Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe
If you’re craving the ultimate decadent treat, these Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies are exactly what your cookie jar deserves. Imagine rich cocoa and deeply nutty peanut butter teaming up for a chewy, melt-in-your-mouth bite — they are truly the best of both worlds! Every batch bakes up with slightly crisp edges and a soft center, filling your kitchen with an irresistible aroma that tempts even the most disciplined sweet tooth. Whether for a lunchbox surprise or a midnight snack, this recipe is sure to become your new favorite.

Ingredients You’ll Need
Baking these cookies is all about simple pantry staples that shine together. Every ingredient plays a special role — from creaminess and chew to that signature chocolate-peanut butter fusion. Here’s what makes each one necessary for perfect Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies:
- Shortening: Delivers a tender texture and keeps the cookies soft even after cooling.
- Creamy peanut butter: Ensures each bite is packed with intense nutty flavor and helps the cookies stay chewy.
- Packed brown sugar: Adds sweetness plus a caramel-like depth, resulting in a slightly fudgy center.
- Milk: A splash of moisture that balances the richness and creates a smooth dough.
- Vanilla extract: Rounds out the chocolate and peanut butter notes, lending warmth and complexity.
- Large egg: Binds everything together and brings structure to each cookie.
- All-purpose flour: Forms the base, ensuring the right balance of lift and chew.
- Unsweetened cocoa powder: Packs a big chocolate punch and creates that beautiful dark color.
- Baking soda: Gives the cookies just enough rise for a soft, puffy bite.
- Salt: Enhances all the flavors and keeps the sweetness in check.
How to Make Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies
Step 1: Prep and Preheat
Start by setting your oven to 375°F (190°C). This moderate temperature is perfect for getting cookies with crisp edges and a gooey middle, all without over-baking.
Step 2: Cream the Wet Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to blend your shortening, peanut butter, brown sugar, milk, and vanilla extract. Mixing these ingredients until smooth ensures your cookies will be delightfully creamy and flavorful in every bite.
Step 3: Add the Egg
Crack in your egg and mix just until the yolk disappears into the dough. Over-mixing here can make the cookies tough, so keep it gentle — just enough to bring everything together.
Step 4: Combine the Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. This step helps evenly distribute the cocoa and leavening, giving your Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies a uniform texture and rich color.
Step 5: Mix It All Together
Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring until well combined. The dough should be soft and slightly sticky but easy to scoop — if it feels too dry, you can add a tiny splash of milk.
Step 6: Shape and Pattern
Scoop the dough onto an ungreased cookie sheet, making 1 to 1 1/2 inch balls. Use a fork dipped in sugar for an easy crisscross pattern — this classic touch not only looks charming but also flattens the cookies just the right amount.
Step 7: Bake to Perfection
Bake for 7-8 minutes, just until the edges are set but the centers look slightly soft. This short bake time is the secret to cookies that stay chewy, ooey, and oh-so-lovely!
Step 8: Cool and Enjoy
Let the cookies rest on the sheet for 2 minutes (they’ll finish setting up), then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Try to resist eating them all warm — but honestly, there’s no wrong way to enjoy a freshly-baked Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookie!
How to Serve Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies

Garnishes
Get playful with your finishing touches! Try a sprinkle of flaky sea salt right after baking, a dusting of powdered sugar, or even a drizzle of melted chocolate. Each option brings a new pop of flavor and makes your Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies truly irresistible.
Side Dishes
A cold glass of milk is the classic companion, but these cookies also shine with a cup of strong cold brew, hot cocoa, or even a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra indulgent dessert.
Creative Ways to Present
Arrange cookies in a pretty tin lined with parchment for a sweet gift, or stack them tall and tie with twine for a homestyle look. For parties, try sandwiching a layer of marshmallow fluff or peanut butter frosting between two cookies for an unforgettable treat.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, keep your Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay fresh and chewy for up to five days — perfect for popping one (or two) whenever cravings hit!
Freezing
If you’d like to make a big batch, these cookies freeze beautifully. Just layer them with parchment paper in a freezer-safe bag or container, and they’ll keep for up to three months. You can also freeze the unbaked dough balls for fresh-baked cookies whenever you like.
Reheating
To recapture that fresh-from-the-oven magic, pop a cookie in the microwave for 8-10 seconds. The chocolate and peanut butter flavors will come alive, and the cookie will soften just enough for that perfect bite.
FAQs
Can I use natural peanut butter for these cookies?
Yes, you can, but for the best results, use commercial creamy peanut butter. Natural varieties can be oilier and might slightly change the cookie’s structure and chew.
Can I substitute butter for shortening?
Absolutely! Melted (and cooled) butter will add a deeper buttery flavor and a chewier texture. Keep in mind, though, butter may cause the cookies to spread a bit more in the oven.
Do these cookies stay soft after baking?
One of the joys of these Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies is their soft, slightly fudgy center, thanks to the balance of shortening, brown sugar, and peanut butter. Store them in an airtight container to keep them soft for days!
Can I add chocolate chips or other mix-ins?
You bet! Fold in a cup of chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, or even chopped nuts for extra dimension and texture. The base recipe is super versatile and welcomes tasty additions.
How can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Simply swap the all-purpose flour with your favorite 1-for-1 gluten-free flour blend. The rest of the ingredients should already be gluten-free, making these treats easy to adapt.
Final Thoughts
I hope you feel as excited as I do to whip up a batch of Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies in your own kitchen. Every bite is a celebration of two classic flavors fused into the perfect homemade treat — simple, satisfying, and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Go ahead, treat yourself and your loved ones — these cookies are pure joy on a plate!
PrintChocolate Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe
Indulge in the perfect blend of chocolate and peanut butter with these delicious Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies. They are easy to make and even easier to enjoy!
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
For the Cookies:
- 1/2 cup shortening (regular or butter flavor)
- 3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar
- 3 tablespoons milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 large egg
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to blend the shortening, peanut butter, brown sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Add Egg: Add the egg and mix until just incorporated.
- Prepare Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until fully combined.
- Shape Dough: Scoop the cookie dough onto an ungreased cookie sheet, forming 1 to 1 1/2 inch dough balls.
- Press Dough: Use a fork to gently press down each dough ball, creating a crisscross pattern.
- Bake: Bake for 7-8 minutes, until the edges are just set.
- Cool: Let the cookies cool on the cookie sheet for 2 minutes, then transfer them to a wire cooling rack to cool completely.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 160
- Sugar: 13g
- Sodium: 140mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
Keywords: Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies, Dessert, Peanut Butter, Chocolate, Cookies