Double Chocolate Peanut Butter Reese's Pieces Cookies- Non Pumpkin Halloween/Fall Cookies

Sure, I like pumpkin treats, but I LOVE chocolate and peanut butter.  I'll personally OD (overdose) on pumpkin before Thanksgiving if I have too much during September and October.  Therefore, I have to pace myself.  I can't be the only person to feel this way about pumpkin, right?

I also believe that it is possible to have Fall/Halloween cookies that don't involve pumpkin or some googly monster eyes.

Reese's Pieces are the perfect Fall candy that you can buy at any store.  They are naturally Fall/Halloween colors.  Using Reese's Pieces in these cookies not only make them festive, but they add to the deliciousness of an already amazing cookie. 

I've been tweaking this recipe for a couple years now, but I have finally perfected it.  These Double Chocolate Peanut Butter Reese's Pieces Cookies are "Freaking Amazing" according to my friend. 

These cookies have the perfect sweetness of chocolate (not too sweet, but a good darker/deeper chocolate flavor) with just the right amount of peanut butter.

Besides having amazing chocolate peanut butter flavor these cookies are soft and big and taste delicious for days... if you can find yourself not eating them all at once. 

Double Chocolate Peanut Butter Reese's Pieces Cookies

Recipe: Alohamora

Active Time: 40 minutes

Inactive Time: 20 minutes

Servings:  1 1/2 dozen large or 3-4 dozen medium cookies

Ingredients: 

1/2 c. bittersweet or dark chocolate chips 

1/2 c. butter, softened
3/4 c. creamy peanut butter
3/4 c. sugar
3/4 c. brown sugar, packed
2 eggs
2 tsp vanilla

1 1/2 c. flour, unbleached all purpose
1/2 c. cocoa powder 
1 tsp baking soda
1/8 tsp salt
1 c. Reese’s Pieces, Mini or a bit more of the regular size.

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. 
2. On 2 cookie sheets lay baking mats or parchment paper and set aside.
3. Melt the dark/bittersweet chocolate chips on the stove or in the microwave and then set aside.   
4. In a large bowl or stand mixer cream the butter and peanut butter for 2-3 minutes on low.
5. Add the sugars and mix it until it is light and fluffy.  
6. Add the melted chocolate and mix until just combined. 
7. Add the eggs and the vanilla one at a time briefly mixing after each addition.  
8. You may need to scrape the sides of the bowl to be sure everything is mixing well.
9. Add the flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt in order on top of the butter mixture and mix until just combined. 
10. Add about 3/4 c. of Reese's Pieces to the dough either by hand or briefly mix in the stand mixer for no more than 20 seconds. You are going to save the remaining Reese's Pieces to place on top of the cookie dough balls. 
11. Using a large cookie scoop, or with a spoon, make cookie dough balls that are about 3 Tbsp in size and place them on the prepared cookie/baking sheet.   
12. Flatten the cookie dough balls slightly and place the extra 1/4 c. of Reese's Pieces on top among all of the cookie dough balls. 
13. Bake cookies at 325 degree for 8-10 minutes or until the cookies are no longer shiny. 8 minutes was my magic number.  Do not over bake.  If your cookies are smaller, using a medium cookie scoop, bake for 68 minutes. 
14. Cool cookies on the baking sheet and/or cooling rack.  
15. Enjoy with or without milk. 
16. Store leftovers in an airtight container, though if you want the cookies to last longer or you plan on shipping/mailing them place them in the freezer for a couple hours.  

Happy Double Chocolate Peanut Butter Reese's Pieces Cookies eating!  Just try and not eat more than 2 cookies at a time.  :)