1. Prepare the Cheesecake Filling
- Mix Ingredients: In a small bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy. Set aside.
2. Prepare the Cookie Dough
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer or stand mixer to cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add Peanut Butter: Mix in the creamy peanut butter until well combined.
- Incorporate Egg and Vanilla: Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
- Fold in Reese’s Pieces: Gently fold in the chopped Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups.
3. Assemble the Cookies
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Scoop Cookie Dough: Using a cookie scoop or spoon, scoop out a tablespoon-sized amount of cookie dough and place it onto the prepared baking sheet. Flatten the dough slightly with your fingers.
- Add Cheesecake Filling: Use a small spoon or your finger to make a small indentation in the center of each cookie dough mound. Place a small spoonful of the cheesecake filling into the indentation.
- Cover with Dough: Add a small amount of additional cookie dough on top of the cheesecake filling to cover it. The cookies don’t need to be perfectly sealed, but try to cover most of the filling.
- Add Topping (Optional): Sprinkle additional chopped Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups on top of each cookie and a pinch of sea salt for extra flavor.
4. Bake the Cookies
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown. The centers may look slightly soft, which is okay as they will firm up as they cool.
- Cool: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Tips for Perfect Gooey Reese’s Cheesecake Cookies
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure your cream cheese, butter, and egg are at room temperature for a smoother mixing process.
- Don’t Overmix: Be careful not to overmix the cookie dough once you add the dry ingredients to keep the cookies tender.
- Check Doneness: Cookies continue to cook on the baking sheet even after you remove them from the oven, so avoid overbaking.
Variations
- Different Fillings: Experiment with other candy bars or chocolate pieces in place of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups.
- Cheesecake Flavors: Add a swirl of fruit preserves or chocolate sauce to the cheesecake filling for added flavor.
These Gooey Reese’s Cheesecake Cookies offer a delightful combination of creamy cheesecake and rich peanut butter chocolate, making them a perfect treat for any occasion. Enjoy the gooey, indulgent center and the crispy, chewy cookie edges!