If you’re a fan of Reese’s peanut butter cups, cheesecake, and cookies, then get ready—this recipe combines all three into one irresistible dessert. Gooey Reese’s Cheesecake Cookies are soft, chewy, and filled with creamy cheesecake flavor, studded with peanut butter cups that melt into pockets of chocolatey-peanut butter bliss. Each bite is indulgent, making these cookies a showstopper for parties, holidays, or anytime you’re craving something sweet and comforting.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
There’s no shortage of cookie recipes out there, but these Reese’s cheesecake cookies stand out for good reason:
- Irresistible Flavor Combo: Cheesecake meets Reese’s in cookie form—creamy, nutty, chocolatey, and utterly indulgent.
- Perfectly Gooey Texture: Soft centers, gooey peanut butter pockets, and just the right amount of chewiness.
- Easy to Make: No complicated steps—just a few simple ingredients and you’re set.
- Crowd-Pleaser: Perfect for bake sales, potlucks, or family gatherings. Everyone loves Reese’s, so these cookies disappear fast!
- Customizable: You can swap in different candies, add chocolate chips, or even drizzle with melted chocolate.
If you’re looking for a cookie that feels special and gourmet yet easy to make at home, this recipe is for you.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
Here’s what you’ll need to make Gooey Reese’s Cheesecake Cookies:
- Butter: Softened, unsalted butter for a rich, creamy base.
- Cream Cheese: The star ingredient that adds tang and gooey texture.
- Sugar & Brown Sugar: For sweetness and chewiness.
- Egg: Helps bind the dough together.
- Vanilla Extract: Enhances flavor.
- All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure for the cookies.
- Baking Powder & Baking Soda: Helps the cookies rise slightly and stay soft.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness.
- Mini Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups: Chopped into halves or quarters.
- Chocolate Chips (optional): For extra gooey chocolate pockets.
Directions
Follow these simple steps to bake your gooey Reese’s cheesecake cookies:
- Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Cream the Base: In a large bowl, beat butter, cream cheese, sugar, and brown sugar until smooth and fluffy.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Mix in the egg and vanilla extract.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined.
- Fold in Candy: Gently stir in chopped Reese’s peanut butter cups and chocolate chips if using.
- Scoop Dough: Drop spoonfuls of dough onto the baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Bake: Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden but centers are still soft.
- Cool: Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. Enjoy warm for maximum gooeyness!
Servings and Pairing
This recipe makes about 24 cookies, depending on how large you scoop the dough.
Pairing Ideas:
- With Milk: Classic and unbeatable.
- With Coffee: A rich cup of coffee balances the sweetness beautifully.
- As a Dessert Platter: Pair these cookies with brownies, fudge, or chocolate-covered strawberries for an indulgent spread.
- With Ice Cream: Sandwich vanilla ice cream between two cookies for the ultimate dessert experience.
Variations
These cookies are versatile, and you can play around with flavors:
- Different Candy: Swap Reese’s with Snickers, Milky Way, or KitKats.
- Chocolate Overload: Add cocoa powder to the dough for double chocolate cheesecake cookies.
- Nut-Free Option: Use Reese’s Pieces or M&M’s instead of peanut butter cups.
- Holiday Twist: Add festive sprinkles or drizzle with colored candy melts.
- Stuffed Cookies: Wrap the dough around a whole mini Reese’s cup for a surprise-filled cookie.
Storage/Reheating
To keep your cookies fresh and gooey:
- Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Refrigeration: Keeps for up to a week, but allow them to come to room temperature before serving.
- Freezing Dough: Freeze raw cookie dough balls on a tray, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to 3 months. Bake straight from frozen, adding 1–2 minutes to the baking time.
- Reheating: Microwave a cookie for 10–15 seconds for that fresh-out-of-the-oven gooeyness.
FAQs
1. Can I make these cookies ahead of time?
Yes! The dough can be made 2–3 days in advance and stored in the fridge until ready to bake.
2. Do I have to use cream cheese?
Yes, it’s what gives the cookies their gooey cheesecake texture. Without it, you’ll just have regular chocolate chip cookies.
3. Can I make them smaller or bigger?
Absolutely—just adjust baking time. Smaller cookies need less time, while jumbo cookies need a few extra minutes.
4. Can I use full-sized Reese’s cups?
Yes, just chop them into small pieces before folding them into the dough.
5. How do I keep them from spreading too much?
Chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking to prevent excess spreading.
Conclusion
Gooey Reese’s Cheesecake Cookies are the perfect fusion of three beloved desserts: cookies, cheesecake, and Reese’s peanut butter cups. They’re rich, chewy, gooey, and full of chocolate-peanut butter goodness that melts in your mouth. Whether you’re baking for a party, sharing with loved ones, or treating yourself, these cookies are guaranteed to become a favorite.
Print
Gooey Reese’s Cheesecake Cookies
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Soft, chewy, and loaded with Reese’s peanut butter cups, these Gooey Reese’s Cheesecake Cookies are the ultimate indulgence. Easy to make, rich in flavor, and perfect for any sweet craving.
Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 ½ cups mini Reese’s peanut butter cups, chopped
- ½ cup chocolate chips (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, beat butter, cream cheese, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add egg and vanilla extract, mixing until smooth.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Gradually mix into wet ingredients until just combined.
- Fold in chopped Reese’s peanut butter cups and chocolate chips if using.
- Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough onto prepared baking sheets, spacing 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 10–12 minutes, until edges are golden but centers remain soft.
- Cool for 5 minutes on the baking sheet before transferring to a wire rack. Serve warm for maximum gooeyness!
Notes
- Chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking if you want thicker cookies.
- Use full-sized Reese’s cups chopped into chunks for bigger chocolate-peanut butter pockets.
- Microwave leftover cookies for 10 seconds to make them gooey again.
- For holiday flair, drizzle with melted white chocolate and sprinkles.
- Double the batch—they disappear fast!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes

