If you are craving a sweet treat, then look no further! This Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe will satisfy your taste buds and warm your heart. These cookies combine the rich flavors of chocolate and peanut butter in a way that makes them hard to resist. Let’s dive into making this delightful dessert.
Ingredients You’ll Need
To create these delicious cookies, gather the following ingredients:
- 1 cup melted butter
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup Ghirardelli unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
- 2 packages peanut butter chips (11 ounces each)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Prepping Your Oven and Baking Sheet
- Preheat Your Oven: Heat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius).
- Prepare Your Baking Sheet: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set it aside.
Mixing the Cookie Dough
- Blend the Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, combine the melted butter and brown sugar. Mix thoroughly until the mixture is well blended.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Crack in the two large eggs and add the vanilla extract. Stir until fully combined, ensuring a smooth consistency.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Add the flour, cocoa powder, kosher salt, and baking soda to the bowl. Mix together just until the dry ingredients are incorporated. Over-mixing can lead to tougher cookies.
- Fold in Peanut Butter Chips: Gently fold in all but half a cup of the peanut butter chips, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the dough. If you prefer, you can chill the dough for about an hour to enhance the flavors and make it easier to handle.
Shaping and Baking the Cookies
- Scoop the Dough: Using a 2-tablespoon cookie scoop, drop the dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing each blob about two inches apart.
- Add Extra Peanut Butter Chips: Take the reserved peanut butter chips and press 5 or 6 into the top of each cookie dough mound, creating an appealing finish.
- Bake: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 10 to 12 minutes. The cookies will appear slightly underbaked but should not be runny.
- Cool: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 to 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Pro Tips and Variations
- Chill the Dough: Chilling the cookie dough for an hour gives the flavors more time to meld and can help the cookies hold their shape better during baking.
- Nutty Twist: For a nutty flavor, add chopped peanuts or walnuts into the dough along with the peanut butter chips.
- Chocolate Lovers: Substitute some of the peanut butter chips with chocolate chips for an even richer chocolate experience.
- Storage: Keep your cookies fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. You can also freeze them for up to three months—just make sure to separate layers with parchment paper.
Serving Suggestions
Pair these Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies with a glass of cold milk for a delightful treat. They’re also perfect for gatherings, school lunches, or simply to enjoy during a cozy evening at home. Share with family and friends, or enjoy them all to yourself; no one will judge!
Conclusion
With this Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe, you have the perfect blend of flavors that brings comfort and joy. It’s a straightforward recipe that even beginner bakers can master. So gather your ingredients, roll up your sleeves, and enjoy baking these irresistible treats!
FAQs
Q: Can I use natural peanut butter in this recipe?
A: While you can use natural peanut butter, it may affect the texture. Creamy peanut butter works best for a consistent cookie dough.
Q: How can I ensure my cookies don’t spread too much?
A: Chilling the dough for an hour before baking can help maintain the shape of the cookies.
Q: Can I use other types of chips?
A: Absolutely! Feel free to experiment with butterscotch, caramel, or dark chocolate chips if you want to try different flavors.
Q: How do I know when the cookies are done baking?
A: The edges of the cookies should look set while the centers will look slightly underbaked. They will continue to cook on the baking sheet even after you take them out of the oven.
Enjoy creating and savoring these delectable Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies! Happy baking!
Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius).
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set it aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the melted butter and brown sugar. Mix thoroughly until well blended.
- Add the two large eggs and vanilla extract. Stir until fully combined for a smooth consistency.
- Incorporate the flour, cocoa powder, kosher salt, and baking soda. Mix until dry ingredients are incorporated; avoid over-mixing.
- Gently fold in all but half a cup of the peanut butter chips until evenly distributed.
- Optional: Chill the dough for about an hour to enhance flavors and ease handling.
- Using a 2-tablespoon cookie scoop, drop dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing about two inches apart.
- Press 5 or 6 reserved peanut butter chips into the top of each cookie dough mound.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes; cookies will be slightly underbaked but not runny.
- Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 to 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
