Indulge in the mouthwatering goodness of these Reese’s Pieces Cookie Bars. They are the perfect marriage of soft and crunchy, with the kind of chewiness that keeps you coming back for one more square.
Easy Reese’s Pieces Bars
Cookie bars are already the perfect treat, but when you add irresistible Reese’s Pieces candy to the recipe, they transform into a guilty pleasure no one can seem to resist.
My personal fascination with Reese’s Pieces goes back decades (1982) when this candy catapulted from what seems like relative obscurity to becoming everyone’s favorite snack (overnight), all courtesy of its cinematic collaboration in one of my MOST beloved childhood movies, “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial.” I would argue, that collab stands as one of the most triumphant and iconic instances of product placement in the history of filmmaking, which ultimately propelled Reese’s Pieces into its realm of unprecedented popularity. And even though its been years sine E.T. phoned home, these nostalgic bites of chocolate and peanut butter still have a hold on me.
Related: Cookie Butter-Nutella Blondies for that sweet tooth moment.
Welcome the kids home from school with a batch of these tasty Reese’s Pieces Bars paired perfectly with a streaming session of “E.T.” This would be the perfect afternoon in my opinion, especially on a rainy day.
Why Reese’s Bars Are A Crowd Favorite
If you’re still not convinced, there are many reasons why I believe these bars unfailingly vanish whenever I bake a batch. In the world of desserts, these bars effortlessly combine contrasting textures and flavors. Enter the Reese’s Pieces Bars, where softness meets crunchiness, and chewiness embraces a satisfying richness, resulting in an indulgence that’s hard to resist.
- These bars are a perfect blend of sweetness and peanut butter goodness that hits the sweet spot for anyone who loves the combination both flavors. The resulting taste is universally appealing and downright irresistible.
- They are soft and chewy on the inside, while the Reese’s Pieces candies and chocolate chips give that satisfying crunch. This contrast in textures keeps every bite exciting. Every bite is perfect.
- Again, these bars evoke a sense of nostalgia, in older generations. It’s obvious the sentimental value adds to their charm.
- The hassle-free process, making them is accessible for both novice and experienced bakers. This is a great recipe for teens to make and is perfect for bake sales, sports parties or whatever else is on the social calendar.
Ingredients Needed for Reese’s Pieces Cookie Bars
To recreate the magic of Reese’s Pieces Bars in your own kitchen, you’ll need a few essential ingredients. The full, printable recipe can be found at the end of this post.
- Butter: The secret to achieving that rich, buttery flavor in your cookie bars. It also keeps the bars soft and moist.
- Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness to the bars, balancing out the peanut butter flavor.
- Brown Sugar: Adds a subtle caramel flavor and contributes to the bars’ chewy texture.
- Vanilla: Enhances the overall flavor.
- All-Purpose Flour: The main structural component of these bars.
- Baking Powder: The leavening agent responsible for the bars’ rise and fluffiness.
- Baking Soda: Baking soda aids in browning and adds to the bars’ texture.
- Salt: A pinch of salt balances the sweetness and enhances the flavor profile.
- Reese’s Pieces Candy: These candies add color, crunch, and that unmistakable peanut butter flavor.
- Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips : Complement the peanut butter candy with a creamy and velvety chocolate flavor and texture.
Optional Add-Ins for Reese’s Pieces Bars
If you want to, it’s easy to take your Reese’s Pieces Bars to the next level.
I think crushed pretzel pieces would provide a nice twist to the bars by adding a contrasting texture and a hint of saltiness. The combination of sweet and salty flavors is always a good idea.
Chopped nuts, such as peanuts or almonds, could be sprinkled on top of the bars for an extra layer of crunchiness. They’re going to provide a satisfying texture, while enhancing the nutty flavor of the peanut butter filling.
If you want to go even further and elevate the gourmet factor of your Reese’s Pieces Bars, consider adding sea salt sprinkles. The delicate flakes of sea salt not only enhance the taste and look so pretty.
Ultimately, whether you stick to the essential components of the recipe or experiment with the optional add-ons, these bars are guaranteed to satisfy your sweet tooth and leave you craving for more.
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Reese’s Pieces Bars
This recipe is so easy to put together it can ultimately be broken down into three, simple steps.
- Prepare and Mix: Begin by preparing your baking dish as needed. Mix together the ingredients to create the cookie bar batter.
- Bake and Cool: Place the batter in the oven until it’s done, and then allow the bars to cool to a comfortable temperature.
- Slice and Serve: Once cooled, slice the bars into squares, and they’re ready to be enjoyed!
It doesn’t get any easier than this!
Best Practices For Storage
Following these storage methods will help preserve the freshness and flavors of your Reese’s Pieces Bars.
- Room Temperature (Short Term):
- Store in an airtight container or wrap with plastic wrap.
- Suitable for consumption within 2-3 days.
- Refrigeration (Extended Storage):
- Place in an airtight container or wrap tightly with plastic wrap.
- Keeps bars fresh for up to a week or more.
- Freezing (Long-Term Storage):
- Wrap individual bars or the entire batch in plastic wrap, followed by aluminum foil or a freezer-safe container.
- Can be stored in the freezer for up to 2-3 months.
- Layering and Separation:
- When storing multiple bars, use parchment paper or wax paper to separate them, preventing sticking.
- Room Temperature vs. Chilled:
- Bars are softer and chewier at room temperature.
- Refrigeration can make them slightly firmer; choose based on your preference.
- Thawing:
- If frozen, allow bars to thaw in the refrigerator or at room temperature briefly before serving to restore their desired texture.
Recipe Notes
Hopefully these notes offer some guidance on achieving the perfect Reese’s Pieces Bars, while providing solutions to common questions that may arise during your preparation. Let me know if there are any other burning questions.
- These bars should not be gooey in the middle. After baking, a toothpick inserted into the center should come out with only a few crumbs attached. They should be softer on the inside than the outside or the edges.
- They should rise significantly during baking. If they didn’t rise and you followed all the directions and added in all of the ingredients, then your baking powder or baking soda may no longer be effective.
- You can use either brown sugar or white sugar alone, depending on your preference and availability. Brown sugar adds a richer flavor, while white sugar provides straightforward sweetness.
- Creaming together the butter and sugar is a crucial step in the recipe. Skipping this step is not recommended, as it contributes to the desired texture and flavor of the bars.
- Feel free to personalize this recipe by replacing Reese’s Pieces with other candies of your choice. M&M’s or seasonal candies can be delightful alternatives.
- Enjoy the bars on their own or pair them with a cup of hot cocoa.
- Consider adding a drizzle of melted chocolate on top for an elegant touch.
More Peanut Butter and Chocolate Combinations You Need to Experience
The savory nuttiness of peanut butter perfectly complements the cocoa notes of chocolate, making it one of the most IRRESISTABLE dessert combinations in all of the land.
- A perfect make-ahead dessert, this Peanut Butter-Chocolate Icebox Cake will everyone asking for a second slice.
- These Peanut Butter-Banana-Chocolate Chip Cookies are everyone’s favorite and they take only a short amount of time to put together.
- Molten Peanut Butter Chocolate Cake for the win!
Piece-fulness
Good things come in small pieces, so when you decide to make these perfect dessert bars, don’t forget to capture a photo and mention @NOBLEPIG and #noblepig on INSTAGRAM. They’re truly the ‘piece de resistance.”
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Reese's Pieces Bars
Ingredients
Reese's Pieces Bars:
- 3/4 cup butter, softened, plus more for greasing
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsps. baking powder
- 1/2 tsp. baking soda
- 1/2 tsp. table salt
- 1 cup Reese's Pieces candies, divided
- 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
How to Make Reese's Pieces Bars:
- Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare your 9x9 baking dish by either lining it with parchment paper or greasing it lightly with a thin layer of butter.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the softened butter and both sugars, blending them together until smooth and creamy. (You can achieve this either by hand or by using a hand/stand mixer for added convenience.)3/4 cup butter, softened, plus more for greasing, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
- Add vanilla into the mixture and stir it in thoroughly.1 tsp. vanilla extract
- In a large bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Gently incorporate the flour mixture with the butter-sugar mixture, making sure the batter is fully combined.2 cups all-purpose flour, 2 tsps. baking powder, 1/2 tsp. baking soda, 1/2 tsp. table salt
- Fold in 1/2 cup of the Reese's Pieces and all of the chocolate chips.1 cup Reese's Pieces candies, divided, 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- Spread the resulting batter evenly into your 9x9 dish. For a finishing touch, sprinkle the additional Reese's Pieces on top, pressing them in only slightly.
- Slide your baking dish into the preheated oven and bake for approximately 20 minutes. Keep a close eye on it; the bars should be ready when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with just a few crumbs attached. While the edges may not turn golden, the bottoms should be lightly browned.
- Allow your baked bars to cool. Once they have reached a comfortable temperature, slice them into squares,
Notes
Nutrition
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