If you’re a lover of cookies, then you’ve stumbled upon a true treasure with these Butterscotch Reeses Pudding Cookies. Imagine a cookie that combines the rich, buttery flavor of butterscotch with the irresistible crunch and creaminess of mini Reeses Peanut Butter Cups. These cookies are soft, chewy, and bursting with flavor, making them the perfect treat for any occasion. Whether you’re baking for a party, a family gathering, or just for yourself, these cookies are sure to impress!
Butterscotch pudding mix brings a unique texture and sweetness that elevates the cookie to a whole new level. Plus, with the addition of applesauce, these cookies stay moist and tender, ensuring that each bite is as delightful as the last. Let’s dive into the reasons why you’ll love these cookies, the ingredients you’ll need, and how to whip them up in no time!
Reasons to Love Butterscotch Reeses Pudding Cookies

- Incredible Flavor: The combination of butterscotch and peanut butter creates a rich, sweet, and nutty flavor that’s hard to resist.
- Soft and Chewy: Thanks to the pudding mix and applesauce, these cookies maintain a soft texture that stays fresh for days.
- Quick and Easy: This recipe is simple and straightforward, making it perfect for both novice and seasoned bakers.
- Customizable: You can easily adjust the ingredients to suit your taste preferences or dietary needs.
- Perfect for Sharing: These cookies make a delightful gift for friends and family, sure to bring smiles all around!
Ingredient List
- 1/4 cup butter, softened
- 1/2 cup applesauce or 1-4 ounce single serve package
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 (3.4 ounce) package butterscotch instant pudding
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups mini Reeses Peanut Butter Cups, chopped
Gear Up: What to Grab
- Mixing Bowls: For combining your ingredients easily.
- Measuring Cups and Spoons: Accurate measurements are key for perfect cookies.
- Spatula: For mixing and scraping down the bowl.
- Baking Sheet: To place your cookies on when baking.
- Parchment Paper: Optional, but helps prevent sticking and makes cleanup a breeze.
- Cooling Rack: To let your cookies cool down properly.
Butterscotch Reeses Pudding Cookies, Made Easy

Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures that your cookies bake evenly and come out perfectly golden.
Step 2: Mix the Wet Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened butter, applesauce, brown sugar, and granulated sugar. Beat the mixture together until it’s creamy and well combined.
Step 3: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Next, add in the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Follow this by adding the vanilla extract, beating until everything is fully incorporated.
Step 4: Incorporate the Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the butterscotch pudding mix, baking soda, and flour. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined. Be careful not to overmix!
Step 5: Fold in the Chocolate
Gently fold in the chopped mini Reeses Peanut Butter Cups, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the cookie dough.
Step 6: Scoop and Bake
Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, drop dollops of dough onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, spacing them a couple of inches apart. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden.
Step 7: Cool and Enjoy
Once baked, allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack. Enjoy them warm or store them for later!
Dairy-Free/Gluten-Free Swaps

- Use dairy-free butter or coconut oil in place of regular butter for a dairy-free option.
- Swap the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free flour blend to make these cookies gluten-free.
- Choose a dairy-free pudding mix to keep the recipe completely dairy-free.
If You’re Curious
These Butterscotch Reeses Pudding Cookies can be a fun experiment! Try adding different mix-ins like chopped nuts, or other types of chocolate for a twist. You can also adjust the level of sweetness by reducing the sugar slightly if desired.
- What makes the cookies chewy? The combination of pudding mix and applesauce helps keep the cookies moist and chewy.
- Can I use regular peanut butter cups instead of mini ones? Absolutely! Just chop them into smaller pieces to ensure they mix well into the dough.
- How do I store these cookies? Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week for maximum freshness.
- Can I freeze the dough? Yes! You can scoop the dough onto a baking sheet and freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag for up to three months.
Freezer-Friendly Notes
If you love to prep ahead, these Butterscotch Reeses Pudding Cookies are perfect for freezing! You can freeze the dough balls before baking. Just scoop the dough onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, freeze until solid, and then transfer to a zip-top bag. When you’re ready to bake, just add a couple of extra minutes to the baking time.
Handy Q&A
Can I make these cookies without eggs?
Yes! You can replace each egg with 1/4 cup of unsweetened applesauce or a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 2.5 tablespoons of water, let sit until gel-like).
What if I don’t have butterscotch pudding mix?
You can substitute with vanilla pudding mix, but the flavor will be different. The texture will remain similar, providing a nice chewiness.
How do I know when the cookies are done baking?
The edges should be lightly golden, and the centers will look slightly underbaked. They will set as they cool!
Can I add more chocolate?
Absolutely! Feel free to add chocolate chips or chunks to the dough for an extra chocolatey treat.
Similar Recipes
- Classic Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Healthy Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Brown Butter Pecan Cookies
Before You Go
These Butterscotch Reeses Pudding Cookies are not just any cookies; they are an experience! The flavor combination of butterscotch and peanut butter is simply divine, and the pudding mix ensures a soft and chewy texture that will have everyone reaching for seconds. Whether you enjoy them fresh out of the oven or stored away for later, these cookies are bound to become a favorite in your baking repertoire.
So, gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and get ready to indulge in the most delightful cookies you’ve ever made. Happy baking!

Butterscotch Reeses Pudding Cookies
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup butter softened
- 1/2 cup applesauce or 1-4 ounce single serve package
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 package butterscotch instant pudding (3.4 ounces)
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups mini Reeses Peanut Butter Cups chopped
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened butter, applesauce, brown sugar, and granulated sugar. Beat until creamy.
- Add in the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Then add the vanilla extract.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the butterscotch pudding mix, baking soda, and flour. Gradually add to the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined.
- Gently fold in the chopped mini Reeses Peanut Butter Cups.
- Drop dollops of dough onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, spacing them a couple of inches apart. Bake for 10-12 minutes.
- Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a cooling rack.
Equipment
- Mixing Bowls
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Spatula
- Baking Sheet
- Parchment Paper
- Cooling rack
Notes
- For a dairy-free option, use dairy-free butter or coconut oil.
- Substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend if needed.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.
