Get ready to summon some serious Halloween spirit with these incredibly decadent Chocolate Reese’s Pieces Cookies! Imagine the deepest, richest chocolate cookie, perfectly chewy, and generously studded with vibrant Reese’s Pieces candies and playfully spooky edible googly eyes. These aren’t just cookies; they’re a festive celebration in every bite, designed to make your Halloween gatherings extra special and delightfully delicious.

Spooky & Delicious: The Ultimate Chocolate Reese’s Pieces Halloween Cookies

Where are all my Halloween enthusiasts, my spooky season aficionados, my candy corn connoisseurs?! Because today, we’re diving headfirst into the spirit of the season with a recipe that embodies everything we love about October 31st: rich flavors, playful decorations, and an undeniable sense of fun. These aren’t just any chocolate cookies; they are the quintessential Chocolate Reese’s Pieces Cookies, reimagined for Halloween with a charmingly eerie twist!

Every bite of these dark, fudgy cookies is a journey. The intense chocolate flavor provides the perfect backdrop for the beloved peanut butter and chocolate crunch of Reese’s Pieces. But what truly sets them apart, especially for this time of year, are those adorable edible googly eyes that transform a simple cookie into a character ready for a monster mash! Kids and adults alike will be enchanted by their spooky charm and irresistible taste.

Embracing the Halloween Spirit: More Than Just Candy

Halloween has always been a holiday that sparks joy and creativity for me. You either fall completely in love with its whimsical, slightly spooky nature, or you find yourself on the sidelines. I’m firmly in the “love it” camp! While I might not go all out with elaborate costumes every year, I certainly enjoy transforming my home into a festive, haunted haven with decorations and, of course, generously handing out candy to eager trick-or-treaters. And let’s be honest, a fair share of that candy finds its way into my own snack stash!

I cherish memories of when my boys were little. Weeks before Halloween, I’d stealthily acquire bags of candy, only to find myself in a delicious, yet somewhat embarrassing, cycle. I’d carefully poke a tiny hole in the Tootsie Roll bag and discreetly remove one or two, then another, until, inevitably, the entire bag was gone, necessitating a secret re-purchase! It was a mischievous ritual, but undeniably satisfying. And my sons, bless their sweet hearts, would always return from their trick-or-treating adventures, dump their hauls, and immediately hand over all the 100 Grand Bars – another one of my absolute favorites!

Now, living in a neighborhood where trick-or-treating isn’t a common occurrence, a girl still needs her chocolate fix, and these cookies are my delightful solution. They perfectly capture the nostalgic essence of Halloween candy while offering the superior taste and texture of a homemade treat. You’ll find yourself reaching for these over any store-bought candy this season!

Why These Chocolate Reese’s Pieces Cookies Are a Must-Make

These aren’t just ordinary chocolate cookies; they’re a masterpiece of texture and flavor, designed to tantalize your taste buds. Imagine a cookie that boasts the rich, deep flavor of a gourmet brownie, moist and chewy on the inside, with slightly crisp edges. That’s the foundation we’re building on! Then, we introduce the star of the show: Reese’s Pieces. Their distinctive peanut buttery crunch and vibrant orange, yellow, and brown hues not only add an exciting textural contrast but also a burst of nutty, sweet flavor that perfectly complements the dark chocolate.

But what truly elevates these cookies to Halloween superstar status are the charming edible googly eyes. They transform each cookie into a whimsical, wide-eyed monster, making them perfect for themed parties, school treats, or just a fun baking project with the kids. A final sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top might sound unusual, but it’s a chef’s secret for enhancing chocolate flavors, providing a subtle contrast that makes the sweetness pop. These cookies are guaranteed to be the most talked-about treat at any autumn gathering.

Gather Your Ghoulish Goodies: Essential Ingredients

Crafting these delectable Halloween cookies requires a blend of standard baking staples and a few fun, festive additions. Quality ingredients ensure the best flavor and texture, so choose wisely!

• All-purpose flour: The structural backbone of our cookies, providing the perfect chew.
• Unsweetened cocoa powder (sifted): This is key for that deep, rich chocolate flavor and a smooth, lump-free dough. Sifting ensures even distribution.
• Baking soda: Our leavening agent, helping the cookies rise and achieve that soft, chewy texture.
• Salt: Essential for balancing the sweetness and enhancing all the other flavors.
• Unsalted butter (room temperature): Crucial for a light, fluffy creamed mixture with the sugars. Room temperature butter incorporates air more effectively.
• Light brown sugar (firmly packed): Contributes to the cookies’ chewiness and adds a wonderful caramel note.
• Granulated sugar: Provides sweetness and helps with the cookie’s spread and crisp edges.
• Large eggs (room temperature): Bind the ingredients together and add moisture. Room temperature eggs emulsify better with the butter and sugar.
• Vanilla extract: A flavor enhancer that complements the chocolate and peanut butter.
• Reese’s Pieces candy (divided): The iconic peanut butter candy that brings crunch, flavor, and color. Dividing them allows some to bake into the dough and some to be pressed on top for visual appeal.
• Edible googly eyes: The fun, spooky touch that makes these cookies perfect for Halloween.
• Flaky sea salt (optional): A sprinkle on top highlights the chocolate and adds a delightful salty crunch.

Baking Tips for Perfectly Spooky Treats

To ensure your Chocolate Reese’s Pieces Cookies turn out perfectly moist, chewy, and irresistibly delicious, keep these expert tips in mind:

• Don’t Overbake: This is perhaps the most crucial tip for any cookie. For these rich chocolate cookies, baking them for just 10-11 minutes is ideal. The edges should be set, but the centers might still look slightly soft. They will continue to set as they cool, ensuring a moist and chewy texture. Overbaking leads to dry, crumbly cookies.
• Strategic Candy Placement: Incorporate 1 1/4 cups of Reese’s Pieces directly into the cookie dough. However, for that picture-perfect finish, immediately after removing the hot cookies from the oven, press additional Reese’s Pieces and the edible googly eyes onto the tops of each cookie. This ensures they are vibrant and visible, making your cookies even more appealing. The residual heat from the cookies will help them adhere.
• The Power of Chilling: This recipe calls for a minimum of 4 hours of dough chilling in the refrigerator, or even better, overnight. While it might test your patience, this step is non-negotiable for several reasons: it deepens the chocolate flavor, prevents the cookies from spreading too much, and results in a chewier, more flavorful cookie. Don’t skip it!
• Bring Dough to Room Temperature (Slightly): After chilling, remove the dough from the fridge and let it sit at room temperature for about 20-30 minutes before scooping. This makes the dough more pliable and easier to scoop consistently.
• Use a Cookie Scoop: For uniform size and even baking, a 1 1/2-inch cookie scoop is your best friend. This ensures all your cookies bake at the same rate and look professional.
• Parchment Paper is Key: Always line your baking sheets with parchment paper. It prevents sticking, promotes even baking, and makes cleanup a breeze.
• Storage: Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days to maintain their freshness and chewiness.

Step-by-Step Recipe: How to Conjure Up These Chocolate Delights

Chocolate Reese’s Pieces Cookies

Author: MaryAnn Dwyer

Servings: 32 cookies

Prep Time: 15 mins | Cook Time: 11 mins | Chilling Time: 4 hrs | Total Time: 4 hrs 26 mins

Summary: These Chocolate Reese’s Pieces Cookies are dark, rich and chocolatey and studded with delicious Reese’s Pieces candies and edible googly eyes that make them perfect for Halloween!

Ingredients

• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, sifted
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
• 3/4 cup light brown sugar, firmly packed
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1 3/4 cups Reese’s Pieces candy, divided
• 1/2 cup edible googly eyes
• Flaky sea salt, if desired

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, sifted cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Set this dry mixture aside.
2. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the softened butter and both sugars (light brown and granulated) on medium-high speed until the mixture is light and fluffy. This should take approximately 3 minutes.
3. Add the room temperature eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Then, stir in the vanilla extract until fully combined. Continue beating on high speed until the mixture is well-incorporated and creamy.
4. Gradually add the reserved flour and cocoa mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
5. Fold in 1 1/4 cups of the Reese’s Pieces candy using a rubber spatula. Once distributed, cover the cookie dough tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or ideally, overnight.
6. When ready to bake, remove the chilled dough from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for about 25-30 minutes. This will make it easier to scoop.
7. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
8. Using a 1 1/2-inch cookie scoop, portion out the dough and place the balls on the prepared baking sheet, ensuring they are about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.
9. Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes. Remember, do not overbake for a moist, chewy result.
10. Immediately upon removing the tray from the oven, while the cookies are still warm, gently press some of the remaining Reese’s Pieces and one or two edible googly eyes onto the top of each baked cookie. If desired, sprinkle with flaky sea salt for an extra touch of flavor.
11. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking tray for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire cooling rack to cool completely.

Notes

• I found that baking my cookies for 10-11 minutes was perfect for achieving a moist and chewy texture. Avoid overbaking.
• Adding additional Reese’s Pieces and googly eyes to the hot cookies right out of the oven ensures they stick well and look fantastic.
• Chilling the dough for at least 4 hours (or overnight) is essential for developing flavor and achieving the desired cookie consistency. I often prepare the dough the night before and let it soften slightly at room temperature before scooping and baking the next day.

Nutrition (approximate per serving)

• Calories: 165 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 21g
• Protein: 3g
• Fat: 8g
• Saturated Fat: 5g
• Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g
• Monounsaturated Fat: 2g
• Trans Fat: 1g
• Cholesterol: 27mg
• Sodium: 96mg
• Potassium: 73mg
• Fiber: 1g
• Sugar: 14g
• Vitamin A: 194IU
• Calcium: 17mg
• Iron: 1mg

Keywords: chocolate, cocoa powder, cookies, edible googly eyes, Halloween, Reese’s Pieces

Cuisine: American

Course: Dessert, Snack

More Sweet Treats to Explore

If you’re a fan of these delightful chocolate cookies, you’ll love exploring some of my other favorite recipes perfect for any occasion:

• Chewy Brown Sugar Blueberry Cookies: A delightful twist on a classic, bursting with fruity flavor.
• Kitchen Sink Cookies: Everything but the kitchen sink, packed into one irresistible cookie.
• Twix Cookies: Recreate the magic of your favorite candy bar in cookie form.

These Chocolate Reese’s Pieces Cookies are more than just a treat; they’re an experience, a memory-maker, and a perfect way to celebrate the most wonderfully spooky time of the year. Happy baking, and happy Halloween!

Join the Baking Fun!

There’s nothing I love more than seeing your creations! If you whip up a batch of these spooky and delicious Chocolate Reese’s Pieces Cookies, be sure to snap a photo and share it with the world. Follow me on Instagram at @thebeachhousekitchen and don’t forget to tag your photos with #thebeachhousekitchen. I can’t wait to see your monstrously good cookies!