Soft, thick, and chewy, these reese's pieces butterscotch cookies are a treat that appeals to the young and young at heart. Loaded with sweet butterscotch chips and colourful reese's pieces, these cookies have a delightful contrast of textures and flavours that make them irresistible and perfect for any occasion.
Butterscotch chips and reese's pieces are the star ingredients in this recipe. While these may not be common household staples, they are readily available in most supermarkets or online stores. Butterscotch chips bring a sweet, caramel-like flavour that complements the peanut butter taste of reese's pieces perfectly. Do watch out for these ingredients when you head to the supermarket for the best results.
Ingredients for Soft-Baked Reese's Pieces Butterscotch Cookies
All-purpose flour: This is the base of the cookie dough. It provides the structure and body to the cookies.
Baking soda: This helps the cookies rise and become soft and fluffy.
Cornstarch: It makes the cookies extra soft and thick.
Salt: It enhances the flavor of the other ingredients.
Unsalted butter: It gives the cookies a rich and buttery taste.
Brown sugar: It adds a slight molasses flavor and keeps the cookies moist.
Granulated sugar: Besides the sweetness, it also helps in browning and crispness.
Egg: It binds the ingredients together and adds moisture.
Vanilla extract: It enhances the flavors of the cookies.
Butterscotch chips: They melt and spread throughout the cookie, providing a sweet caramel-like flavor.
Reese’s pieces: These add a peanut buttery taste and a colorful look to the cookies.
One reader, Giacomo Sturm says:
These soft-baked Reese's Pieces Butterscotch cookies are a game-changer! The combination of butterscotch and Reese's Pieces creates a delightful flavor explosion. The cookies are soft, chewy, and utterly irresistible. I highly recommend trying this recipe - it's a guaranteed crowd-pleaser!
Essential Techniques for Perfect Soft-Baked Cookies
How to prepare the dough: Mix the dry ingredients together and then combine with the wet ingredients until a soft, thick dough forms. Chill the dough in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours.
How to shape the cookies: Roll the chilled dough into tall balls, ensuring they are taller rather than wide to help the cookies bake up thick. Press a few more Reese’s Pieces on top of the dough balls before baking.
How to bake the cookies: Bake the cookies at 325 degrees F for 12 to 13 minutes. The cookies will look very soft and underbaked, but they will continue to bake on the cookie sheet. Allow them to cool on the sheet for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
How To Make Soft-Baked Reese’s Pieces Butterscotch Cookies
In the rare occasion that you’d find yourself having some excess Reese’s pieces in the cupboard, why not make a batch of these butterscotch cookies?
Serves:
Ingredients
- 2¼cupall-purpose flour,spoon & leveled
- 1tspbaking soda
- 1½tspcornstarch
- ½tspsalt
- ¾cupunsalted butter,1.5 sticks, melted and slightly cooled
- ¾cupbrown sugar,packed light
- ½cupgranulated sugar
- 1large egg,+ 1 egg yolk
- 2tsppure vanilla extract
- ¾cupbutterscotch chips
- ½cupReese’s Pieces
Instructions
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Whisk the flour, baking soda, cornstarch, and salt together in a large bowl. Set aside.
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In a medium bowl, whisk the melted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar together until no brown sugar lumps remain.
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Whisk in the egg, then the egg yolk.
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Finally, whisk in the vanilla extract. The mixture will be thick.
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Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix together until combined. The dough will be very soft, yet thick.
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Fold in the chocolate chips.
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Cover the dough and chill in the refrigerator for 3 hours or up to 2 to 3 days.
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Take the dough out of the refrigerator and allow to slightly soften at room temperature for 10 minutes.
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Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
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Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper. Set aside.
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Roll the dough into balls, about 3 tablespoons of dough each.
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Roll the cookie dough balls to be taller rather than wide, to ensure the cookies will bake up to be thick.
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Place 8 balls of dough onto each cookie sheet. Press a few more Reese’s pieces on top of the dough balls.
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Bake the cookies for 12 to 13 minutes. The cookies will look very soft and under baked.
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They will continue to bake on the cookie sheet.
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Allow to cool on the cookie sheet for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Nutrition
- Calories: 227.40kcal
- Fat: 10.56g
- Saturated Fat: 6.56g
- Trans Fat: 0.35g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 2.63g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.57g
- Carbohydrates: 30.39g
- Fiber: 0.65g
- Sugar: 16.29g
- Protein: 3.04g
- Cholesterol: 34.52mg
- Sodium: 119.94mg
- Calcium: 16.78mg
- Potassium: 56.73mg
- Iron: 0.95mg
- Vitamin A: 77.85µg
Crucial Technique for Achieving the Perfect Soft-Baked Texture
To ensure your cookies have a soft and chewy texture, it's crucial to not overbake them. Even if they look underbaked after the recommended baking time, take them out of the oven. They will continue to bake on the cookie sheet and will firm up as they cool. This technique will give you a cookie with a soft center and slightly crispy edges, perfect for the butterscotch chips and Reese's pieces to shine through.
Time-Saving Tips for Making Reese's Pieces Butterscotch Cookies
Chill the dough: Chilling the cookie dough helps to solidify the fats, resulting in a better texture and flavor.
Use a cookie scoop: Using a cookie scoop ensures uniform cookie size, which helps them bake evenly.
Pre-measure ingredients: Pre-measuring ingredients before starting the recipe can save time and make the process more efficient.
Use parchment paper: Lining baking sheets with parchment paper makes for easy cleanup and prevents cookies from sticking.
Room temperature eggs: Using room temperature eggs can help them incorporate more easily into the dough, saving time and effort.
Substitute Ingredients For Soft-Baked Reese’s Pieces Butterscotch Cookies Recipe
all-purpose flour - Substitute with whole wheat flour: Whole wheat flour can add a nutty flavor and extra nutrients to the cookies, while still providing the necessary structure for baking.
baking soda - Substitute with baking powder: Baking powder can be used as a substitute for baking soda in this recipe, but you may need to adjust the quantity as it is less potent.
cornstarch - Substitute with arrowroot powder: Arrowroot powder can be used as a thickening agent similar to cornstarch and will help give the cookies a soft texture.
unsalted butter - Substitute with coconut oil: Coconut oil can be used as a dairy-free alternative and will add a subtle coconut flavor to the cookies.
brown sugar - Substitute with coconut sugar: Coconut sugar can be used as a lower glycemic index alternative to brown sugar, adding a rich caramel flavor to the cookies.
granulated sugar - Substitute with maple syrup: Maple syrup can add sweetness and moisture to the cookies, while also providing a hint of maple flavor.
large egg - Substitute with flax egg: A flax egg can be used as a vegan alternative to a regular egg, providing binding properties to the cookie dough.
pure vanilla extract - Substitute with almond extract: Almond extract can add a delicious nutty flavor to the cookies, complementing the butterscotch and Reese's Pieces.
butterscotch chips - Substitute with white chocolate chips: White chocolate chips can provide a creamy and sweet flavor to the cookies, similar to butterscotch.
Reese’s Pieces - Substitute with chopped peanut butter cups: Chopped peanut butter cups can provide a similar peanut butter flavor and texture to the cookies, adding a delicious twist.
How to Beautifully Present These Delectable Cookies
Elevate the cookie: Place the soft-baked Reese's Pieces butterscotch cookies on a sleek, modern plate to showcase their homemade charm and irresistible appeal.
Garnish with finesse: Sprinkle a dusting of powdered sugar around the cookies for a touch of elegance and a hint of sweetness.
Add a touch of sophistication: Accompany the cookies with a dollop of freshly whipped vanilla bean cream, adding a luxurious element to the presentation.
Incorporate a pop of color: Arrange a few vibrant edible flowers around the cookies to introduce a visually striking and organic component to the plate.
Create a harmonious composition: Place the cookies on a bed of crushed butterscotch candies to add texture and a delightful surprise with each bite.
Essential Kitchen Tools for Making Butterscotch Cookies
- Whisk: A kitchen tool used for whipping and mixing ingredients together, typically made of metal loops or wires.
- Medium bowl: A bowl of moderate size used for mixing and combining ingredients.
- Large bowl: A bowl of substantial size used for mixing and combining larger quantities of ingredients.
- Parchment paper: A non-stick paper used for lining baking sheets and pans to prevent food from sticking.
Proper Storage and Freezing Methods for Butterscotch Cookies
Here are the storing and freezing guidelines for soft-baked Reese's Pieces butterscotch cookies:
- Allow the cookies to cool completely before storing. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
- For longer storage, you can freeze the cookies:
- Place the cooled cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid, about 1-2 hours.
- Transfer the frozen cookies to a freezer-safe zip-top bag or airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Label the bag or container with the date and contents.
- Freeze for up to 2-3 months.
- To thaw frozen cookies, remove them from the freezer and let them sit at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes before serving. You can also warm them up slightly in the microwave for 10-15 seconds for a freshly-baked taste and texture.
- If you want to store unbaked cookie dough for later use, shape the dough into balls and place them on a baking sheet. Freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. When ready to bake, remove the desired number of dough balls from the freezer and let them thaw slightly at room temperature before baking as directed in the recipe, adding an extra minute or two to the baking time if needed.
How To Reheat Leftover Soft-Baked Cookies
To reheat leftover soft-baked reese's pieces butterscotch cookies, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the cookies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 5-7 minutes, or until they are warmed through and slightly crispy around the edges. This method will help restore the cookies' original texture and bring out the flavors of the butterscotch chips and reese's pieces.
Another option is to use a microwave. Place a cookie on a microwave-safe plate and heat it in 10-second intervals until it reaches your desired temperature. Be careful not to overheat the cookie, as it may become too soft or lose its texture. Microwaving is a quick and convenient method, but it may not yield the same results as oven reheating.
For a more indulgent treat, try warming up your leftover soft-baked reese's pieces butterscotch cookies in a skillet with a small amount of butter. Melt a small pat of butter in a non-stick skillet over medium-low heat. Place the cookie in the skillet and heat for 30-60 seconds on each side, or until warmed through and slightly crispy. This method will add a rich, buttery flavor to your cookie and create a deliciously crisp exterior.
If you prefer a softer, chewier texture, you can reheat your cookies using a steamer. Fill a pot with a small amount of water and bring it to a simmer. Place the cookies in a steamer basket above the water, making sure they don't touch the water directly. Cover the pot and steam the cookies for 1-2 minutes, or until they are warmed through and soft. This method will help maintain the cookies' moisture and create a tender, chewy texture.
Interesting Trivia About Reese's Pieces Butterscotch Cookies
Reese's Pieces and butterscotch chips are a delicious combination in this soft-baked cookie recipe.
Is Making Soft-Baked Reese's Pieces Butterscotch Cookies at Home Cost-Effective?
This soft-baked Reese's Pieces butterscotch cookies recipe is moderately cost-effective for a household. The combination of butterscotch chips and Reese's Pieces may be slightly pricier, but the yield of 24 cookies justifies the cost. The approximate cost for a household of 4 people is around $12. The delightful flavors and soft texture make these cookies a hit, earning a solid 9/10 rating.
Are Reese's Pieces Butterscotch Cookies Healthy or Unhealthy?
The soft-baked Reese's Pieces butterscotch cookies recipe is undeniably delicious, but it's not the healthiest choice. The recipe is high in sugar, with both brown and granulated sugar, which can contribute to obesity, diabetes, and other health issues when consumed in excess. Additionally, the recipe uses a significant amount of butter, which is high in saturated fat and can raise cholesterol levels.
The recipe also lacks any nutritional value, as it doesn't include any fruits, vegetables, or whole grains. The main ingredients are refined flour, sugar, and butter, which provide empty calories without any essential nutrients.
To make this recipe healthier, consider the following suggestions:
- Reduce the amount of sugar by using a sugar substitute or cutting the sugar by half
- Replace some of the butter with healthier alternatives like Greek yogurt, applesauce, or mashed avocado
- Use whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour to increase the fiber content
- Add some oats to the recipe for extra fiber and nutrients
- Incorporate some chopped nuts, like almonds or walnuts, for healthy fats and protein
- Reduce the amount of butterscotch chips and Reese's Pieces, or replace them with dark chocolate chips, which are lower in sugar and contain antioxidants
By making these adjustments, you can still enjoy the delicious flavor of these cookies while making them a bit healthier. However, it's important to remember that cookies should still be consumed in moderation as part of a balanced diet.
Editor's Opinion on These Irresistible Butterscotch Cookies
The soft-baked Reese's Pieces butterscotch cookies recipe is a delightful combination of sweet and savory flavors. The addition of butterscotch chips and Reese's Pieces creates a rich and indulgent treat, while the soft-baked texture adds a comforting touch. The use of cornstarch in the recipe helps to achieve a tender and chewy cookie, making each bite a delightful experience. The careful balance of flavors and textures in this recipe makes it a standout choice for anyone with a sweet tooth.
Enhance Your Soft-Baked Reese’s Pieces Butterscotch Cookies Recipe with These Unique Side Dishes:
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Why trust this Soft-Baked Reese’s Pieces Butterscotch Cookies Recipe:
This recipe guarantees a delightful treat with a perfect balance of sweetness and richness. The combination of butterscotch chips and Reese's Pieces creates a symphony of flavors, while the use of unsalted butter ensures a pure taste. The careful incorporation of cornstarch results in a soft-baked texture that will leave you craving for more. With a meticulous review process, this recipe has been crafted to perfection, earning the trust of our users.
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