If you’re a fan of cookies that practically melt in your mouth, then these Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies will quickly become your new obsession. The perfect blend of creamy peanut butter and rich chocolate chips gives you the ultimate cookie experience — soft, thick, and full of nostalgic flavor. They’re slightly crisp around the edges and decadently soft in the center.
Perfect for after-school snacks, weekend baking therapy, or a sweet midnight indulgence, these cookies come together with simple pantry ingredients. Plus, you don’t even need a mixer! Whether you’re baking a batch for a holiday cookie swap or just because you deserve a treat, these are the cookies that everyone will ask you for the recipe.
Full Recipe:
Ingredients:
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1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
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1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
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1 cup brown sugar, packed
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1/4 cup granulated sugar
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1 large egg
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2 teaspoons vanilla extract
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1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
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1/2 teaspoon baking soda
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1/4 teaspoon salt
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1 1/4 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
Directions:
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In a large mixing bowl, combine melted butter, peanut butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar. Mix until smooth.
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Add in the egg and vanilla extract. Stir until fully incorporated.
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In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt.
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Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and stir until just combined.
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Fold in the chocolate chips evenly.
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Cover the dough and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
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Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
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Scoop 1.5 tablespoon-sized balls of dough and place them on the baking sheet, spaced apart.
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Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden and the centers look slightly underbaked.
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Let cookies cool on the sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 12 minutes | Total Time: 27 minutes
Kcal: 230 kcal | Servings: 20 cookies
Why You’ll Love These Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
There’s something incredibly nostalgic about biting into a warm, soft peanut butter chocolate chip cookie. It hits all the right notes: sweet, salty, chewy, and chocolatey. Whether you’re a longtime lover of peanut butter treats or just discovering how well it pairs with chocolate, this recipe is going to become a staple in your baking rotation. These cookies are the perfect marriage between the nutty richness of peanut butter and the indulgent sweetness of melty chocolate chips. It’s a flavor combo that’s been beloved for generations and for good reason.
What sets these cookies apart is their soft and gooey texture, achieved through the careful balance of ingredients. The dough is rich and thick, thanks to the perfect amount of peanut butter and brown sugar, while the melted butter brings a deep flavor and luxurious texture to every bite. Whether you enjoy them fresh out of the oven or cooled with a glass of cold milk, each cookie delivers maximum satisfaction.
The Flavor & Texture Breakdown
Let’s talk flavor first. These cookies are nutty, buttery, and just the right amount of sweet. The peanut butter comes through boldly but doesn’t overpower. The chocolate chips add gooey pockets of rich flavor, especially when enjoyed warm.
Texture-wise, they check all the boxes. The edges get just the slightest crisp for a subtle crunch, while the center stays thick, soft, and chewy. You know that ideal “bend without breaking” texture? Yep, these cookies nail it.
And if you’re a dough-lover (who isn’t?), you’ll be tempted to sneak a bite before the cookies even hit the oven, and thanks to the simplicity of the ingredients, it’s safe in moderation (but don’t say we encouraged it 😄).
Ingredients That Matter
Every ingredient in this recipe plays a crucial role:
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Unsalted Butter (melted) – Gives the cookies a rich flavor and helps them spread slightly.
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Peanut Butter – Use a creamy, processed peanut butter like Jif or Skippy for consistent results. Natural peanut butters can be too oily or dry.
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Brown Sugar – Adds sweetness and moisture. The molasses in brown sugar also gives the cookies their signature chewiness.
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Granulated Sugar – Balances the brown sugar and contributes to the perfect cookie spread.
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Egg & Vanilla – Essential binding and flavor-enhancing elements.
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All-Purpose Flour – The backbone of the cookie dough.
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Baking Soda – For the right amount of rise and texture.
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Salt – Essential to bring out the peanut butter and chocolate flavor.
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Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips – Provide that classic cookie bite and melty texture we all love.
Pro Tips for Success
1. Chill the Dough
Even if you’re in a rush, chilling the dough is non-negotiable. At least 30 minutes of fridge time prevents the cookies from overspreading and enhances the flavor.
2. Don’t Overbake
They may look underdone when the timer goes off, that’s perfect! Take them out when the centers are still slightly glossy. They’ll finish baking on the hot tray after removal.
3. Use Room Temperature Egg
Cold eggs can cause the dough to seize. Let it sit out for 15–20 minutes before baking.
4. Add Chocolate Chunks Too
Want even more gooey goodness? Mix chocolate chips with chopped chocolate chunks or even peanut butter chips for a flavor upgrade.
5. Use a Cookie Scoop
For evenly sized cookies (and that bakery-style look), use a 1.5 tbsp cookie scoop. Bonus: they’ll bake more evenly, too.
Customization Ideas
This recipe is flexible! Here are a few delicious twists you can try:
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Add chopped roasted peanuts for extra crunch.
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Use dark chocolate chips if you like a less-sweet, richer flavor.
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Make them sandwich cookies with a peanut butter or chocolate filling.
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Add flaky sea salt on top after baking for a gourmet finish.
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Turn them into cookie bars by baking the dough in an 8×8-inch pan for 20–25 minutes.
The base is versatile enough that you can make it your own every time.
Storing and Freezing Instructions
- Storage
Once cooled, store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. To keep them ultra-soft, you can pop a slice of bread into the container, it prevents them from drying out.
- Freezing Baked Cookies
Let them cool completely, then layer with parchment in an airtight container or zip-top bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. Let thaw at room temperature or reheat in the microwave for 10-15 seconds.
- Freezing Cookie Dough
After scooping dough balls, freeze them on a baking sheet until solid. Then transfer to a zip-top bag and store in the freezer. When ready to bake, place frozen dough balls directly on a tray and bake 1–2 minutes longer than usual. Fresh cookies on demand? Yes, please!
These Cookies Are Great For…
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Bake sales and potlucks
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Holiday cookie exchanges
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Birthday parties
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Lunchbox treats
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Midnight snacks
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Housewarming gifts
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Comfort baking days
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Sunday meal prep (yep, dessert counts!)
Basically, anytime is a good time for these peanut butter chocolate chip cookies.
Pairing Suggestions
Want to turn these into a full treat experience? Here are some pairings:
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Cold Milk or Almond Milk – A classic match.
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Espresso or Iced Coffee – The bitterness balances the sweetness.
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Vanilla Ice Cream – Make cookie ice cream sandwiches!
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Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate – For the ultimate PB-chocolate lovers’ moment.
You can even use the cookies in a dessert charcuterie board alongside brownies, candies, and fresh fruit for a stunning presentation.
Conclusion
These Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies are more than just a treat, they’re a bite of pure comfort, a reminder of childhood baking days, and the kind of dessert that disappears from the cookie jar faster than anything else. Their simplicity makes them approachable, and their flavor keeps people coming back.
Whether you’re a beginner baker or a seasoned pro, this recipe is the kind that never fails and always impresses. Keep it handy for last-minute guests, weeknight cravings, or that one cookie that seals the deal after dinner.
Try them once, and we guarantee they’ll become a repeat favorite. Happy baking!