Chocolate Peanut Butter Chip Cookies Recipe
There is something utterly irresistible about the combination of rich chocolate and creamy peanut butter, and this Chocolate Peanut Butter Chip Cookies Recipe perfectly captures that magic. These cookies are delightfully soft with just the right amount of chew, bursting with intense cocoa flavor and pockets of sweet peanut butter chips that melt in your mouth. Whether you’re baking for a cozy night in or surprising friends with a homemade treat, these cookies never fail to bring smiles and warm hugs in cookie form.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering simple, pantry-friendly ingredients is the secret to this recipe’s charm. Each element plays a crucial role in the cookie’s perfect flavor balance, crumbly texture, and irresistible color that makes every bite a little celebration.
- Unsalted butter (1 cup or 2 sticks): Softened for creamy, rich flavor and to create that tender cookie base.
- Granulated sugar (1 cup): Adds sweetness and helps achieve those crisp edges we all love.
- Brown sugar (1 cup, packed): Brings moisture and chewiness along with a subtle caramel undertone.
- Large eggs (2): Acts as a binding agent and adds richness for a satisfying texture.
- Vanilla extract (2 teaspoons): Enhances all the flavors and adds warmth to the cookie’s profile.
- All-purpose flour (2 cups): Provides structure while keeping the cookies soft and tender.
- Unsweetened cocoa powder (3/4 cup): Delivers deep chocolate flavor and beautiful dark color.
- Baking soda (1 teaspoon): Helps the cookies rise perfectly and keeps them light.
- Salt (1/2 teaspoon): Balances sweetness and enhances all the rich flavors.
- Peanut butter chips (1 1/2 cups): Little bursts of creamy peanut butter that make every bite memorable.
How to Make Chocolate Peanut Butter Chip Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
Start by preheating your oven to 175°C (350°F) and lining baking sheets with parchment paper. This ensures your cookies won’t stick and makes clean-up a breeze. Having the oven ready from the start helps you bake the cookies at the perfect temperature for ideal texture.
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and packed brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step is essential as it incorporates air into the dough, which results in lighter, perfectly textured cookies.
Step 3: Add the Eggs and Vanilla
Beat in the eggs one at a time, taking your time to make sure each is fully combined. Follow with the vanilla extract. These ingredients add moisture and enhance the complex flavors of chocolate and peanut butter in the cookies.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Sifting helps prevent lumps and ensures an even texture. Gradually add this dry mixture to your wet batter, mixing gently until everything is just combined—be careful not to overmix, or the cookies can become tough.
Step 5: Fold in the Peanut Butter Chips
Gently fold in the peanut butter chips, spreading those little pockets of joy throughout the dough. This last step adds the signature peanut butter burst that makes these cookies so special.
Step 6: Shape the Cookies
Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll them into balls. Place the cookie dough balls 2 inches apart on your prepared baking sheets; spacing allows the cookies to spread just right. Slightly flatten the tops with your palm or a spoon so they bake evenly and acquire that classic cookie shape.
Step 7: Bake to Perfection
Bake for 8-10 minutes or until the edges are set but the centers still look slightly soft. This timing is key—it means your cookies will be wonderfully chewy on the inside while having those coveted edges. After baking, let the cookies cool on the sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Patience here rewards you with the best texture.
How to Serve Chocolate Peanut Butter Chip Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
For an extra indulgent touch, sprinkle a pinch of flaky sea salt on top of warm cookies before they fully cool. It enhances the chocolate-peanut butter contrast beautifully. You can also drizzle melted chocolate or peanut butter on top for added flair and flavor.
Side Dishes
These cookies are fantastic served alongside a classic cold glass of milk, but don’t stop there. Pairing them with a scoop of vanilla or peanut butter ice cream elevates the experience to dessert heaven. A hot mug of coffee or a rich hot chocolate complements the cookies’ richness perfectly as well.
Creative Ways to Present
Make your Chocolate Peanut Butter Chip Cookies Recipe the star of any gathering by arranging them on a rustic wooden board or in a pretty tin with parchment paper. You can also sandwich two cookies with peanut butter frosting or chocolate ganache for a decadent treat that doubles the fun.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They should stay fresh and delicious for up to five days, giving you plenty of time to savor every last cookie without worry.
Freezing
You can freeze unbaked cookie dough balls by placing them on a baking sheet, freezing until solid, and then transferring to a zip-top bag. When ready to bake, just add an extra minute or two to the baking time. Baked cookies freeze well too; wrap them tightly and thaw at room temperature before enjoying.
Reheating
Warm leftover cookies in a microwave for about 10-15 seconds or in a preheated oven at 150°C (300°F) for 5 minutes. Reheating brings back that freshly baked softness and brings out the gooey peanut butter chips flavor all over again.
FAQs
Can I use peanut butter instead of peanut butter chips in this Chocolate Peanut Butter Chip Cookies Recipe?
Absolutely! If you don’t have peanut butter chips on hand, you can swirl in a few tablespoons of creamy peanut butter to the dough. This will create pockets of peanut butter flavor, though the texture will be a bit different from chips.
Can I substitute cocoa powder with melted chocolate?
While you can substitute cocoa powder with melted chocolate, it will change the dough’s consistency and sweetness. If doing so, reduce the fat and sugar in the recipe accordingly. Cocoa powder gives a more intense chocolate flavor and better cookie structure.
How do I make these cookies chewy instead of cakey?
For chewier cookies, make sure to not overbake them and use more brown sugar than granulated sugar, like this recipe suggests. Also, slightly underbake so the centers remain soft, which makes for a tender, chewy bite.
Can I make this recipe vegan?
To make this recipe vegan, use plant-based butter, flax or chia eggs, and vegan-friendly peanut butter chips. Keep in mind texture and flavor might vary slightly, but the result is still delicious.
How should I store these cookies if I bring them to a party?
Place the cookies in a sturdy airtight container, separated by parchment paper if stacking, to keep them from sticking together or breaking during transport. A cookie tin or disposable container with a secure lid works perfectly for sharing at gatherings.
Final Thoughts
This Chocolate Peanut Butter Chip Cookies Recipe is one of those truly timeless treats that feels like a warm hug from the inside out. Its rich chocolate depth combined with the creamy peanut butter chips makes for a perfect balance that’s hard to resist. I wholeheartedly encourage you to bake a batch and share a little sweetness with the people you love. Trust me—it’s pure joy baked into every cookie.
Print
Chocolate Peanut Butter Chip Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
Description
Deliciously rich Chocolate Peanut Butter Chip Cookies combining the deep flavor of cocoa with creamy peanut butter chips for a perfect sweet treat. These cookies offer a soft center with slightly crisp edges, ideal for cookie lovers craving a chocolate and peanut butter combination.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 cups peanut butter chips
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: Preheat your oven to 175°C (350°F) and line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, which helps create a tender cookie texture.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time to evenly incorporate them, then mix in the vanilla extract until well combined for added flavor depth.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. This ensures even distribution of ingredients and avoids lumps.
- Mix Dry and Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, folding gently and mixing until just combined to avoid overworking the dough.
- Fold in Peanut Butter Chips: Gently fold the peanut butter chips into the dough to evenly distribute the chips throughout the cookie.
- Shape the Cookies: Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll them into balls. Place them on the prepared baking sheets, spaced about 2 inches apart to prevent spreading and merging.
- Flatten the Tops: Slightly flatten each dough ball with the palm of your hand or the back of a spoon to help the cookies bake evenly and achieve the classic cookie shape.
- Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes until the edges are set but the centers remain slightly soft, ensuring a chewy texture.
- Cool: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to firm up, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely for best texture and flavor development.
Notes
- Ensure butter is softened at room temperature for easier creaming and better cookie texture.
- Do not overbake to maintain a soft and chewy center.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days for freshness.
- For a nuttier flavor, you may toast the peanut butter chips slightly before adding them to the dough.
- Chill dough for 30 minutes if you want thicker cookies.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
