Is there anything more irresistible than Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies? These morsels are the perfect marriage of creamy peanut butter and melty chocolate, wrapped up in a chewy, golden cookie that’s bound to disappear in minutes. Whether you love a classic after-school treat, a midnight snack, or need a bake sale showstopper, this recipe delivers cookies so good you’ll want to guard the cookie jar. Warm, nostalgic, and filled with the best duo in baking, let’s get started on this pantry-friendly favorite!
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe keeps things delightfully simple, relying on everyday staples that work together to create contrasting notes of salty, sweet, and rich. Each ingredient has a role, from texture to flavor, and little tweaks can personalize these Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies to perfection.
- Creamy Peanut Butter: The star ingredient offers that unmistakable peanutty depth and a soft, chewy texture.
- Unsalted Butter (softened): Helps make the cookies rich and keeps them tender — always use softened for best blending.
- Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and gives that classic cookie crunch along the edges.
- Brown Sugar (packed): Provides extra moisture and a subtle caramel flavor; don’t forget to pack it for accuracy!
- Large Egg: Binds everything together and brings structure for a perfect cookie shape every time.
- Vanilla Extract: Rounds out flavors so everything tastes cozy, warm, and just a bit more homemade.
- All-Purpose Flour: The foundation of the dough — scoop and level for best results.
- Baking Soda: Gives that little lift, resulting in a soft, cakey crumb.
- Salt: Don’t skip it! Salt balances the sweetness, making each bite sing.
- Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: The chocolatey finishing touch that pairs so beautifully with peanut butter.
How to Make Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
Step 1: Prep the Oven and Baking Sheets
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining your baking sheets with parchment paper. This ensures easy cookie removal and even baking — and trust me, your cleanup will be a breeze!
Step 2: Cream Butters and Sugars
In a large mixing bowl, combine the creamy peanut butter, softened unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Beat until the mixture is smooth, fluffy, and everything looks deliciously blended. This step is essential: proper creaming is what gives Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies their signature soft centers and crackly tops.
Step 3: Add Egg and Vanilla
Crack in your egg and pour in the vanilla extract, beating until the mixture becomes glossy and homogenous. The egg helps bind everything together, while vanilla adds a subtle flavor boost you don’t want to miss.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. This step helps distribute leaveners and salt evenly throughout the flour, so each cookie bakes up just right.
Step 5: Mix Wet and Dry Together
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the peanut butter mixture, mixing slowly until just combined — don’t overmix or you’ll lose that perfect, tender bite.
Step 6: Fold in Chocolate Chips
Gently fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips, ensuring they’re evenly distributed throughout your dough. Every spoonful should promise a good dose of chocolate in each bite!
Step 7: Shape and Bake
Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto your prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for delicious spreading. Bake for 10–12 minutes, keeping an eye out for those golden edges. The aroma will let everyone know Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies are on the way!
Step 8: Cool and Enjoy
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This helps them set up just right for that chewy-meets-tender texture. Once cooled, enjoy warm or at room temp!
How to Serve Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
Garnishes
You can make your cookies extra special with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt while they’re still warm or a light dusting of powdered sugar for a festive touch. For chocolate lovers, a quick drizzle of melted chocolate makes a stunning finish.
Side Dishes
Pair your Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies with an ice-cold glass of milk, a creamy latte, or even a scoop of vanilla ice cream. They’re perfect as part of a dessert platter with fresh berries, nuts, and mini brownies for a crowd-pleasing treat.
Creative Ways to Present
Layer the cookies in a clear jar as a thoughtful homemade gift, tie them up in a cellophane bag with a ribbon, or arrange them on a pretty cake stand for parties. You can even sandwich a scoop of ice cream between two cookies for the ultimate indulgence!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any extras in an airtight container at room temperature — they’ll stay soft and delicious for up to five days. If your kitchen is particularly warm, tucking in a slice of bread can help maintain that perfect chewiness.
Freezing
These cookies freeze beautifully! Arrange cooled Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies in layers with parchment between them in a freezer-safe container; they’ll last up to three months. Or, freeze dough balls for easy, fresh-baked cookies anytime the craving strikes.
Reheating
If you love warm cookies, pop a couple in the microwave for about 10 seconds. The chocolate chips melt just enough and the centers go irresistibly gooey — just how homemade Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies should be savored.
FAQs
Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead?
Absolutely! Crunchy peanut butter will add bits of nutty texture to each bite, making your cookies hearty and fun to eat. Just swap it 1:1 for creamy peanut butter.
How do I make these cookies softer or chewier?
Slightly underbake the cookies and let them cool on the hot baking sheet for that ultra-chewy, soft-center experience. The residual heat works its magic as they set up.
Can I make the dough in advance?
Yes, you can! Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies dough can be made ahead and stored covered in the fridge for up to 2 days. Let it come to room temperature before scooping for even baking.
What if I don’t have unsalted butter?
If you only have salted butter, go ahead and use it — just reduce the added salt in the recipe by half to keep the flavor balanced.
Why do my cookies come out flat?
Flat cookies often happen if the butter is too warm or the dough is overmixed. Try chilling your dough for 20–30 minutes before baking for thicker, chewier Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies.
Final Thoughts
I promise, these Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies are sure to win hearts every time you bake them. They’re easy enough for a casual afternoon, special enough for sharing, and utterly delicious straight from the oven. Give them a try and see how quickly they earn a place in your regular rotation!
Print
Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the perfect combination of creamy peanut butter and rich chocolate chips with these chewy and delicious Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies. These cookies are easy to make and are sure to become a family favorite in no time!
Ingredients
Cookie Dough:
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar (packed)
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, cream together peanut butter, softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until smooth. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined.
- Add Chocolate Chips: Fold in chocolate chips.
- Bake: Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto prepared baking sheets. Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until edges are lightly golden.
- Cool: Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- For chewier cookies, slightly underbake and let cool on the baking sheet.
- You can substitute crunchy peanut butter for a bit of texture.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 160
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 100 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg
