Irresistible Reese’s Pieces Rice Krispies No Bake Cookies: Your Ultimate Quick & Easy Peanut Butter Treat
Imagine a dessert that hits all the right notes: a delightful crispness, a satisfying chewiness, and that undeniable, creamy peanut butter flavor, all studded with the colorful, iconic crunch of Reese’s Pieces. These aren’t just any cookies; these are Rice Krispies No Bake Cookies with Reese’s Pieces – a truly exceptional treat that comes together with remarkable speed and minimal effort. Perfect for those moments when a sudden craving strikes or when you need a crowd-pleasing dessert without turning on your oven. Get ready to discover your new favorite quick-fix sweet that’s sure to become a staple in your recipe collection.
Let’s be honest, we’ve all been there. That frantic evening scramble when your child casually mentions, “Oh, by the way, I need three dozen cookies for the school bake sale tomorrow!” or “It’s my turn to bring treats for the class party!” In those moments, the thought of preheating an oven, waiting for dough to chill, and then baking multiple batches can feel utterly overwhelming. This is precisely where the magic of no-bake cookies, especially these delightful peanut butter and Rice Krispies creations, shines brightest. They are not only a lifesaver for last-minute demands but also provide a fantastic opportunity to involve your little chefs in the kitchen, teaching them valuable cooking skills and a sense of responsibility without the added complexity of baking. Plus, what kid doesn’t love helping to make a sweet treat that involves candy?
These unique Rice Krispies no bake cookies will undoubtedly be a massive hit at any bake sale, family gathering, potluck, or even just as an after-school snack. No-bake cookies are a universally loved classic that appeals to all ages. While there are many popular no-bake varieties out there—like traditional oatmeal no-bake cookies, corn flake no-bake cookies, or coconut no-bakes—these Rice Krispies versions offer something truly special. They elevate the humble crispy rice cereal beyond just standard Rice Krispie treats, giving these cookies an incredible, satisfying crunch and that distinct crackle that makes every bite an experience. The smooth, melt-in-your-mouth Reese’s Pieces add a burst of color and an extra layer of peanut buttery goodness, ensuring your cookies stand out from the crowd and satisfying even the most intense peanut butter cravings. It’s the perfect blend of textures and flavors that makes these treats truly irresistible.
Why You’ll Love This Easy No-Bake Recipe
There are countless reasons why these Reese’s Pieces Rice Krispies No Bake Cookies will become your go-to dessert for almost any occasion:
- Unbelievably Fast: From start to finish, these cookies require only about 10 minutes of active prep and cook time, making them one of the fastest homemade treats you can whip up.
- No Oven Required: Perfect for hot summer days, busy holidays when your oven is in high demand, or simply when you want to avoid extra heat in your kitchen.
- Kid-Friendly Fun: The simple steps make this an ideal recipe for getting children involved. They can help measure ingredients, stir the mixture (once cooled slightly), and definitely assist with shaping the cookies.
- Crowd-Pleasing Flavors: The classic combination of peanut butter, crispy rice, and colorful Reese’s Pieces is a guaranteed winner with almost everyone, from toddlers to grandparents.
- Perfect Texture Combination: You get the best of both worlds – a crispy crunch from the Rice Krispies, a satisfying chewiness from the peanut butter mixture, and the smooth candy shell of the Reese’s Pieces.
If you are in need of some more unique cookie recipes to spice up your kitchen around the holidays, or just to try something new, don’t miss my famous Chewy French Toast Cookies and Pumpkin Gingersnap Cookies! They offer different flavor profiles but maintain that same homemade goodness.
Essential Ingredients for These Delicious Treats
One of the beauties of this recipe lies in its simplicity and the readily available ingredients. You likely have most of these pantry staples on hand already, making it even easier to whip up a batch on a whim. Each ingredient plays a crucial role in creating the perfect balance of flavor and texture:
- ¼ cup packed brown sugar: Adds a rich, molasses-like depth of flavor and contributes to the chewy texture.
- ¼ cup granulated sugar: Provides sweetness and helps create the smooth base.
- ½ cup light corn syrup: This is key for the no-bake magic! It acts as a binder, preventing crystallization and giving the cookies their signature chewy consistency without needing to be baked.
- ¾ cup peanut butter: The star flavor! Both chunky or smooth peanut butter work perfectly. Smooth will give a uniform texture, while chunky will add extra peanut crunch.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: A classic flavor enhancer that rounds out the sweetness and peanut butter notes.
- 2 cups crispy rice cereal: The “Rice Krispies” in our cookies! These provide that fantastic light, airy, and crispy texture. For more cereal-based treats, check out my Loaded Peanut Butter Rice Crispy Treats!
- ½ cup Reese’s Pieces candies: The colorful, crunchy, and utterly delicious peanut butter candy that makes these cookies extra special and provides an irresistible burst of flavor.
Step-by-Step Instructions: Creating Your No-Bake Masterpiece
Making these no-bake cookies is incredibly straightforward. The key is to work efficiently once the wet ingredients are heated, as the mixture will begin to set as it cools. Follow these steps for perfect results every time:
- Prepare Your Workspace: Before you start cooking, lay a sheet of waxed paper, parchment paper, or a non-stick baking mat on a clean, flat surface like a countertop or baking sheet. This will be where your cookies cool and set, and having it ready ensures you can work quickly once the mixture is prepared.
Boil the Sweet Base: In a small saucepan, combine the brown sugar, granulated sugar, and light corn syrup. Place this over medium heat. Stir occasionally as it heats to help the sugars dissolve. Bring the mixture to a full, rolling boil. Let it boil for about 1 minute, without stirring, to ensure it reaches the proper temperature for setting. Immediately remove the saucepan from the heat to prevent it from burning or becoming too thick.
2. Stir in Peanut Butter and Vanilla: Off the heat, immediately add the peanut butter (creamy or chunky, whichever you prefer!) and vanilla extract to the hot sugar mixture. Stir vigorously until the peanut butter is completely melted and smoothly incorporated into the syrup. This creates the rich, chewy base for your cookies. For more delightful peanut butter treats, check out my Peanut Butter Chocolate Owl Cupcakes!
3. Combine with Cereal and Candy: This step requires speed! Working quickly, add the crisp rice cereal and Reese’s Pieces candies to the peanut butter mixture. Using a spatula, fold the cereal and candy into the creamy peanut butter base until everything is thoroughly coated. Make sure to scrape the bottom and sides of the pan to ensure all ingredients are well combined. The mixture will be sticky, but this is normal.
4. Form and Cool the Cookies: Drop spoonfuls of the warm mixture onto your prepared waxed paper. If you desire a more uniform shape, you can gently use your hands (lightly greased with butter or cooking spray if it’s too sticky) to mold them into rounder cookies while they are still warm enough to work with but not too hot to handle. Allow the cookies to cool completely and set up on the waxed paper. This usually takes about 30-60 minutes at room temperature, or you can speed up the process by placing them in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes.
Tips for No-Bake Cookie Perfection
While this recipe is incredibly forgiving, a few pointers can ensure your Rice Krispies No Bake Cookies with Reese’s Pieces turn out perfectly every single time:
- Don’t Overcook the Sugar Mixture: Boiling for exactly one minute is crucial. Over-boiling can make the cookies too hard or crumbly, while under-boiling might prevent them from setting properly.
- Work Quickly: Once you remove the saucepan from the heat and add the peanut butter, and especially when you add the cereal and candies, you need to work fast. The mixture cools and thickens rapidly.
- Measure Accurately: Especially for the liquid ingredients and sugars, precise measurements ensure the right consistency for your cookies.
- Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh crispy rice cereal will give you the best crunch. Stale cereal can result in a softer cookie.
- Lightly Grease Your Hands: If the mixture is too sticky to shape, a tiny bit of butter or cooking spray on your fingertips can make forming the cookies much easier.
- Let Them Fully Set: Patience is a virtue here! Don’t rush the cooling process. Fully set cookies will have the best texture and won’t be overly sticky.
Store your finished Rice Krispies No Bake Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature to maintain that irresistible chewy yet crispy texture we all know and love. They should stay fresh for up to a week, though it’s unlikely they’ll last that long!
Customizing Your Reese’s Pieces Rice Krispies Treats
While the Reese’s Pieces are a fantastic addition, this recipe is incredibly versatile. Feel free to experiment with other add-ins to create your unique no-bake cookie variations:
- Chocolate Drizzle: Melt some chocolate chips (milk, dark, or white) and drizzle over the cooled cookies for an extra layer of indulgence.
- Mini Chocolate Chips: Swap out half of the Reese’s Pieces for mini chocolate chips, or add them in addition for a double chocolate-peanut butter punch.
- Other Candies: M&M’s, chopped Snickers, or even small pieces of your favorite candy bars can be a fun substitute for Reese’s Pieces.
- Nuts and Seeds: For added crunch and a nutritional boost, stir in some chopped peanuts, cashews, or sunflower seeds.
- Different Cereals: While Rice Krispies provide a unique texture, you could try other crispy cereals like corn flakes or even crushed O-shaped cereal for a different twist.
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Reese’s Pieces Rice Krispies No Bake Cookies
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Ingredients
- ¼ cup packed brown sugar
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup light corn syrup
- ¾ cup peanut butter (both chunky or smooth work fine)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups crisp rice cereal
- ½ cup Reese’s Pieces candies
Instructions
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Lay a sheet of waxed paper, parchment paper or a non-stick baking mat on a flat surface.
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In a small saucepan, add the brown sugar, granulated sugar and corn syrup. Heat this over medium heat until it comes to a full boil. Remove from the heat and stir in the peanut butter and vanilla extract.
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Working quickly, add the crisp rice cereal and reese’s pieces candy. Fold the cereal and candy into the peanut butter mixture until everything is well coated.
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Drop by spoonfuls onto the waxed paper. After you’ve gotten all the rice krispie cookies dropped onto the waxed paper, you can go through and use your hands to shape them into more uniform shapes if desired.
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Allow to cool and set up.
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