If you’re a fan of the classic combination of chocolate and peanut butter, these Reese’s Pieces Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars are a dream come true! Imagine a soft, chewy cookie bar studded with chocolate chips and crunchy Reese’s Pieces, all in one bite. These bars are perfect for dessert, a potluck, or even as an afternoon snack. They’re easy to make, customizable, and absolutely delicious!
Preparation Time
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup chocolate chips (semi-sweet or milk chocolate)
- 1 cup Reese’s Pieces (plus extra for topping)
Instructions
1. Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang on the sides to easily lift the bars out once baked.
2. Cream the Butter and Sugars
In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together using an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
3. Add Eggs and Vanilla
Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in the vanilla extract.
4. Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the bars soft and tender.
5. Fold in Chocolate Chips and Reese’s Pieces
Gently fold in the chocolate chips and 1 cup of Reese’s Pieces until evenly distributed throughout the dough.
6. Spread the Dough in the Pan
Spread the cookie dough evenly into the prepared 9×13-inch pan. Use a spatula to smooth the top. For extra color and crunch, press a few more Reese’s Pieces and chocolate chips into the top of the dough.
7. Bake
Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the edges are golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out mostly clean with just a few crumbs. Be careful not to overbake; the bars will continue to set as they cool.
8. Cool and Cut
Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Once cooled, use the parchment paper overhang to lift the bars out of the pan. Cut into squares and serve!
Tips for the Best Reese’s Pieces Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure the butter and eggs are at room temperature to ensure a smooth, even batter.
Customize the Add-Ins: Feel free to add other mix-ins like white chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or mini marshmallows for a unique twist.
Avoid Overmixing: Overmixing the dough can make the bars dense. Mix just until the ingredients are combined.
Underbake Slightly: For a gooey center, remove the bars from the oven when a few moist crumbs stick to the toothpick. They will set as they cool.
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Variations
Peanut Butter Lovers’ Bars: Add ½ cup creamy peanut butter to the dough for an extra dose of peanut flavor.
Double Chocolate Reese’s Bars: Replace ¼ cup of the flour with cocoa powder for a chocolate base.
Gluten-Free Option: Use a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour instead of all-purpose flour.
Serving Suggestions
These bars are delicious on their own, but you can also:
Serve Warm with Ice Cream: Top a warm bar with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a delightful treat.
Drizzle with Chocolate: Melt some extra chocolate chips and drizzle on top for a rich finish.
Dust with Powdered Sugar: For a festive touch, dust the cooled bars with a little powdered sugar.
Nutritional Information (Per Bar)
Note: This is an estimate based on 24 servings.
- Calories: ~200
- Carbohydrates: 27g
- Protein: 2g
- Fat: 10g
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 120mg