Description
Delight in these rich and chewy Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies that combine the creamy goodness of peanut butter with the deep flavor of cocoa. Perfectly soft with a slight crisp around the edges, they make an irresistible treat that’s easy to prepare and great 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: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it reaches the right temperature for even and consistent baking, essential for achieving the cookies’ perfect chewiness.
- Line Baking Sheets: Prepare two baking sheets by lining them with parchment paper to prevent cookies from sticking and to simplify cleanup afterwards.
- Beat the Butters Together: In a large bowl, use an electric mixer at medium speed to beat the butter and creamy peanut butter together until the mixture is smooth and creamy with no lumps.
- Add Sugars, Milk, and Vanilla: To the butter mixture, add light brown sugar, milk, and vanilla extract. Continue beating at medium speed until well combined and the mixture is smooth and even in texture.
- Incorporate the Egg: Beat in the large egg just until incorporated; avoid overmixing at this stage to maintain the ideal cookie texture.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, salt, and baking soda until thoroughly combined.
- Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Mix on low speed until the dough just comes together with no visible flour, taking care not to overmix.
- Scoop the Dough: Using a 1.5 tablespoon cookie scoop, portion the dough onto the prepared baking sheets. Space cookies about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.
- Flatten Cookies: Gently flatten each dough ball slightly by pressing a fork in a crisscross pattern, giving the cookies their classic look and helping them bake evenly.
- Bake Them Right: Bake in the preheated oven for 7 to 8 minutes. Remove the cookies when the edges are set but centers still look slightly underbaked to keep them soft and chewy.
- Cool and Enjoy: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. This helps the cookies set properly and enhances their texture.
Notes
- Use fresh all-purpose flour for the best texture.
- Commercial creamy peanut butter provides consistent texture and flavor.
- Avoid overmixing once the dry ingredients are added to prevent tough cookies.
- Removing cookies slightly underbaked ensures a soft, chewy center.
- Natural cocoa powder is preferred for a rich chocolate flavor.
- Pressing the cookies with a fork also helps them bake evenly and achieve the traditional peanut butter cookie appearance.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
