Hey y’all! If you love that classic combo of chocolate and peanut butter, these Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies are about to become your new obsession. They’re gloriously soft, perfectly chewy, and packed with rich, nutty flavor—making them the ultimate treat for parties, bake sales, lunch boxes, or just a cozy night at home. Grab your mixing bowl and let’s get cooking!
Why You’ll Love This Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe
- Soft and chewy texture with a decadent chocolatey finish.
- Perfect balance of sweet chocolate and creamy peanut butter in every bite.
- Quick and easy to make—ready in under 30 minutes!
- Freezes beautifully for make-ahead treats.
- Ideal for sharing at parties, gifting, or satisfying your own sweet tooth.
Ingredients for Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies
- 1 cup (240g) creamy peanut butter
- 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup (100g) packed brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 1/4 cups (160g) all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup (40g) unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 cup (175g) semisweet chocolate chips
How to Make Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies
Step 1: Prep Your Baking Equipment
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats for easy cleanup.
Step 2: Cream Butter, Peanut Butter & Sugars
In a large mixing bowl, beat together the peanut butter, softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy—about 2-3 minutes using an electric mixer.
Step 3: Add Eggs & Vanilla
Beat in the eggs one at a time, then mix in the vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined.
Step 5: Fold in Chocolate Chips
Stir in the semisweet chocolate chips by hand for an extra burst of chocolatey goodness.
Step 6: Scoop & Bake
Using a medium cookie scoop or tablespoon, drop dough balls about 2 inches apart onto the prepared baking sheets. Bake for 10-12 minutes, until the edges are set but the centers look slightly soft.
Step 7: Cool & Enjoy
Let your Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. Enjoy warm or at room temperature!
Notes for the Best Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies
- Use creamy peanut butter for the smoothest results; natural peanut butter may make the dough crumbly.
- Don’t overbake! The cookies will firm up as they cool, so take them out when just set in the center.
- For more baking tips, check out King Arthur Baking’s cookie tips.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookie Variations
- Chunky Style: Swap in crunchy peanut butter for extra texture.
- Gluten-Free: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. See more on Bob’s Red Mill.
- Peanut Butter Cup Surprise: Press a mini peanut butter cup into each cookie right after baking for a gooey center.
Required Equipment for Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies
- Electric mixer (hand or stand)
- 2 large mixing bowls
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Parchment paper or silicone baking mats
- Cookie scoop or tablespoon
- Baking sheets
- Wire rack
Storage Instructions for Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies
Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For longer storage, freeze cookies for up to 3 months—just thaw at room temp before serving.
Pairings & Serving Recommendations
- Pair with a tall glass of cold milk or hot cocoa for ultimate comfort.
- Serve alongside vanilla ice cream for an indulgent dessert.
- Crush cookies and sprinkle over yogurt for a sweet snack.
Pro Tips for Perfect Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies
- Let cookie dough chill for 30 minutes for thicker, chewier cookies.
- Use a cookie scoop for evenly sized and perfectly baked cookies every time.
- Swap in dark chocolate chips for a richer flavor. Explore more about chocolate types at Serious Eats.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies FAQ
- Can I use natural peanut butter?
- Natural peanut butter can be used, but may result in a more crumbly texture—make sure it’s well-stirred and smooth.
- Can I freeze the cookie dough?
- Absolutely! Scoop dough onto a baking sheet, freeze, then store in a zip-top bag. Bake straight from frozen with an extra 1-2 minutes added to the baking time.
- How do I know when the cookies are done?
- The edges should look set and the centers just slightly soft—they’ll continue to bake on the sheet after removal from the oven.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Total Time: 22 minutes
Yield: 24 cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
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1Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
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2In a large bowl, cream together the peanut butter, unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
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3Beat in the eggs one at a time, then mix in the vanilla extract.
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4In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined.
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5Fold in the chocolate chips. Scoop tablespoon-sized balls of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
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6Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are set. Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Approximate Information for One Serving
Nutrition Disclaimers
Number of total servings shown is approximate. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.
Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed, not including any optional ingredients. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.
To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by the desired number of servings. Result will be the weight of one serving.
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