Easy Football Cookies with Reese’s – A Game Day Touchdown Treat!
Football cookies with Reese’s bring together rich chocolate, creamy peanut butter, and just the right amount of sweetness. Each bite hides a mini Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup inside a soft, chocolatey cookie dough that’s shaped like a football and decorated with white frosting laces. They’re soft, indulgent, and undeniably fun—perfect for game day, tailgates, or even a casual family movie night.
This recipe was inspired by my own love of football season treats and my family’s obsession with all things chocolate and peanut butter. These cookies take the classic combination to a whole new level by making them festive and undeniably charming. Trust me, your crowd will be as excited about these cookies as they are about the game!
Why This Football Cookies with Reese’s Recipe Is So Irresistible
- Hidden Reese’s Surprise: Each cookie has a mini Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup hidden inside. Talk about a touchdown flavor moment!
- Soft and Decadent Texture: The chocolate cookie dough stays soft while the edges bake perfectly firm.
- Game Day-Ready Design: Shaped like footballs and topped with white frosting laces, they’re visually perfect for sports fans.
- Beginner-Friendly: No complicated steps—just simple mixing, shaping, and baking.
- Customizable: Easy to swap in different fillings or add creative twists to suit your crowd.
Essential Ingredients for Perfect Football Cookies with Reese’s
The magic of this recipe lies in starting with high-quality ingredients that work perfectly together. Let’s take a closer look at a few key components:
- HERSHEY’S SPECIAL DARK Cocoa: This is what gives the cookie dough its deep, chocolatey flavor. If you’re out of this brand, regular cocoa powder works too, but the dark cocoa adds a richer depth.
- Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups Minis: These bite-sized peanut butter cups are the star! They melt slightly in the oven, creating that gooey, salty-sweet core to every cookie.
- All-Purpose Flour: This pantry staple forms the base of the cookies. Want to make these gluten-free? Substitute with a 1-to-1 gluten-free flour blend.
- White Frosting: Optional, but highly recommended for the football’s laces. You can use store-bought frosting or even pipe melted white chocolate for extra pizzazz.
Football Cookies with Reese’s Recipe Details
- Servings: 36 cookies
- Prep Time: 40 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
Ingredients for Football Cookies with Reese’s
- 3/4 cup butter or margarine (1-1/2 sticks), softened
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup HERSHEY’S SPECIAL DARK Cocoa
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- Approximately 36 Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups Minis (one half of an 8 oz package)
- 1/2 cup white ready-to-spread frosting (optional, for decoration)
How to Make Football Cookies with Reese’s
- Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper (or leave ungreased).
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar together until creamy and smooth. Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until fully combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, HERSHEY’S SPECIAL DARK Cocoa, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients into the butter mixture, stirring until a soft dough forms.
- Scoop out roughly 1 tablespoon of dough, flatten it slightly, and wrap it around a mini Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup. Roll the dough into a ball and gently shape it into a football.
- Using a toothpick or knife, score lines on the top of each cookie to mimic a football’s laces. Place the shaped cookies on your prepared baking sheet.
- Bake the cookies for 12 to 14 minutes, or until set but not cracked. Transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Optional: Once cool, pipe white frosting onto the tops to complete the football design.
Pro Tips for Perfect Football Cookies with Reese’s
- Always soften your butter for the cookie dough—it mixes easier and creates a smoother texture.
- Use a light touch when shaping the cookies to avoid squishing the Reese’s filling.
- Want to save time? Prep the dough and shape the cookies ahead of time, then freeze them to bake later.
- Store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days or freeze for longer freshness.
Delicious Football Cookies with Reese’s Variations
- Nut-Free Option: Swap the Reese’s filling for nut-free chocolate candies if you’re serving guests with allergies.
- Dark Chocolate Lover’s: Double the HERSHEY’S SPECIAL DARK Cocoa for a more intense chocolate experience.
- Seasonal Twist: Use pastel-colored frosting to make these cookies work for spring sports events, like March Madness!
Football Cookies with Reese’s FAQs
Can I use a different candy inside the cookies?
Absolutely! Try stuffing these cookies with Rolos, small chocolate squares, or any of your favorite bite-sized candies.
How far in advance can I make these cookies?
You can make the dough up to two days ahead and store it in the fridge. Shaped cookies can also be frozen for up to three months before baking.
Do I need to use white frosting for the laces?
No, that’s optional. You can also pipe melted white chocolate or simply leave them plain for simplicity.
How do I prevent the cookies from spreading too much?
Chill your cookie dough for 10-15 minutes before baking. This keeps the cookies from spreading while baking.
What’s the best way to store leftovers?
Keep your baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For longer storage, freeze them in a single layer first, then transfer them to a freezer bag.
These football cookies with Reese’s are sure to wow your game day crowd! Soft, rich, and loaded with that iconic chocolate-peanut butter combo, they’re every bit as delicious as they look. What’s your favorite game day treat? Let me know in the comments below—I’d love to hear from you!
Football Cookies with Reese’s
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup butter or margarine 1-1/2 sticks, softened
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup HERSHEY’S SPECIAL DARK Cocoa
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- Approximately 36 Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups Minis one half of an 8 oz package
- 1/2 cup white ready-to-spread frosting optional, for decoration
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper (or leave ungreased).
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar together until creamy and smooth. Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until fully combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, HERSHEY’S SPECIAL DARK Cocoa, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients into the butter mixture, stirring until a soft dough forms.
- Scoop out roughly 1 tablespoon of dough, flatten it slightly, and wrap it around a mini Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup. Roll the dough into a ball and gently shape it into a football.
- Using a toothpick or knife, score lines on the top of each cookie to mimic a football’s laces. Place the shaped cookies on your prepared baking sheet.
- Bake the cookies for 12 to 14 minutes, or until set but not cracked. Transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Optional: Once cool, pipe white frosting onto the tops to complete the football design.
