Texas Al’s Giant Reese’s Stuffed Peanut Butter Cookies: The Ultimate Recipe

There’s something truly magical about a well-loved family recipe, passed down through generations. These are more than just ingredients and instructions; they carry stories, memories, and a sprinkle of nostalgia. Today, we’re diving into one such treasured classic: Texas Al’s Peanut Butter Cookies. This isn’t just any peanut butter cookie recipe; it’s a blueprint for creating colossal, wonderfully soft, and delightfully chewy cookies, each generously hiding a beloved Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup within its golden embrace. The recipe comes to us from Erica, who inherited it from her Uncle Al, making it a truly authentic piece of culinary history.

When I first received this recipe from Erica, it arrived in its original PDF format, a glimpse into its true origins. I always find immense joy in seeing recipes presented on old letterheads or penned in someone’s own handwriting – it adds a personal touch, a sense of legacy, that a typed document sometimes misses. This particular recipe immediately stood out, promising a unique peanut butter cookie experience that few others can match. And for good reason: these cookies are a masterpiece of flavor and texture, guaranteed to become a new favorite in your home.

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I’ve been passionately baking these incredible cookies for years, and it’s truly a wonder what took me so long to finally formalize the recipe into a printable card format. But fear not, the time has come! You can now easily print this recipe and add it to your collection of culinary favorites. These cookies are not just a dessert; they’re an event, a comforting treat that brings smiles and satisfaction with every bite. The sheer size and the unexpected burst of chocolate and peanut butter from the Reese’s cup make them unforgettable.

The Grand Scale of Texas Al’s Peanut Butter Cookies

What truly sets Texas Al’s Peanut Butter Cookies apart is their impressive size and their delightful secret: they are each generously stuffed with a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup. Forget dainty little bites; these are substantial, satisfying cookies designed to make a statement. Each individual cookie is crafted from almost 2 ounces of rich, flavorful dough, encasing a single mini peanut butter cup. This particular ratio of dough to filling ensures that you get a robust peanut butter flavor with every mouthful, perfectly complemented by the sweet and salty surprise in the center.

If you’re looking to adjust this ratio or prefer a different chocolate-to-peanut-butter balance, you have options! You could opt for Reese’s Thins or Reese’s Snack Size cups. Using a thinner or smaller Reese’s cup will reduce the chocolate intensity slightly, allowing the pure peanut butter cookie dough to shine even more, while still providing that irresistible gooey center. Experimenting with different sizes of Reese’s can tailor these giant cookies to your personal preference, making them even more versatile.

Creative Variations: More Than Just Reese’s

The beauty of this cookie dough lies in its versatility. While the classic version with Reese’s is undeniably phenomenal, the robust peanut butter dough serves as an excellent canvas for other delicious fillings. On a recent baking adventure, I decided to experiment and wrapped smaller portions of the dough around peanut butter-filled pretzel nuggets. The result? A delightful sweet-and-salty symphony that was absolutely addictive! These pretzel-filled cookies were roughly half the size of the originals, yielding a batch of just over 26 cookies, making them perfect for sharing or for those who prefer a slightly smaller, yet equally satisfying, treat.

But don’t stop there! Imagine these soft peanut butter cookies filled with a variety of other confections. Consider stuffing them with caramel candies for a gooey, buttery surprise, or perhaps a square of your favorite chocolate bar for a more intense chocolatey experience. White chocolate chips or even a dollop of Nutella could also work wonders. The key is to ensure the filling is firm enough to be encased by the dough before baking. This flexibility allows you to customize each batch to suit different tastes or whatever sweet cravings you might have.

Craft Your Own Copycat Reese’s (or Other Fillings!)

For those who love to get creative in the kitchen, or perhaps find themselves without any store-bought Reese’s on hand, you can easily whip up your own “copycat” Reese’s filling. It’s surprisingly simple and requires just two ingredients: ¼ cup of creamy peanut butter and ¼ cup of powdered sugar. Just mix them together until well combined, then divide the mixture into small bits. These bits can then be shaped and, if you desire, coated in melted chocolate for a true homemade Reese’s experience. The best part? When they’re hidden inside a cookie, you don’t have to worry about them looking perfectly uniform. Thank goodness for delicious imperfection!

Making your own filling offers an extra layer of customization. You can adjust the sweetness, add a pinch of salt for contrast, or even incorporate a tiny amount of vanilla extract to enhance the flavor. This DIY approach not only ensures fresh, high-quality ingredients but also adds a personal touch to your Texas Al’s Giant Peanut Butter Cookies. This method can also be applied to create other custom fillings, such as a chocolate ganache that firms up when chilled, or even a spiced cream cheese filling for a seasonal twist.

Baking for Success: Tips and Tricks

Achieving the perfect Texas Al’s cookie requires a few key steps and considerations. First, the quality of your ingredients matters. Using a good quality butter or margarine (especially one with 90-100 calories per tablespoon for optimal texture) will make a noticeable difference in the final product. Creaming the butter and sugars thoroughly by hand or with an electric mixer is crucial for incorporating air, which contributes to the cookies’ soft and chewy texture.

One of the most important steps in this recipe is chilling the dough. While tempting to skip, chilling the dough overnight, or at least until it’s firm enough to handle, is essential. This step prevents the cookies from spreading too much in the oven, ensuring they maintain their delightful, thick shape. Cold dough also allows the flavors to meld beautifully, resulting in a richer, more complex taste. When it comes to wrapping the mini peanut butter cups, take your time. Ensure the dough completely encloses the candy to prevent it from melting out during baking. You can leave the cookies round or gently press a criss-cross pattern on top with a fork for a classic peanut butter cookie look.

Baking time is also key for these large cookies. At 350 degrees F, 15-18 minutes is typically sufficient. You’re looking for edges that are set and lightly golden, while the centers still appear slightly soft. They will continue to set as they cool on the baking sheet. Overbaking can lead to dry cookies, so keep a close eye on them. The final touch, a drizzle of melted chocolate, adds an elegant finish and another layer of chocolatey goodness, tying together the Reese’s theme beautifully. This simple step elevates the presentation and taste, making these cookies truly bakery-worthy.

Serving and Storing Your Masterpiece

Once cooled, these giant Reese’s stuffed peanut butter cookies are ready to be devoured. They are absolutely delightful served warm, perhaps with a tall glass of cold milk, allowing the chocolate center to remain slightly gooey. They also make fantastic gifts for friends and family, or a show-stopping addition to any dessert table or bake sale. Due to their generous size, one cookie is often enough to satisfy the most intense sweet cravings.

To keep these magnificent cookies fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days. For longer storage, they freeze exceptionally well. Once completely cooled, place them in a single layer in a freezer-safe bag or container, separating layers with parchment paper if stacking. They can be frozen for up to 2-3 months. Thaw them at room temperature, or for a warm, gooey center experience, gently reheat them in the microwave for a few seconds.

The Enduring Appeal of Texas Al’s Peanut Butter Cookies

I still genuinely love this recipe, years after first receiving it. It’s a testament to the power of simple, well-executed baking, and the joy of sharing something truly delicious. Every time I bake a batch, I’m reminded of the humble origins of the recipe and the warmth it brings. So, Uncle Al, wherever you are, thank you for this incredible contribution to the world of cookies. Your legacy lives on in every soft, chewy, Reese’s-stuffed bite of these amazing peanut butter cookies. They are truly a joy to make and an even greater joy to eat. Don’t hesitate to try them yourself!

• Texas Cookies
• Texas Size Peanut Butter Cookies
• Back of the Bag Peanut Butter Chip Cookies
• Reese’s Baking Cups Cookies
• Small White Texas Sheet Cake

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