These Reese's Pieces double chocolate cookies are bursting with chocolate flavor and loaded with bits of peanut butter.

They're chewy, fudgy, and packed with colorful-candy coated peanut butter pieces that make them just as fun to look at as they are to eat. 

Chocolate and peanut butter are one of my favorite combinations! I had a craving and decided it was the perfect time for some Reese's Pieces double chocolate cookies. The yellow, orange and brown bits of candy remind me of the fall season.

I know, it's just the colors and peanut butter isn't exactly a seasonal flavor but it feels the same as having peppermint cookies out in December. Sometimes a cookie just looks like a holiday cookie. 

This double chocolate cookie recipe uses both cocoa powder and melted chocolate for that extra chocolaty taste. I've also added a tablespoon of espresso powder to boost flavor even more. It will not taste like coffee. It just makes the chocolate shine. 

It's a trick I use all the time in chocolate cake and chocolate cupcakes. When you have good quality coffee or espresso it really makes a difference. Don't sweat it though if you don't have espresso powder, your cookies will still taste awesome!

Ingredients for Reese's Pieces Cookies:

• Unsalted butter: No need for room temperature butter here! You will be warming up the butter until just melted. Melted butter gives the cookies a nice fudgy texture.
• Granulated sugar: adds sweetness of course. If you want to add some chewyness, consider substituting part of the sugar for brown sugar.
• Cocoa powder: I used unsweetened Dutch processed cocoa powder for deep chocolate flavor.
• Bittersweet chocolate chips: Melted chocolate chips make these double chocolate and couple the fun! Bittersweet tastes best with the sugar amount in the recipe but you can use semisweet  in a pinch. 
• Espresso powder: This is optional but it will enhance the chocolate flavor.
• Vanilla extract: An essential flavor booster.
• Eggs: Bind the dough and keeps the cookie center soft.
• All purpose flour, baking soda and salt: Pantry basics that give the cookie it's structure and lift.
• Reese's Pieces: The colorful, peanut butter taste that is the star ingredient!

How to Make Reese's Pieces Double Chocolate Cookies:

Start by melting the chocolate in the microwave in 20 second increments until smooth. Then melt the butter in the microwave. It does not need to be completely liquid but just melted enough to easily combine with the melted chocolate. Combine the butter with the chocolate.

I prefer melting them separately for better control when using the microwave but if you are comfortable melting them together you definitely can do so!

In a medium bowl sift together the dry ingredients: flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt. In a separate bowl, whisk together the sugar, eggs, vanilla  and espresso powder. 

Add the chocolate mixture to the sugar mixture and stir until well combined. Fold in the flour mixture and finally the Reese's Pieces. To make your cookies extra pretty, save a few pieces to press into the tops of the dough balls before baking. 

Since we used melted butter, it's best to chill the dough at least 30 minutes or overnight before baking. This will prevent overspreading in the oven. It's easiest to scoop dough balls first and then chill. 

Place cookie dough balls on a baking sheet 2 inches apart. Bake the cookies in a preheated oven for 8-9 minutes. Because these are chocolate Reese's Pieces cookies, it's sometimes hard to tell how much they have browned.

I've set the cooking time to 8 minutes on the low end because that's when you should check them. Unless your oven temperature is way off, they should be done after 8 minutes and finish cooking while they cool on the pan.

These Reese's Pieces double chocolate cookies come out with a soft and chewy inside. Everyone has different cookie preferences so if you like soft and chewy this one's for you.

On the other hand, if you like thick and cake-like cookies, you should check out my chocolate peanut butter cookies. It's a rich chocolate cookie stuffed with peanut butter.

Storing and Freezing Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies:

These Reese's Pieces double chocolate cookies stay fresh in an airtight container at room temperature for about 4-5 days. For longer storage, freeze baked cookies in a freezer-safe bag for up to 2 months. You can also freeze cookie dough balls. Just bake them straight from the freezer and add 1-2 minutes to the bake time.

More Chocolate and Peanut Butter Dessert Recipes:

 If you love these Reese's Pieces cookies, you'll also enjoy:

• Chocolate Cupcakes: A class recipe that can be frosted with creamy peanut butter frosting or anything else!
• Peanut Butter Cheesecake Brownies with Pretzel Crust: A salty-sweet dreamy indulgence!
• Peanut Butter Blossoms: Just 4 ingredients and so easy to make!
• Peanut Butter Swirl Brownies: These are both pretty and decadent and easier to make than they appear.