Description
Indulgent Reese’s Pieces Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars bring sweet nostalgia to classic dessert lovers. Packed with peanut butter candies and rich chocolate chips, these bars deliver a perfect balance of crunch and chewy comfort that will delight you from first bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ¼ cups Reeses Pieces, plus extra for topping
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Binding/Wet Ingredients:
- 2 large eggs
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¾ cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Seasoning/Leavening Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Prepare the baking vessel by lining a 9×13-inch pan with parchment paper and lightly coating with nonstick spray.
- Cream the softened butter with both sugar varieties until the mixture becomes pale and airy, approximately 2-3 minutes of vigorous mixing.
- Incorporate eggs individually, ensuring thorough blending after each addition, then introduce vanilla extract for enhanced flavor complexity.
- Sift together flour, baking soda, and salt in a separate container to eliminate potential lumps and ensure even distribution.
- Gently fold dry ingredients into the butter mixture, stirring until just combined to maintain a tender texture.
- Carefully integrate chocolate chips and most of the Reeses Pieces throughout the dough, reserving a small portion for decorative topping.
- Transfer the cookie dough into the prepared pan, spreading evenly with a spatula to create a uniform layer.
- Artfully scatter remaining Reeses Pieces across the surface for visual appeal and additional flavor bursts.
- Position the pan in a preheated 350F (175C) oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, watching for golden edges and a slightly firm center.
- Remove from oven and allow complete cooling within the pan to help the bars set properly.
- Utilize parchment paper handles to lift the entire batch from the pan, then slice into equal-sized squares for serving.
Notes
- Experiment with butter temperature to achieve the perfect texture, ensuring it’s softened but not melted for optimal cookie bar consistency.
- Toast Reese’s Pieces briefly in a dry skillet to enhance their nutty flavor and create a more complex taste profile.
- Consider using a mix of milk and dark chocolate chips to add depth and balance to the sweetness of the Reese’s Pieces.
- Adjust baking time by 2-3 minutes for chewier or crispier edges, depending on personal preference and oven variations.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 22 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg