Introduction
Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies are a classic treat that everyone loves. They are the perfect combination of sweet and salty, and the perfect way to satisfy your sweet tooth. These cookies are easy to make and can be enjoyed by everyone. Whether you are a beginner baker or an experienced one, these cookies are sure to be a hit. With the combination of creamy peanut butter and rich chocolate chips, these cookies are sure to be a crowd pleaser. So, grab your ingredients and let’s get baking!
Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
Peanut butter and chocolate are a classic combination that never gets old. These Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies are the perfect way to enjoy this classic flavor combination. Soft and chewy, these cookies are loaded with peanut butter and chocolate chips for a delicious treat.
To make these cookies, start by creaming together butter and peanut butter until light and fluffy. Then add in the sugars and mix until combined. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until combined. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until just combined. Finally, fold in the chocolate chips.
Drop the cookie dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy these Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies with a glass of cold milk.
These delicious peanut butter chocolate chip cookies add a nutty flavor to a classic sweet treat! Creamy peanut butter and chopped pieces enhance the taste. The soft and chewy centers and crisp, buttery edges are perfect for dunking into a glass of milk!
For more amazing treats, give my sugar cookies or m&m cookie recipes a try.
Table of Contents
It isn’t easy to choose between peanut butter cookies and chocolate chip cookies. Why not have both? This peanut butter chocolate chip cookie recipe combines iconic flavors for the ultimate experience! I use two types of peanuts, so each bite bursts with nutty notes, complementing the melty cocoa-infused chips.
The cookie dough base is made using brown butter. Taking a few extra minutes to toast the milk solids in the butter creates butterscotch flavors to complement the chocolate and nuts. The delightful crunchy edges of the cookie complement the dense and chewy centers. These are great for making ahead and serving warm or giving as a tasty holiday gift.
Prepare the dry ingredients
All-purpose flour gives the cookie a slightly chewy texture and thick structure. Baking soda is added to leaven the cookie, accelerate browning, and yield crisp edges. Whisk the ingredients together to disperse the fine particles together. This will ensure it’s evenly incorporated when mixing with the wet ingredients.
Brown the butter
Melt pieces of unsalted butter on the stovetop until the milk solids become golden brown and toasted. The process takes less than 5 minutes and completely transforms the flavor, so don’t skip it! This creates a sweet aroma and adds toffee-like flavors to the cookie dough.
Stir a few tablespoons of cool butter into the warm brown butter to stop the cooking process. Once the milk solids turn golden, they will char quickly if not closely monitored.
Cream the sugar in the butter
Use the whisk attachment on a stand mixer to dissolve the brown sugar and granulated sugar in with the warm brown butter. This breaks down the sugar into simple monosaccharides, glucose, and fructose. These simple sugars carmelize much quicker in the oven, adding a sweetener flavor to the cookies during the short baking time.
Properly mix in the eggs
This recipe uses a unique whisking and resting technique when incorporating the eggs into the butter mixture. The eggs are briefly whisked in, and then the mixture rests for three minutes. This gives the sugars time to dissolve in the eggs’ moisture fully.
This process repeats a total of four times. This also helps to create a better emulsion with the butter fat and lecithin (an emulsifier) in the eggs. The mixture should be thick and shiny.
Use creamy peanut butter
I use creamy peanut butter because the smooth texture easily incorporates into the cookie dough. If you enjoy bits of nuts in the dough, use chunky peanut butter. I’ve even used natural peanut butter and homemade peanut butter. These will give a slightly drier texture because they don’t contain added vegetable oils. Whisk it into the butter mixture until just incorporated.
Make the cookie dough
Add the flour mixture to the peanut butter mixture. Use a spatula to stir by hand, folding until the flour is hydrated. This will give a soft and chewy texture, with just enough gluten development so that the cookies don’t become tough.
Stir in the chocolate chips and chopped peanuts. I prefer semi-sweet chocolate chips, but dark or milk is also delicious. The little nutty bites enhance the peanut butter flavor.
Chill the dough
Briefly chill the dough in the refrigerator or freezer for about 15 minutes. This helps firm up the butter and fat in the peanut butter to prevent the cookies from overly spreading. The dough should reach between 65 to 70ºF (18 to 21ºC). When it doesn’t feel excessively sticky, that’s a good indication the flour has been fully hydrated and ready to shape.
Portion the dough
Measure out 3 tablespoon-sized dough balls. Press them into 3/4-inch flattened discs. The cookie dough won’t spread as much as typical chocolate chip cookies due to the additional solids from the ground peanuts.
They need to be flattened, or they will stay very thick and tall. Press some chocolate chips on top to expose more pieces.
Bake time
Place the dough balls on baking sheets lined with parchment paper, eight per tray. Bake one pan at a time at 375 degrees; the edges should be set and the centers puffy and slightly underbaked, about 10 to 12 minutes.
Let it sit on the warm baking sheet for no more than 5 minutes to finish cooking, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool. The chocolate chip peanut butter cookies taste delicious at room temperature when the sugars crystallize on the surface for extra crispness.
Try more chocolate chip cookies
Frequently asked questions
The pureed nut is naturally dry to taste due to the protein and fat in the peanut butter, creating a pasty texture. Using the proper ratio of butter, sugar, and eggs in the cookie dough prevents a dry and crumbly consistency. The extra fat in the nut butter will make the cookies crispier, so don’t let it sit on the warm cookie tray for longer than 5 minutes. Otherwise, it will get too crunchy and taste drier.
Almond butter or cashew butter are delicious substitutes for peanut butter. The cookies may taste slightly drier because they contain less fat than peanuts.
What brand of peanut butter is best for cookies
Creamy peanut butter like Skippy or Jif creates the best texture. It’s been processed until very smooth. The added hydrogenated vegetable oils prevent the fat from separating when baked. This gives a more even consistency and prevents the cookie texture from tasting dry. If you like pieces of nuts in the cookies, use chunky peanut butter, or stir in some chopped peanuts.
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Mix the Dry Ingredients – In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour and baking soda. Set aside.
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Melt the Butter – Cut the butter into 14 even-sized pieces. In a skillet, melt 10 tablespoons over medium heat for about 2 minutes. Continue cooking, swirling the pan constantly until golden brown and a nutty aroma forms, 1 to 3 minutes. Remove the skillet from heat. Stir in the remaining 4 tablespoons of butter until completely melted.
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Mix the Butter and Sugars – In a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, add the melted butter to the mixing bowl. Add the granulated sugar, brown sugar, salt, and vanilla. Whisk on medium speed (setting 5) until combined, 30 seconds.
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Whisk and Rest – Add the whole egg and yolk. Whisk on medium-high speed (setting 8) until smooth with no sugar lumps remaining, about 30 seconds. Let the mixture stand for 3 minutes. Repeat the whisking and resting process 3 more times: 30 seconds mixing at medium-high speed and 3 minutes of rest. After four total times, the mixture should be thick, smooth, and shiny.
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Add the Peanut Butter – Whisk in the peanut butter on low speed (setting 2) until just combined, about 30 seconds.
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Add the Flour and Mix-ins – Using a rubber spatula or wooden spoon, stir in the flour mixture until just combined, about 1 minute. Stir in 1 ¼ cups of chocolate chips and chopped peanuts, giving the dough a final stir to ensure no flour pockets remain.
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Chill the Dough – Cover the mixing bowl with plastic wrap and transfer it to the refrigerator or freezer. Chill until the dough firms up, around 65 to 70ºF (18 to 21ºC), about 15 minutes.
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Preheat the Oven – Adjust the oven rack to the middle position. Heat to 350°F (177ºC). Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper.
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Roll Out Dough Balls – Divide the dough into 18 portions, each about 3 tablespoons. Firmly press the dough into balls. Arrange at least 2″ apart on lined baking sheets, 9 per tray. Flatten the balls into ¾” discs. Press the sides together to create rounded edges. Use the remaining ¼ cup of chocolate chips to press some on top of the dough.
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Bake the Cookies – Bake one tray at a time for 5 minutes, then rotate the baking sheet. Continue baking until the edges are golden brown and the centers are just set, about 5 to 7 minutes.
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Let Them Cool – Leave the cookies on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack. Cool completely to set the structure. Bake the remaining tray once the oven is back to temperature.
- Salt Substitution: Use ¾ teaspoon table salt for kosher salt.
- Make Ahead: Refrigerate dough balls for up to 1 week, or freeze for up to 2 months. Bring to room temperature before pressing and baking.
- Storing: Store cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Freezing: Store in a resealable plastic bag or airtight container for up to 1 month.
Nutrition Facts
Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
Amount Per Serving
Calories 336
Calories from Fat 189
% Daily Value*
Fat 21g32%
Saturated Fat 10g50%
Trans Fat 0.4g
Polyunsaturated Fat 2g
Monounsaturated Fat 7g
Cholesterol 35mg12%
Sodium 214mg9%
Potassium 187mg5%
Carbohydrates 34g11%
Fiber 2g8%
Sugar 21g23%
Protein 5g10%
Vitamin A 293IU6%
Calcium 30mg3%
Iron 2mg11%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.