Reese’s Peanut Butter Dream: Mastering the Crumbl Cookie Collab at Home
Okay, cookie lovers, buckle up! If you’re anything like me, you experienced a minor meltdown when Crumbl Cookies released their Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup cookie. That perfect blend of peanut butter bliss, rich chocolate, and that signature Crumbl texture… it was pure magic. But what if you could recreate that magic in your own kitchen? Well, my friends, today is your lucky day! We’re diving deep into the world of homemade Crumbl-inspired Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup cookies, breaking down every step, and ensuring you achieve peanut butter perfection with every bite.
This isn’t just about throwing some ingredients together; it’s about understanding the nuances that make Crumbl cookies so uniquely delicious. We’ll be focusing on the perfect balance of wet and dry ingredients, the optimal baking time, and the secret to that soft, chewy interior and slightly crispy edge. Get ready to impress your friends and family (and yourself!) with these incredible copycat cookies.
## Understanding the Crumbl Magic: Key Elements
Before we jump into the recipe, let’s dissect what makes the Crumbl Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup cookie so special:
* **The Soft & Chewy Base:** This comes from a combination of butter, sugar, and brown sugar, along with a touch of cornstarch. The brown sugar adds moisture and chewiness, while the cornstarch helps to create that soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
* **Peanut Butter Power:** Obviously, peanut butter is the star of the show! We’ll be using it in both the cookie dough and the frosting, ensuring a double dose of peanut butter goodness. Creamy peanut butter is the key here for a smooth and decadent flavor.
* **Rich Chocolate Drizzle:** The chocolate drizzle adds a beautiful contrast to the peanut butter flavor and a touch of visual appeal. Semi-sweet chocolate chips, melted to a smooth consistency, work perfectly.
* **Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups:** The crowning glory! Chopped Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups add bursts of intense peanut butter flavor and a delightful textural element.
* **The Size Matters:** Crumbl cookies are known for their generous size. We’ll be making large cookies, approximately 4-5 inches in diameter, to truly capture the Crumbl experience.
## The Ultimate Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Crumbl Cookie Recipe
**Yields:** 8-10 large cookies
**Prep Time:** 30 minutes
**Chill Time:** 1-2 hours (highly recommended)
**Bake Time:** 10-12 minutes
**Ingredients:**
**For the Cookies:**
* 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
* 1 cup granulated sugar
* 1 cup packed light brown sugar
* 1 cup creamy peanut butter
* 2 large eggs
* 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
* 3 cups all-purpose flour
* 1 teaspoon baking soda
* 1 teaspoon baking powder
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 1 cup Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, chopped (plus extra for topping, optional)
**For the Peanut Butter Frosting:**
* 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
* 1 cup creamy peanut butter
* 3 cups powdered sugar
* 1/4 cup milk (or more, as needed)
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* Pinch of salt
**For the Chocolate Drizzle:**
* 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
* 1 tablespoon shortening or coconut oil (optional, for a smoother drizzle)
**Equipment:**
* Stand mixer or hand mixer
* Large mixing bowl
* Measuring cups and spoons
* Baking sheets
* Parchment paper or silicone baking mats
* Cookie scoop (optional, but helpful for consistent sizing)
* Wire rack
* Microwave-safe bowl
* Piping bag or ziplock bag (optional, for drizzling)
**Instructions:**
**Part 1: Making the Peanut Butter Cookie Dough**
1. **Cream the Butter and Sugars:** In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. This usually takes 3-5 minutes with an electric mixer. Make sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl occasionally to ensure everything is evenly incorporated.
2. **Add the Peanut Butter:** Add the creamy peanut butter to the mixture and beat until well combined. The mixture should be smooth and creamy.
3. **Incorporate the Eggs and Vanilla:** Beat in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract. Mix until just combined. Be careful not to overmix at this stage.
4. **Combine the Dry Ingredients:** In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. This ensures that the leavening agents are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
5. **Gradually Add the Dry Ingredients to the Wet Ingredients:** Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the dough, as this can result in tough cookies. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, leading to a less tender cookie.
6. **Fold in the Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups:** Gently fold in the chopped Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups until they are evenly distributed throughout the dough. This is best done by hand to avoid breaking the peanut butter cups into too small of pieces.
7. **Chill the Dough (Important!):** Cover the dough with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least 1-2 hours, or even overnight. This chilling time is crucial for several reasons:
* **Prevents Spreading:** Chilled dough spreads less during baking, resulting in thicker, chewier cookies.
* **Enhances Flavor:** Chilling allows the flavors to meld and deepen, resulting in a more flavorful cookie.
* **Easier Handling:** Chilled dough is easier to handle and scoop, preventing it from sticking to your hands.
**Part 2: Baking the Cookies**
1. **Preheat the Oven:** Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. This prevents the cookies from sticking and makes for easy cleanup.
2. **Scoop the Dough:** Use a large cookie scoop (about 1/4 cup) to scoop the dough onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches of space between each cookie. These cookies will spread, so don’t overcrowd the baking sheet.
3. **(Optional) Add Extra Reese’s Pieces:** If you want, gently press a few extra chopped Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups on top of each cookie before baking. This adds a nice visual appeal and extra peanut butter flavor.
4. **Bake:** Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the centers are set. The cookies should still be slightly soft in the center. Remember that oven temperatures can vary, so keep an eye on the cookies and adjust the baking time as needed.
5. **Cool:** Remove the baking sheets from the oven and let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Cooling on the baking sheet allows the cookies to firm up slightly before being moved.
**Part 3: Making the Peanut Butter Frosting**
1. **Cream the Butter and Peanut Butter:** In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and peanut butter until smooth and creamy. This usually takes 2-3 minutes with an electric mixer.
2. **Gradually Add the Powdered Sugar:** Gradually add the powdered sugar to the mixture, mixing on low speed until combined. Be careful not to add all of the powdered sugar at once, as this can create a cloud of dust.
3. **Add the Milk, Vanilla, and Salt:** Add the milk, vanilla extract, and salt to the mixture and beat until smooth and creamy. Add more milk, 1 tablespoon at a time, if the frosting is too thick. The frosting should be spreadable but not too runny.
**Part 4: Making the Chocolate Drizzle**
1. **Melt the Chocolate Chips:** In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the semi-sweet chocolate chips in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until smooth and melted. Be careful not to overheat the chocolate, as this can cause it to seize up.
2. **Add Shortening (Optional):** If desired, stir in the shortening or coconut oil to the melted chocolate. This will help to create a smoother and more fluid drizzle.
**Part 5: Assembling the Cookies**
1. **Frost the Cookies:** Once the cookies are completely cooled, spread a generous layer of peanut butter frosting on top of each cookie. You can use a knife, spatula, or piping bag to frost the cookies.
2. **Drizzle with Chocolate:** Drizzle the melted chocolate over the frosted cookies. You can use a spoon, fork, or piping bag to create the drizzle pattern. Get creative and have fun!
3. **(Optional) Garnish:** For an extra touch, sprinkle some chopped Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups on top of the chocolate drizzle.
4. **Let Set:** Allow the frosting and chocolate drizzle to set completely before serving. This usually takes about 30 minutes to an hour.
## Tips and Tricks for Peanut Butter Perfection
* **Don’t Overmix the Dough:** Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, resulting in tough cookies. Mix until just combined.
* **Chill the Dough:** Chilling the dough is crucial for preventing spreading and enhancing flavor.
* **Use Room Temperature Butter:** Softened butter is essential for creating a smooth and creamy cookie dough and frosting. Make sure to let the butter sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes before using it.
* **Measure Accurately:** Baking is a science, so accurate measurements are important for success. Use measuring cups and spoons to measure the ingredients carefully.
* **Adjust Baking Time as Needed:** Oven temperatures can vary, so keep an eye on the cookies and adjust the baking time as needed. The cookies should be golden brown around the edges and slightly soft in the center.
* **Use High-Quality Ingredients:** Using high-quality ingredients, such as real butter, pure vanilla extract, and good-quality chocolate chips, will result in a better-tasting cookie.
* **Get Creative with the Frosting and Drizzle:** Feel free to experiment with different flavors and toppings. You can add a pinch of sea salt to the frosting for a salty-sweet flavor, or use a different type of chocolate for the drizzle.
* **Storage:** Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, you can freeze the cookies for up to 2 months.
## Variations and Add-Ins
* **Peanut Butter Chip Version:** Add 1 cup of peanut butter chips to the cookie dough for even more peanut butter flavor.
* **Chocolate Peanut Butter Chip Combo:** Add 1/2 cup of peanut butter chips and 1/2 cup of chocolate chips to the cookie dough for a delightful combination.
* **Sea Salt Sprinkle:** Sprinkle a pinch of sea salt on top of the frosted cookies for a salty-sweet contrast.
* **Pretzel Pieces:** Add crushed pretzel pieces to the cookie dough or sprinkle them on top of the frosting for a salty and crunchy texture.
* **Mini Reese’s Pieces:** Instead of chopped Reese’s Cups, use mini Reese’s Pieces for a colorful and fun twist.
* **Different Chocolate Drizzle:** Use white chocolate, dark chocolate, or even peanut butter chips for the drizzle.
## Troubleshooting Common Issues
* **Cookies Spreading Too Much:** This is usually caused by dough that is too warm or not enough flour. Make sure to chill the dough thoroughly and measure the flour accurately.
* **Cookies Being Too Dry:** This can be caused by overbaking or using too much flour. Be careful not to overbake the cookies and measure the flour accurately.
* **Cookies Being Too Tough:** This is usually caused by overmixing the dough. Mix until just combined.
* **Frosting Too Thick:** Add more milk, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the frosting reaches the desired consistency.
* **Frosting Too Runny:** Add more powdered sugar, 1/4 cup at a time, until the frosting reaches the desired consistency.
## Serving Suggestions
These Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Crumbl cookies are perfect for:
* **Parties and Gatherings:** They’re always a crowd-pleaser!
* **Gifts:** Package them in a cute box or tin for a thoughtful homemade gift.
* **Dessert:** Enjoy them with a glass of milk or a scoop of ice cream.
* **Snacks:** Perfect for an afternoon treat.
* **Holidays:** A festive addition to any holiday dessert table.
## Final Thoughts: Your Peanut Butter Adventure Begins!**
Recreating the Crumbl Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup cookie at home is a rewarding experience. It allows you to control the ingredients, customize the flavors, and enjoy that peanut butter-chocolate bliss whenever the craving strikes. With a little practice and patience, you’ll be whipping up these amazing cookies in no time. So, gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and get ready to embark on your own peanut butter cookie adventure! Happy Baking!