If you have a soft spot for the perfect balance between nutty and sweet, you are going to fall head over heels for this Dark Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe. These cookies bring together rich peanut butter and intense dark chocolate chips for a chewy, melt-in-your-mouth treat that feels like a warm hug from your oven. Whether you’re an experienced baker or just looking for a new favorite cookie to whip up, this recipe is straightforward and yields a batch full of irresistible deliciousness every time.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering the ingredients for this recipe is refreshingly simple, and each one plays a vital role in creating the cookies’ unique flavor and texture. From the velvety peanut butter to the luscious dark chocolate chips, every component works together harmoniously.
- 1 2/3 cups all purpose flour: The essential base that gives the cookie structure and that perfect chewy bite.
- 1 teaspoon baking powder: Helps your cookies rise slightly to a tender, soft texture.
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda: Works with baking powder to ensure a nice lift and a bit of crispness on the edges.
- 1/4 teaspoon salt: Balances sweetness and enhances all the flavors.
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar: Adds a delicate sweetness and contributes to the soft crumb of the cookie.
- 1/2 cup dark brown sugar: Brings moisture and a subtle molasses flavor that complements peanut butter beautifully.
- 1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks), room temperature: The rich fat that makes these cookies tender and buttery, so make sure it’s soft but still firm.
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter: The star that infuses each bite with that unmistakable nutty goodness.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Adds warmth and depth, creating a lovely aroma.
- 1 egg: Binds everything together and contributes to the deliciously chewy texture.
- 1 cup dark chocolate chips: Offers that beautifully bittersweet pop in every bite, perfectly balancing the peanut butter’s richness.
How to Make Dark Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Dry Ingredients
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F so it’s ready when the dough is done. In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. This ensures your dry ingredients are evenly combined, giving your cookies a consistent rise and texture.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugars
In a separate bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the powdered sugar, brown sugar, and unsalted butter until the mixture becomes smooth and creamy. Pro tip: Using butter that’s at room temperature but still holds its shape helps to create that perfect texture. This step is where the magic starts – the sugars dissolve slightly into the creamy butter, preparing your dough for a perfectly tender crumb.
Step 3: Add Peanut Butter, Vanilla, and Egg
Mix in the creamy peanut butter, vanilla extract, and egg to your creamed butter and sugars until everything is well incorporated and silky smooth. The peanut butter will add richness and a lovely nutty flavor that’s the soul of this recipe. Make sure everything blends evenly to get the best texture throughout.
Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Slowly mix the dry ingredient mixture into your peanut butter mixture, stirring just until combined. The dough will feel a bit tough and dense, which is exactly what you want for chewy cookies. Once the flour is in, fold in the dark chocolate chips. These gems offer bursts of bittersweet chocolate in every bite—a signature touch for this recipe.
Step 5: Shape and Bake
Drop spoonfuls of cookie dough onto an ungreased baking sheet with about 1 1/2 inches between each. You can leave your cookies rounded or gently flatten them with the back of the spoon if you prefer a less puffy cookie. Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 12 minutes—watch closely to avoid over-baking, since you want the cookies golden but soft, not browned.
How to Serve Dark Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
While these cookies shine on their own, a light dusting of powdered sugar or a sprinkle of flaky sea salt right out of the oven can elevate the flavors to another level. The salt, in particular, enhances the chocolate’s richness and the peanut butter’s nuttiness, creating a perfect taste balance.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair wonderfully with a cold glass of milk, but if you want to get creative, try serving them alongside a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream for a decadent treat. A cup of coffee or hot chocolate also makes a great companion, amplifying the warmth and comfort of each bite.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, arrange the Dark Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe in a dessert platter with fresh berries and nuts, or sandwich two cookies around a scoop of ice cream for homemade cookie ice cream sandwiches. Wrapping them individually in cute parchment paper tied with twine also makes for a wonderful homemade gift that everyone will love.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, store your cookies in an airtight container at room temperature to keep them soft and chewy for several days. If you want to maintain that “just-baked” texture, separate layers with parchment paper to avoid sticking.
Freezing
You can freeze the cookie dough balls or the baked cookies. For dough, portion into balls and freeze on a tray before transferring to a freezer bag for up to 3 months. For baked cookies, wrap tightly in plastic wrap and place in a freezer-safe container. This makes it easy to enjoy fresh cookies anytime without starting from scratch.
Reheating
To bring frozen or stored cookies back to that warm, gooey texture, pop them in a 300°F oven for about 5 minutes or microwave for 10-15 seconds. This quick reheating makes them taste freshly baked and delicious every time.
FAQs
Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy?
Absolutely! Using crunchy peanut butter will add delightful texture with little peanut bits throughout the cookies. It’s a nice twist if you love extra crunch.
Is it okay to substitute semi-sweet chocolate chips instead of dark chocolate?
Yes, semi-sweet chips work perfectly if you prefer a sweeter chocolate flavor. Dark chocolate gives a richer, more intense contrast, but semi-sweet is a fine alternative.
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
With a suitable gluten-free flour blend, you can adapt this recipe to be gluten-free. Just ensure the blend has xanthan gum or a binding agent to mimic the texture of all-purpose flour.
How do I know when the cookies are done baking?
The cookies should look set and just beginning to turn golden around the edges after 12 minutes. The centers will still look slightly soft, but they firm up as they cool, ensuring chewy perfection.
Can I double the recipe for a larger batch?
Definitely! This recipe scales well. Just be sure to mix thoroughly without overworking the dough, and bake in batches so the cookies have enough space to bake evenly.
Final Thoughts
There is something truly special about the combination of rich peanut butter and dark chocolate, and this Dark Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe captures that magic perfectly. It’s an easy, comforting recipe that never fails to bring smiles and happy crumbs. So go ahead, treat yourself and your loved ones—you won’t regret baking this batch of joy.
Print
Dark Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 32 cookies
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Dark Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Cookies are rich, chewy, and packed with peanut butter flavor and semi-sweet chocolate chips for the perfect sweet treat. Soft on the inside with just a slight crisp on the edges, they’re quick to prepare and perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1 2/3 cups all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup dark brown sugar
- 1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks), room temperature
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 egg
Add-ins
- 1 cup dark chocolate chips (or semi-sweet chocolate chips)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it’s at the right temperature when you’re ready to bake the cookies.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until combined. This ensures even distribution of leavening agents and salt throughout the dough.
- Cream Sugars and Butter: In a separate mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the powdered sugar, dark brown sugar, and unsalted butter (at room temperature but still firm) until the mixture is light and creamy.
- Add Peanut Butter, Vanilla, and Egg: Continue mixing the peanut butter, vanilla extract, and egg into the creamed sugar and butter mixture until well incorporated and creamy.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry flour mixture into the peanut butter mixture. Mix just until all ingredients are combined. The dough should be somewhat stiff due to the room-temperature butter.
- Stir in Chocolate Chips: Fold the dark chocolate chips into the cookie dough evenly.
- Prepare for Baking: Drop spoonfuls of cookie dough onto an ungreased baking sheet, spacing the cookies about 1 1/2 inches apart. You can bake the cookies as rounded balls or slightly flatten them with your hand or spatula before baking.
- Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for approximately 12 minutes. Avoid over-baking; the cookies should be soft and not browned heavily.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- Use room temperature butter that holds its shape for best texture.
- Do not overbake cookies to keep them soft and chewy.
- You can substitute semi-sweet chocolate chips if preferred.
- Spacing cookies appropriately prevents them from merging during baking.
- Flattening the dough balls slightly before baking results in a more uniform cookie shape.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
