Reeces Pieces Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe

Irresistible Reeces Pieces Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Recipe

Whipping up reeces pieces chocolate chip cookie bars brings pure dessert magic to your kitchen.

Sweet chunks of peanut butter candy nestled between soft, chewy cookie layers create an irresistible treat.

Chocolate chips mingle with those iconic orange-packaged candies, promising decadent bites of pure bliss.

Crispy edges give way to a gooey center that melts in your mouth.

Each square delivers a nostalgic punch of childhood memories and indulgent comfort.

Baking these bars becomes an adventure in deliciousness that connects you with simple joy.

Prepare to be transported by a dessert that’s equal parts classic and unexpected.

  • Can I use different types of chocolate or candy in this recipe?

Yes, you can substitute chocolate chips with milk, dark, or white chocolate chips. Feel free to replace Reese’s Pieces with other candies like M&M’s or chopped peanut butter cups.

  • Why is it important not to overmix the dough?

Overmixing can develop gluten in the flour, resulting in tough and dense cookie bars instead of soft and chewy ones. Mix until ingredients are just combined for the best texture.

  • How do I know when the cookie bars are perfectly baked?

Look for golden brown edges and a center that still has a few moist crumbs when tested with a toothpick. This ensures a soft, gooey center while preventing overbaking.

  • Customize with Ease: Personalize these cookie bars by swapping out Reese's Pieces for your favorite candies or nuts, making them adaptable to any taste preference.
  • Crowd-Pleasing Dessert: Perfect for potlucks, bake sales, or family gatherings, these bars guarantee smiles and empty plates with their irresistible chocolate and peanut butter combination.
  • Stress-Free Baking: No complicated techniques required – mix, spread, and bake for a foolproof dessert that looks and tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen.
  • Kid-Friendly Treat: Engage children in the mixing and topping process, creating a fun baking activity that results in a delicious reward everyone will love.
For the Base:
  • Butter: Provides rich, creamy flavor and helps create a tender texture.
  • Brown Sugar: Adds moisture and deep caramel-like sweetness to the cookie bars.
  • Granulated Sugar: Contributes to the overall sweetness and helps with browning.
  • Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and add structure to the cookie bars.
  • Vanilla Extract: Enhances the depth of flavor with its warm, aromatic profile.
For the Dry Ingredients:
  • All-Purpose Flour: Forms the primary structure of the cookie bars.
  • Baking Soda: Helps the bars rise and creates a soft, tender texture.
  • Salt: Balances the sweetness and brings out the other flavors.
For the Mix-Ins and Toppings:
  • Chocolate Chips, Reese's Pieces: Add bursts of chocolate and peanut butter flavor, creating a delightful texture and taste contrast.

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Set your oven to a cozy 350°F and line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, letting the edges hang over for super easy removal later.

Step 2: Create a Creamy Base

In a large mixing bowl, blend softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until the mixture looks light and fluffy like a cloud.

Step 3: Add Liquid Goodness

Crack eggs into the mixture one by one, stirring thoroughly after each addition. Pour in vanilla extract to give your bars an extra flavor boost.

Step 4: Mix Dry Ingredients

Grab another bowl and whisk together:
  • Flour
  • Baking soda
  • Salt

Make sure everything is combined perfectly.

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry

Slowly fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined. Don’t overmix or your bars will turn tough.

Step 6: Chocolate Explosion

Fold in your delicious mix-ins:
  • Chocolate chips
  • Reese's Pieces

Distribute them evenly so every bite is packed with flavor.

Step 7: Prepare for Baking

Transfer the dough to your prepared pan, spreading it out smoothly with a spatula. Make sure it’s even across the surface.

Step 8: Add Extra Topping

Sprinkle some extra Reese’s Pieces and chocolate chips on top for a gorgeous, tempting look.

Step 9: Bake to Perfection

Pop the pan in the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when the edges turn golden brown and a toothpick comes out with just a few moist crumbs.

Step 10: Cool Down

Take the pan out and let it cool completely in the pan for about an hour. This helps the bars set and makes cutting easier.

Step 11: Serve and Enjoy

Lift the bars out using the parchment paper, slice into squares, and serve at room temperature. Get ready for a flavor explosion!

  • Prevent Overmixing: Stir the dry and wet ingredients until just combined to keep the cookie bars tender and soft, avoiding a tough or dense texture.
  • Chocolate Distribution Trick: Fold chocolate chips and Reese's Pieces gently to ensure even spread, guaranteeing a delightful bite every time.
  • Room Temperature Ingredients: Let butter, eggs, and other cold ingredients sit out for 30 minutes before mixing to create a smoother, more uniform dough.
  • Baking Pan Preparation: Line the pan with parchment paper, allowing overhang for easy removal and clean, precise cutting of cookie bars.
  • Cooling Technique: Allow bars to cool completely in the pan for about an hour, which helps them set and makes slicing cleaner and more precise.
  • Vegan Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars: Replace butter with coconut oil, eggs with flax eggs, and use dairy-free chocolate chips and vegan Reese's Pieces alternative.
  • Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Bars: Substitute all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour blend, ensuring the same soft texture and rich flavor profile.
  • Nutty Chocolate Sensation: Add chopped almonds or pecans to the dough, providing extra crunch and depth to the classic chocolate chip bar experience.
  • Low-Sugar Chocolate Bars: Use monk fruit sweetener or stevia instead of brown and granulated sugars, reducing overall sugar content while maintaining sweetness.
  • Milk Match: Serve cold, creamy whole milk to balance the rich, sweet chocolate and peanut butter flavors, creating a classic dessert combo that kids and adults will love.
  • Coffee Companion: Brew a medium-roast dark coffee or espresso to cut through the sweetness, providing a robust contrast that highlights the cookie bars' intense chocolate notes.
  • Dessert Wine Delight: Select a sweet port or moscato wine, whose fruity undertones will enhance the chocolate and peanut butter complexity, offering an elegant adult twist to this indulgent treat.
  • Vanilla Ice Cream Partner: Top warm cookie bars with a scoop of premium vanilla bean ice cream, letting the cold, smooth texture melt into the warm, gooey dessert for an irresistible sensory experience.
  • Store cooled cookie bars in an airtight container with parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking. Keep refrigerated for up to 5 days, maintaining freshness and preventing moisture loss.
  • Wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container or ziplock bag. Freeze for up to 3 months, preserving texture and taste for future enjoyment.
  • Keep bars in a sealed container at room temperature for 2-3 days, away from direct sunlight and heat sources. Place a piece of bread in the container to help maintain moisture.
  • Warm refrigerated or thawed bars in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or in a preheated 300°F oven for 3-5 minutes.
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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 33 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
  • Yield: 12 1x

Description

Reese’s pieces chocolate chip cookie bars blend irresistible peanut butter sweetness with classic chocolate chip comfort. Gooey chocolate and crunchy candy pieces create a nostalgic dessert that sparks childhood memories while satisfying current cravings.


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

Binding and Flavor Enhancers:

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

Topping/Garnish:

  • 1/2 cup additional reese’s pieces (for topping)
  • 1/4 cup additional chocolate chips (for topping)

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, ensuring overhang for easy removal.
  2. Cream together softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar in a large mixing bowl until light and fluffy, creating a smooth base for the cookie bars.
  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, baking soda, and salt, creating a uniform dry ingredient mixture.
  5. Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet 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 dough for consistent flavor in every bite.
  7. Transfer the dough to the prepared baking pan, spreading it evenly and smoothing the top with a spatula.
  8. Sprinkle additional Reese’s Pieces and chocolate chips across the surface, creating an enticing and decorative topping.
  9. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the edges turn golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs.
  10. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely in the pan for approximately 1 hour, enabling the bars to set and become easier to cut.
  11. Lift the bars out using the parchment paper overhang, slice into squares, and serve at room temperature for optimal texture and flavor.

Notes

  • Prevent overmixing by stopping stirring as soon as dry ingredients blend with wet ingredients to maintain a soft, tender cookie bar texture.
  • Ensure even baking by spreading dough uniformly and using a spatula to create a smooth, level surface in the baking pan.
  • Customize flavor by experimenting with different chocolate chip and candy combinations, like swapping Reese’s Pieces with peanut butter chips or M&Ms.
  • Store cooled bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 12
  • Calories: 340
  • Sugar: 24 g
  • Sodium: 150 mg
  • Fat: 18 g
  • Saturated Fat: 11 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 40 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 3 g
  • Cholesterol: 40 mg
Olivia Brooks

Olivia Brooks

Contributing Writer

Expertise

  • Healthy recipe development
  • Plant-based cooking
  • Nutritional analysis
  • Food writing and content creation

Education

Culinary Institute of America
Accelerated Culinary Arts Certificate Program
Focus: Culinary fundamentals, nutrition, and healthy cooking technique


Olivia believes good food should feed both the body and the soul. She earned her Accelerated Culinary Arts Certificate from the Culinary Institute of America, where she focused on nutrition and practical cooking techniques that make healthy eating easy.
At 10 Below Ice Cream, Olivia shares single-serving recipes that are fresh, plant-forward, and full of heart. She loves helping people eat better, without stress, strict rules, or sacrificing flavor.
Beyond the kitchen, Olivia spends her time tending her backyard garden, practicing yoga, and discovering hidden gems in Portland’s food scene.

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