Pro tips, variations, and serving ideas
Pro tips
- Use room-temperature butter and peanut butter for the smoothest creaming and best texture, just as many peanut butter cookie recipes recommend.
- Unwrap the mini Reese’s before the cookies come out of the oven so you can work quickly while the cookies are still soft.
- If your muffin pan is very nonstick, still lightly grease it or use a baking spray so the cookie bites release easily after cooling.
Variations
- Try crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy for added texture.
- Swap mini Reese’s for other miniature chocolate candies for different flavor combos.
- Drizzle cooled bites with melted chocolate or peanut butter for a decorated finish.
How to serve
- Serve at room temperature so the cookies are soft and the chocolate centers are slightly set but still fudgy.
- Add to cookie platters alongside bar cookies and traditional drop cookies for variety.
- Serve slightly warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a plated dessert feel.
Storage, freezing, and make-ahead
Peanut butter cookies and peanut butter cup cookie cups store and freeze very well when properly wrapped.
- Room temperature: Once completely cooled, store cookie bites in an airtight container at room temperature; peanut butter cookies typically stay fresh 3–4 days this way.
- Refrigerator: For slightly longer storage, you can refrigerate them in an airtight container for up to about a week; bring to room temp before serving for best texture.
- Freezing baked cookies: Place cooled cookie bites in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze, then transfer to an airtight container or freezer bag; peanut butter cookies with chocolate usually freeze well for up to about 2–3 months.
- Freezing dough: Roll dough into balls, freeze on a tray, then store in a freezer bag; bake from chilled or slightly thawed and press Reese’s in as directed.
Frequently asked questions
How do I keep them from sticking to the pan?
Grease the mini muffin pan well, and let the cookies cool in the pan before loosening them gently with a small offset spatula or knife, a method recommended for similar muffin-pan peanut butter cup cookies.
Can I make the dough ahead?
Yes. You can make the dough a day ahead and refrigerate it, then let it soften slightly before rolling into balls and baking. Chilled dough may spread a bit less, but still works well in mini muffin cups.
Can these be frozen with the Reese’s inside?
Yes, peanut butter cup cookies freeze well with the candy in them; several recipes note that they freeze great when stored airtight. Thaw at room temperature or in the fridge before serving.
Conclusion and call to action
Peanut Butter Cookie Bites turn a soft peanut butter cookie dough and a bag of mini Reese’s into adorable, bite-sized cookie cups that are perfect for parties, holidays, and everyday peanut butter cravings. Add this recipe to your cookie rotation, save or print it for your baking binder, and share it with other peanut-butter-and-chocolate lovers who need a reliable, crowd-pleasing treat.