Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe
These Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies combine rich peanut butter with sweet semi-sweet chocolate chips for a soft, chewy cookie with a slightly crisp edge. Perfectly balanced in flavor and texture, they’re easy to make with simple pantry ingredients and bake to perfection in the oven, making a delightful treat for peanut butter and chocolate lovers alike.
- Author: Logan
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 14-15 minutes per batch
- Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes (including chilling)
- Yield: About 24 large cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Dry Ingredients
- 2 and 1/2 cups (313g) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup (16 Tbsp; 226g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup (150g) packed light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- 2 cups (500g) creamy peanut butter
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
Add-ins and Optional
- 2 cups (360g) semi-sweet chocolate chips
- Optional: 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar for rolling
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until well combined. Set this mixture aside for later use.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: Using a hand mixer or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream the softened unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and light brown sugar together on medium speed until the mixture is smooth and fluffy, which should take about 3 minutes.
- Add Eggs, Peanut Butter, and Vanilla: Add the eggs one at a time, beating on high speed until fully incorporated, approximately 1 minute. Scrape down the bowl to ensure everything is mixed evenly. Then, add the creamy peanut butter and pure vanilla extract, beating on high speed until combined.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: With the mixer on low speed, slowly add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients. Mix just until combined to avoid overworking the dough.
- Fold in Chocolate Chips: While the mixer runs on low speed, add the semi-sweet chocolate chips to the dough. The dough will be thick and soft at this stage.
- Chill the Dough: Cover the cookie dough and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, and up to 3 days. If chilling for longer than a few hours, allow the dough to sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes before scooping to allow easier handling and better spreading during baking.
- Prepare Baking Sheets and Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Line large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats to prevent sticking and promote even baking.
- Form and Prepare Cookie Dough Balls: Scoop the dough into large balls of about 3 tablespoons (approximately 60g) each. Optionally, roll each ball in granulated sugar to add a slight crunch and sweetness to the exterior. Arrange 8 dough balls per baking sheet and gently press each ball down slightly to flatten.
- Bake the Cookies: Bake for 14 to 15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly browned and set, while the centers remain soft. Avoid overbaking to maintain a chewy texture.
- Cool and Finish Cookies: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes. Optionally, press a few additional chocolate chips on top of the warm cookies for an attractive finish. Then transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely. Note that they will deflate slightly as they cool.
- Storage: Store any leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week to maintain freshness.
Notes
- For best flavor and texture, use room temperature ingredients, especially the butter and eggs.
- Chilling the dough helps control spreading during baking and deepens the flavor.
- Rolling the dough balls in granulated sugar before baking is optional but gives an attractive crunch and shine.
- Cookie size is large (about 3 tablespoons dough each); adjust for smaller cookies but reduce baking time slightly.
- Use creamy peanut butter for smooth texture; natural peanut butter with oil separation may alter dough consistency.
- Cookies will deflate slightly after baking; this is normal and part of their signature soft and chewy texture.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature to keep them soft and fresh.
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