Description
Delight in these soft and chewy Peanut Butter Heart Cookies featuring a perfect blend of creamy peanut butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar. Each cookie is topped with a classic Reese’s Peanut Butter Heart candy, making them ideal for peanut butter lovers and perfect for festive occasions or everyday treats.
Ingredients
Scale
Wet Ingredients
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup vegetable shortening (Crisco)
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar (divided)
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
Dry Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Topping
- 12 ounce package Reese’s Peanut Butter Hearts
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for baking the cookies.
- Cream Fats and Sugars: In a mixing bowl, cream together the unsalted butter, vegetable shortening, peanut butter, 1/2 cup of granulated sugar, and light brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Add the eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition. Then mix in the vanilla extract to incorporate it evenly.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt to ensure even distribution of the leavening agents and seasonings.
- Mix Dry and Wet Ingredients: Gradually stir the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, mixing gently to combine without over-mixing, as the dough should remain very soft.
- Prepare Sugar Coating: Pour the remaining 1/2 cup of granulated sugar into a small bowl for rolling the cookie dough.
- Shape and Roll Cookies: Scoop the dough into balls and roll each ball in the granulated sugar until evenly coated.
- Bake: Place the sugar-coated dough balls onto a parchment-lined cookie sheet and bake for 7 to 10 minutes, just until the cookies are set and pale. Avoid over-baking to keep them soft.
- Cool Slightly: Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for 2 to 3 minutes for partial firming.
- Add Candy Topping: While the cookies are still warm, press an unwrapped Reese’s Peanut Butter Heart candy into the center of each cookie.
- Cool Completely and Store: Allow the cookies to cool completely on a rack. Store leftovers at room temperature in a container or freeze them for extended storage.
Notes
- Do not over-mix the dough to maintain a soft texture.
- Watch the baking time carefully; cookies should be pale and just set to stay soft after cooling.
- Rolling the dough balls in granulated sugar adds a delightful sugary crunch to the cookie exterior.
- Press the candy hearts into the cookies while still warm for a better adhere and soften the candy slightly.
- Cookies freeze well; thaw at room temperature before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 7-10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: peanut butter cookies, Reese's heart cookies, soft cookies, holiday cookies, peanut butter dessert
