throughout the dough, ensuring every bite delivers a delightful burst of chocolate and peanut butter flavor.
  • Bake with Precision: Watch for golden brown edges and moist crumbs when testing doneness, allowing bars to cool completely for perfect slicing and serving.
  • Gluten-Free Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars: Replace wheat flour with almond or oat flour, ensuring a celiac-friendly version while maintaining the rich, indulgent taste.
  • Vegan Chocolate Chip Bars: Swap butter with coconut oil, use flax eggs instead of regular eggs, and select dairy-free chocolate chips for a plant-based alternative.
  • Low-Sugar Chocolate Bars: Substitute granulated and brown sugar with monk fruit sweetener or stevia, reducing overall sugar content without compromising flavor complexity.
  • Nutty Chocolate Bar Variation: Add chopped almonds or pecans to the dough for extra crunch and depth, creating a more textured and interesting dessert experience.
  • Pair with Cold Milk: Creamy, classic milk perfectly complements the rich chocolate and peanut butter flavors, cutting through the sweetness and providing a refreshing contrast.
  • Serve with Vanilla Ice Cream: Smooth, cold vanilla ice cream creates a decadent dessert experience, enhancing the warm, gooey cookie bar texture with its cool creaminess.
  • Match with Caramel Latte: Warm, robust coffee with caramel notes adds depth to the chocolate and peanut butter, creating a sophisticated flavor harmony that elevates the dessert.
  • Enjoy with Salted Caramel Mocha: Bold coffee and sweet caramel provide a complex backdrop that intensifies the cookie bars' rich, indulgent taste profile.
  • Store bars in an airtight container for up to 5 days, placing parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking.
  • Wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap, then place in freezer-safe bag. Freeze for maximum 3 months, maintaining quality and taste.
  • Keep bars at room temperature in sealed container for 2-3 days, ensuring they remain soft and delicious.
  • Warm bars briefly in microwave for 10-15 seconds or place in preheated 300°F oven for 5 minutes to restore fresh-baked texture and revive chocolate's gooey consistency.
  • How do I ensure my bars have the perfect texture?

Mix the dry ingredients thoroughly but avoid overmixing the dough. Stir just until combined to keep the bars tender and soft, preventing a tough or dense result.

  • Can I swap out some ingredients?

Yes, you can substitute Reese’s Pieces with other candies like M&Ms or chopped peanut butter cups. Adjust chocolate chip types based on your preference, keeping proportions similar.

  • What's the best way to cut these bars neatly?

Use a sharp knife and wipe it clean between cuts. For precise squares, let the bars cool completely and use a ruler to mark even sections before slicing.

Print
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Reeces Pieces Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe

Reeces Pieces Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe


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4.9 from 20 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
  • Yield: 12 1x

Description

Reese’s pieces chocolate chip cookie bars offer a delightful fusion of classic comfort and playful indulgence. Sweet chocolate chips and peanut butter candies create a nostalgic treat that will delight dessert enthusiasts with their irresistible crunch and creamy texture.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup unsalted butter
  • 3/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup chocolate chips
  • 1 cup Reese’s Pieces candy

Binding and Flavor Enhancers:

  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp baking soda

Garnish and Optional Add-ins:

  • 1/4 cup additional Reese’s Pieces (for topping)
  • 2 tbsp melted chocolate (for drizzling)

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, ensuring slight overhang for easy removal.
  2. Cream together softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, creating a smooth, homogeneous mixture.
  3. Incorporate eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition, then blend in vanilla extract to enhance the overall flavor profile.
  4. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, salt, and baking soda, creating a dry ingredient blend with uniform consistency.
  5. Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the butter mixture, stirring until just combined to prevent overmixing and maintain a tender texture.
  6. Gently fold in chocolate chips and Reese’s Pieces, distributing them evenly throughout the cookie dough for balanced flavor in every bite.
  7. Transfer the dough to the prepared baking pan, spreading it out in an even layer and pressing gently to create a smooth surface.
  8. Sprinkle additional Reese’s Pieces across the top of the dough, creating a decorative and crunchy layer.
  9. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the edges turn golden brown and a toothpick inserted near the center comes out with a few moist crumbs.
  10. Remove from the oven and let cool completely in the pan for about 1 hour.
  11. Drizzle melted chocolate across the cooled bars in a zigzag pattern for an elegant finishing touch.
  12. Lift the bars out using the parchment paper overhang, slice into squares, and serve.

Notes

  • Chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking to prevent excessive spreading and create thicker, chewier bars.
  • For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend, maintaining the same measurements.
  • Swap half the chocolate chips with peanut butter chips to intensify the Reese’s flavor profile and add extra richness.
  • Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 12
  • Calories: 320
  • Sugar: 22 g
  • Sodium: 180 mg
  • Fat: 18 g
  • Saturated Fat: 10 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 38 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 3 g
  • Cholesterol: 40 mg
Truc Tran (Kris)

Truc Tran (Kris)

Senior Food Editor

Expertise

Home Cooking, Meal Planning, Recipe Development, Baking and Pastry, Food Editor, Cooking-video Maker, Vietnamese Food Evaluation Expert

Education

  • Hospitality (Commercial Cookery) at TasTAFE
  • Culinary Arts at Kendall College (Australia Branch in Sydney)
  • Vietnamese Cuisine Head Chef at HNAAu School (Vietnam, International Joint Training Program)

Truc Tran (Kris), an experienced food writer and editor, is great at exploring and describing global cuisines, from simple street food to fancy dining. In her writing, she skillfully mixes different flavors, cooking methods, and culinary traditions, showing the unique character of various cultures through their food and drinks. On azcuisines.com, Kris highlights her knowledge, especially in Asian cuisine and worldwide traditional dishes.

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