Name: Reese’s Crinkle Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 55 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled; ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder (Hershey’s recommended); 1 teaspoon baking soda; ¼ teaspoon table salt; ½ cup creamy peanut butter (Reese’s creamy peanut butter preferred); ½ cup salted butter, softened to room temperature; ¾ cup dark brown sugar, packed; 1 large egg, room temperature; 1½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract; 15 halved miniature peanut butter cups (Reese’s miniature peanut butter cups); ¼ cup granulated sugar; ¾ cup powdered sugar, sifted

Jump to Recipe· 3.9 from 63 reviews

Get ready to fall in love with a cookie that perfectly blends rich chocolate, creamy peanut butter, and a delightful gooey center—yes, I’m talking about the irresistible Reese’s Crinkle Cookies Recipe! These cookies are a warm hug on a plate, packed with the perfect balance of sweet and salty, soft and chewy, and that iconic Reese’s peanut butter cup surprise in every bite. You’ll love how the crackled powdered sugar coating gives them a charming homemade look while hiding the treasure inside. Whether you’re baking for a crowd or craving a treat that feels like a celebration, this cookie recipe is a guaranteed winner that will become your new favorite.

Ingredients You’ll Need

A top view of several baking ingredients arranged on a white marbled surface. On the left side, a large white bowl with a dark rim is filled with 1 cup of flour and has a small wooden scoop inside. Below that is a small black bowl filled with 1/4 cup sugar, next to a single white egg. In the middle, a small metal cup contains 1/2 cup cocoa powder. To the right of it, there are 15 Reese's Cups scattered with some showing their gold wrappers and others unwrapped. Above them is a clear glass bowl with 3/4 cup powdered sugar in a hand sieve resting on top. Next to it, there is a half-stick of butter, still wrapped in paper. Toward the bottom left, a white bowl holds 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter. To the right of that are small wooden spoons labeled with 1 teaspoon baking soda and 1/4 teaspoon salt. On the far right, a small white cup has 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla inside. Near the center-right is a white bowl with 3/4 cup brown sugar. All items are labeled with black text in a handwritten style. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Every ingredient in this recipe plays a crucial role in building the flavor, texture, and that signature Reese’s magic. From the creamy peanut butter to the cocoa powder and the tiny peanut butter cup centers, these simple staples combine for an unforgettable cookie experience.

1 cup all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled: Essential for structure, giving the cookies that perfect balance of soft and chewy.

½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder: Adds a rich chocolate depth; I love using Hershey’s for that classic flavor.
1 teaspoon baking soda: Helps the cookies rise beautifully without spreading too much.
¼ teaspoon table salt: Balances sweetness and enhances all the flavors.

½ cup creamy peanut butter: Using Reese’s creamy peanut butter really makes these cookies sing with authentic peanut butter taste.
½ cup salted butter, softened: Provides richness and moisture that makes each bite melt in your mouth.
¾ cup dark brown sugar, packed: Gives a deep caramel note and keeps the cookies wonderfully moist.

1 large egg, room temperature: Binds everything together while adding tenderness.
1½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract: Adds a subtle sweetness and complexity to the flavor.
15 halved miniature peanut butter cups: The best surprise inside each cookie—Reese’s miniature peanut butter cups are perfect for this!

¼ cup granulated sugar: For the initial coating that adds a slight crunch.
¾ cup powdered sugar, sifted: Creates that classic crinkle cookie look and adds a delicate sweetness.

How to Make Reese’s Crinkle Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Combine Dry Ingredients

Start by sifting together the all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt into a medium-sized bowl. This step is essential because it ensures there are no lumps and that everything is evenly distributed, setting the foundation for cookies with the perfect texture and even flavor throughout.

Step 2: Cream the Peanut Butter and Butter

Next, use a stand mixer or handheld mixer to beat together the creamy peanut butter and softened salted butter at medium-high speed for about 1 to 1½ minutes. This creates a smooth, rich base that will make your cookies incredibly moist and flavorful.

Step 3: Add Brown Sugar

Mix in the dark brown sugar with the peanut butter and butter mixture and beat for an additional 1 to 1½ minutes. The brown sugar’s molasses content not only sweetens but also adds a subtle chewiness and depth to your cookie dough.

Step 4: Incorporate Egg and Vanilla

Lower your mixer speed to medium-low and add the large egg. Beat just until no more yellow streaks remain, then pour in the vanilla extract, mixing just until the color is uniform. This gentle mixing keeps the dough tender and helps intensify the overall flavor.

Step 5: Combine Flour Mixture

Still at medium-low speed, gradually add the sifted flour mixture one cup at a time, mixing just until everything is incorporated. It’s critical to avoid overmixing here to keep the cookies from turning out tough. Once mixed, cover the dough and chill it in the refrigerator for 30 minutes; chilling firms the dough and makes it easier to handle.

Step 6: Prepare for Baking

While the dough chills, preheat your oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or heavy-duty aluminum foil lightly sprayed with nonstick cooking spray. Set up two small bowls—one with granulated sugar and one with sifted powdered sugar—for rolling the dough later.

Step 7: Shape Cookies with Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Center

Using a 1-tablespoon cookie scoop, portion out the dough and roll it into balls. Press each slightly flat, then place one halved miniature peanut butter cup in the center. Fold the dough edges over the peanut butter cup half, rolling gently to form a smooth ball enclosing the candy. Place the dough balls on one prepared baking sheet.

Step 8: Coat Dough Balls and Bake

Roll each dough ball first in granulated sugar, then in powdered sugar until completely coated. Transfer the coated balls to the second baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, aiming for about 9 minutes for a perfectly crackled top. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 2 to 3 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool fully.

How to Serve Reese’s Crinkle Cookies Recipe

A white plate filled with many dark chocolate cookies covered with cracked white powdered sugar on top, showing rough cracked textures. Around the edge of the plate, there are several small round peanut butter cups wrapped in golden foil with orange labels and some unwrapped showing the smooth brown surface. Next to the plate, on a white marbled surface, there is a glass jar filled with milk with two striped straws in black-and-white and yellow-and-white inside. Above the plate on the right side, there is a small clear bowl with white powdered sugar and a wooden spoon resting in it, and a silver spoon with creamy brown peanut butter outside the bowl. A woman's hand is slightly visible holding one of the straws. The whole scene is bright with a clean and tidy arrangement. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

Serve these cookies with a light dusting of extra powdered sugar for that classic crinkle look, or drizzle with melted chocolate or peanut butter for added decadence. A sprinkle of sea salt on top before baking also heightens the sweet and salty contrast brilliantly.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair wonderfully with a cold glass of milk or a creamy iced coffee. For a more indulgent treat, serve alongside vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce to complement the rich peanut butter and chocolate flavors.

Creative Ways to Present

For a party or gift, stack the Reese’s Crinkle Cookies in a decorative tin or wrap them in cellophane tied with a festive ribbon. You can also sandwich two cookies with a scoop of peanut butter or chocolate ice cream in between for a show-stopping dessert.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Place cooled cookies in an airtight container layered with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Stored at room temperature, they stay fresh for up to 4 days while maintaining their soft and chewy texture.

Freezing

You can freeze fully baked cookies in a sealed container or freezer bag for up to 3 months. To freeze dough balls, prepare them as directed and freeze before coating in sugar. When ready, roll in sugar and bake as usual.

Reheating

Warm cookies in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds or in a preheated 300°F oven for 5 minutes to bring back that fresh-baked softness and melt the peanut butter center slightly, making every bite heavenly.

FAQs

Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy?

While creamy peanut butter is best for a smooth, even texture in the cookie dough, you can use crunchy if you love a bit of extra texture from peanuts. Just be aware it may slightly affect the dough’s consistency.

Are these cookies gluten-free?

This Reese’s Crinkle Cookies Recipe uses all-purpose flour, so it is not gluten-free. However, you could attempt substituting a gluten-free flour blend, but results may vary slightly in texture.

Can I make these cookies vegan?

This recipe includes butter and egg, so it’s not vegan as is. But with plant-based butter and an egg substitute, you could experiment and adapt the recipe while keeping the delicious peanut butter and chocolate flavors.

Why do the cookies crackle on top?

The powdered sugar coating cracks as the dough expands in the oven, creating that signature crinkle effect and a beautiful contrast between the soft cookie and slightly crisp exterior.

How important is chilling the dough?

Chilling the dough for at least 30 minutes firms it up, which makes shaping easier and helps the cookies bake evenly without spreading too thin.

Final Thoughts

There’s something truly magical about the Reese’s Crinkle Cookies Recipe that instantly brings a smile with every bite. The perfect harmony of chocolate and peanut butter, combined with that melt-in-your-mouth texture and hidden peanut butter cup center, simply can’t be beat. Whether you’re baking them for friends, family, or just yourself, these cookies will quickly become a treasured go-to treat. Trust me, once you try this recipe, you’ll be dreaming up reasons to bake them again and again!