Description
Delight in these chewy, rich Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies that combine the classic flavors of creamy peanut butter and natural cocoa powder. This easy-to-follow recipe yields soft cookies with a perfectly balanced sweetness and a tender, chewy texture perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Wet Ingredients
- ½ cup (113 g) butter
- ¾ cup (210 g) creamy peanut butter (commercial brands recommended for consistency)
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 large egg
Dry Ingredients
- 1 ¼ cups (163 g) all-purpose flour (fresh for best texture)
- ½ cup (42 g) cocoa powder (natural cocoa recommended)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 ¼ cups (250 g) light brown sugar
Instructions
- Preheat Your Oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) and let it fully heat to ensure even baking and chewy texture.
- Line Baking Sheets: Prepare two baking sheets by lining them with parchment paper for easy cleanup and to prevent sticking.
- Beat the Butters Together: In a large bowl, use an electric mixer at medium speed to beat the butter and creamy peanut butter until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Add Sugars, Milk, and Vanilla: Add light brown sugar, milk, and vanilla extract to the butter mixture. Continue beating at medium speed until the mixture is well combined and smooth.
- Incorporate the Egg: Add the egg to the mixture and beat just until combined, taking care not to overmix to maintain the cookie’s ideal texture.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate small bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, salt, and baking soda until evenly blended.
- Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the peanut butter mixture, mixing at low speed just until no dry flour remains, avoiding overmixing to keep the cookies tender.
- Scoop the Dough: Using a 1.5 tablespoon cookie scoop, portion the dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing each ball about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.
- Flatten Cookies: Gently press down each dough ball in a crisscross pattern with the tines of a fork.
- Bake Them Right: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 7 to 8 minutes until the edges are set but the centers look slightly underbaked to maintain softness and chewiness.
- Cool and Enjoy: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely, preserving their texture.
Notes
- For best texture, use fresh all-purpose flour.
- Natural cocoa powder is recommended to get a rich chocolate flavor.
- Avoid overbaking to keep the cookies soft and chewy.
- Use commercial creamy peanut butter for consistent texture and taste.
- Flattening the cookies with a fork creates a classic crisscross pattern and ensures even baking.
- Spacing dough balls properly allows cookies to spread without sticking.
