Description
Indulgent chocolate peanut butter cookies blend rich cocoa with creamy peanut butter for an irresistible treat. Crisp edges and gooey centers invite you to savor each delectable bite of pure comfort.
Ingredients
Scale
Wet Ingredients:
- ½ cup (115 g / 4 ounces) unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup (120 g) creamy peanut butter
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Dry Base Ingredients:
- 1 cup (125 g) all-purpose flour
- ⅓ cup (40 g) unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Sugars:
- ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
- ½ cup (100 g) brown sugar, packed
Optional Mix-ins and Toppings:
- ½ cup (90 g) chocolate chips
- ½ cup (90 g) peanut butter chips
- Flaky sea salt (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the baking environment by heating the oven to 350F (175C) and lining two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats for optimal cookie release.
- Create a creamy base by vigorously blending butter, peanut butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar in a large mixing bowl until the mixture becomes light and airy, approximately 2-3 minutes of consistent whisking.
- Enhance the flavor profile by incorporating a single egg and vanilla extract, mixing thoroughly until the ingredients are completely integrated.
- Develop the dry component by carefully whisking flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt in a separate bowl, ensuring even distribution of all powdery ingredients.
- Merge wet and dry mixtures by slowly introducing the dry ingredients into the creamy base, stirring gently until just combined. Delicately fold in chocolate or peanut butter chips if desired.
- Form uniform cookie portions by scooping tablespoon-sized dough balls and rolling them into smooth spheres, positioning them strategically on prepared baking sheets with approximately 2 inches of spacing between each.
- Create decorative texture by gently pressing a fork into each dough ball, producing a classic crisscross pattern that adds visual appeal and characteristic cookie appearance.
- Bake the cookies for 8-10 minutes, watching carefully to achieve perfectly set edges while maintaining a slightly soft center – a crucial technique for achieving ideal cookie consistency.
- Allow cookies to rest on baking sheets for 5 minutes to stabilize their structure, then transfer to a wire cooling rack to complete the cooling process and develop their final texture.
Notes
- Swap peanut butter with almond or sunflower seed butter for nut-free alternatives that maintain the rich, creamy texture.
- Reduce sugar content by using monk fruit sweetener or stevia for a low-carb, diabetic-friendly version without compromising taste.
- Ensure ingredients are at room temperature to create smoother, more evenly mixed cookie dough that bakes consistently.
- Chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking to prevent excessive spreading and create thicker, more structured cookies with deeper flavor development.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 24
- Calories: 182
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 105 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg