The Ultimate Guide to Baking Irresistible Giant Peanut Butter Monster Cookies with Reese’s Pieces
There’s something inherently thrilling about a giant cookie. It’s not just a treat; it’s a statement. A declaration of indulgence that whispers, “Go big or go home.” While the precise moment I decided to embark on the journey of baking giant cookies eludes me, the motivation is crystal clear: an undeniable, all-consuming peanut butter obsession. And for a craving this intense, a normal-sized cookie simply won’t suffice. If you’ve been following along, you might have noticed my deep dive into the world of peanut butter with the donuts I shared last week. My friends, I am rapidly approaching the point of no return, and these colossal cookies are a testament to that delicious descent.
For those curious about this ‘point of no return,’ picture me, comfortably nestled on the couch, in my favorite sweats, with a jar of creamy peanut butter and a spoon. It’s a familiar scene from particular dark Friday nights, especially when life offered no exciting plans. But let’s shift focus from my personal, slightly embarrassing comfort food rituals and get back to the star of the show: these incredible, giant cookies.
The Underrated Brilliance of Reese’s Pieces
Is it just me, or do Reese’s Pieces receive far less recognition than they deserve in the vast universe of candies? It often feels like their sibling, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, hogs all the spotlight – even the delightful mini unwrapped cups get more attention (and yes, those mini cups are ridiculously good; I usually inhale them whenever they appear). But my heart goes out to the poor, often overlooked Reese’s Pieces. In my humble opinion, they are severely underrated.
And that, my friends, is truly a shame, because these vibrant, crunchy, peanut butter-filled candies are the very ingredient that elevates these cookies from merely good to utterly drool-worthy. Without them, these would simply be classic peanut butter cookies. Don’t get me wrong, I have a deep affection for plain peanut butter cookies, especially when they’re thick, chewy, and perfectly baked. But let’s be honest: adding candy makes everything infinitely better!
A Philosophy for Life: When in Doubt, Add Candy!
This isn’t just a baking principle for me; it’s practically my philosophy for navigating life’s ups and downs. Had a challenging day? A little candy can instantly brighten things. Did that charming person from the bar forget to call? Candy. Did you somehow manage to trip *up* a flight of stairs? Again, CANDY. It’s a simple, sweet solution to many of life’s minor dilemmas, and a guaranteed mood booster.
The true key to unlocking candy bliss with these monster cookies is to savor them while they’re still warm. This magical moment allows you to experience a mouthful of warm, gooey, intensely peanut buttery goodness, where the Reese’s Pieces have softened just enough to melt into the cookie, creating pockets of incredible texture and flavor. It’s an experience that borders on transcendental.
Gah, I could just expire from happiness right now thinking about it.
Crafting Your Own Monster Masterpiece: Tips for Success
Making these giant peanut butter monster cookies is a straightforward process, but a few key tips will ensure your cookies are perfectly chewy, rich, and utterly irresistible every time. Let’s delve into the secrets behind achieving cookie perfection.
1. Ingredients Matter: Quality and Temperature
- Butter: Always start with softened, but not melted, salted butter. Room temperature butter creams beautifully with sugar, creating a light and airy base for your cookies. If your butter is too cold, it won’t blend properly; too warm, and your cookies might spread too much.
- Sugars: This recipe uses both dark brown sugar (firmly packed) and white sugar. The brown sugar contributes to the rich, chewy texture and depth of flavor, while the white sugar ensures crisp edges and a sweet balance. Don’t skimp on packing that brown sugar!
- Peanut Butter: Creamy peanut butter is called for here to achieve a smooth, consistent dough. While natural peanut butter can be used, its oil separation might alter the texture slightly. Stick to conventional creamy peanut butter for the best results in this recipe.
- Vanilla Extract: Pure vanilla extract makes a noticeable difference. It enhances all the other flavors in the cookie, adding a layer of warmth and complexity. If you’re feeling adventurous, try making homemade vanilla extract!
- Reese’s Pieces: These are non-negotiable! The distinct flavor and crunch they add are what make these “monster” cookies truly special.
2. Mixing for Perfection: Technique is Key
- Creaming Butter and Sugars: This is the crucial first step. Beat the softened butter with both sugars until the mixture is light, fluffy, and well combined. This process incorporates air, which contributes to the cookies’ texture.
- Adding Wet Ingredients: Incorporate eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Then, add the creamy peanut butter and vanilla extract, mixing until everything is smooth and fully integrated. Scrape down the sides of the bowl frequently to ensure even mixing.
- Incorporating Dry Ingredients: Once the wet ingredients are well combined, add the flour mixture (flour, baking soda, and salt) gradually. Mix on low speed until *just* combined. Overmixing the flour can develop the gluten too much, leading to tough cookies. As soon as you no longer see streaks of dry flour, stop mixing.
- Gentle Folding of Reese’s Pieces: The Reese’s Pieces should be folded in gently by hand with a wooden spoon or spatula. This prevents them from breaking up too much and ensures they are evenly distributed throughout the dough without overworking it.
3. Baking Big: Oven Temperature and Doneness
- Preheat Accurately: Ensure your oven is fully preheated to 300°F (150°C) before you place the cookies in. An accurately preheated oven is vital for even baking.
- Palm-Sized Dough Balls: The “giant” aspect of these cookies means generous portions of dough. Each ball should be roughly the size of your palm. This allows them to spread into large, satisfying cookies.
- Spacing on Cookie Sheets: Because these cookies are so large, they need plenty of room to spread. Only fit 6 balls of dough onto each large, ungreased baking sheet. Overcrowding will lead to uneven baking and cookies that merge into one another.
- Recognizing Doneness: Bake for 18-22 minutes. You’re looking for edges that are slightly golden brown, while the centers still look a little soft and underbaked. They will continue to cook and set as they cool on the baking sheet. Overbaking will result in dry, crumbly cookies rather than the desired chewy, gooey texture.
4. Cooling Gracefully: The Final Touch
- Cool on Racks: Once out of the oven, let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely. This allows them to firm up without becoming too hard.
- Enjoy Warm (But Be Patient): While the temptation to devour them immediately is strong, letting them cool for a few minutes right off the pan helps them set. However, a slightly warm cookie with gooey Reese’s is undeniably the best experience!
Serving Suggestions and Delicious Variations
These giant peanut butter monster cookies are fantastic on their own, but here are some ideas to elevate your cookie experience:
- Classic Milk Pairing: A tall, cold glass of milk is the quintessential companion for any peanut butter cookie, especially one of this magnitude.
- Coffee or Tea: Enjoy a warm cookie with your morning coffee or an afternoon tea for a delightful pick-me-up.
- Ice Cream Sandwich: For the ultimate indulgence, sandwich a scoop of vanilla (or even peanut butter!) ice cream between two slightly cooled monster cookies.
- Chocolate Drizzle: Melt some chocolate chips and drizzle over the cooled cookies for an extra layer of decadence.
- Other Mix-ins: Feel free to experiment! While Reese’s Pieces are key, you could also fold in chocolate chips, chopped pretzels for a salty crunch, or even other types of candy-coated chocolates.
Storage and Make-Ahead Options
If by some miracle you have leftover cookies, here’s how to keep them fresh:
- Room Temperature: Store baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-5 days. They tend to stay chewiest for the first couple of days.
- Freezing Baked Cookies: For longer storage, individual cookies can be wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and then placed in a freezer-safe bag or container. They’ll keep well for up to 2-3 months. Thaw at room temperature or gently warm in the microwave.
- Freezing Cookie Dough: You can also prepare the dough, form the large balls, and then freeze them on a baking sheet until solid. Once frozen, transfer the dough balls to a freezer-safe bag. When ready to bake, place the frozen dough balls on a baking sheet and add a few extra minutes to the baking time.
Peanut Butter Monster Cookies
ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 ¼ cups dark brown sugar firmly packed
- 1 ¼ cups white sugar
- 1 cup salted butter softened
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1 15 oz bag of Reese’s Pieces
instructions
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Preheat oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C). Prepare your baking sheets by lining them with parchment paper for easy cleanup, though the recipe suggests ungreased.
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In a medium bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Whisk these dry ingredients together thoroughly to ensure they are evenly distributed, then set the bowl aside.
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In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or a large bowl using a hand mixer), combine the dark brown sugar and white sugar. Blend at medium speed until well combined. Add the softened salted butter and continue mixing until a grainy paste forms, making sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl often to incorporate all ingredients. Next, add the large eggs one at a time, mixing after each until fully incorporated. Finally, add the creamy peanut butter and pure vanilla extract, mixing until the mixture becomes light, fluffy, and smooth on medium speed.
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Gradually add the reserved flour mixture to the wet ingredients. Mix at low-speed just until the ingredients are combined and no dry streaks of flour remain. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough cookies. With a wooden spoon or spatula, gently fold in the entire bag of Reese’s Pieces until they are evenly distributed throughout the rich cookie dough.
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Using a large scoop or your hands, drop generous, palm-sized balls of dough onto an ungreased cookie sheet (or parchment-lined). Remember these are *giant* cookies, so ensure ample spacing – about 6 balls of dough per large baking sheet is ideal to prevent them from spreading into each other. Bake for approximately 18-22 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies are lightly golden brown and the centers still appear slightly soft. This ensures a perfectly chewy interior. Transfer the freshly baked cookies to wire racks immediately after removing them from the oven to cool completely.
Conclusion: Indulge in the Giant Peanut Butter Monster Cookie Experience
These giant peanut butter monster cookies are more than just a recipe; they’re an invitation to indulge in pure comfort and joy. Whether you’re a lifelong peanut butter enthusiast or simply someone looking for an exceptionally satisfying treat, these cookies deliver on all fronts. With their chewy texture, rich peanut butter flavor, and the delightful surprise of Reese’s Pieces in every bite, they are guaranteed to become a new favorite in your baking repertoire. So go ahead, embrace the giant cookie, and let every warm, gooey bite transport you to your happy place. Happy baking!