If someone were to ask me what the very best recipe on this entire site was, I think the answer would be these Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies. I’ve been making this Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookie recipe since I was in college. It is still my husband’s favorite cookie recipe of all time.
These delicious chocolate cookies with peanut butter cups have been on my Christmas cookie platters for as long as I can remember. If you love chocolate and peanut butter, this recipe is about as good as it gets.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies
These chocolate peanut butter cookies are made with peanut butter, peanut butter chips, chocolate chips, peanut butter cups and mini peanut butter cups. I mean, come on. Does it get any better? Just take a look.
And I have shared them as one of my favorite Christmas Cookie Recipes. While I like to try new recipes every Christmas, these cookies are one of my staples. Family members anxiously await their arrival and they are usually the first of all of the treats to disappear.
I figured it was time I made a video of these Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies and share how easy and delicious they are. They have an amazing blend of flavors and textures that all work together to create a perfectly soft, chocolatey cookie that is filled, but not overwhelmed, with peanut butter flavor.
While I like to use two sizes of peanut butter cups in these, you can certainly use just one size. If you use larger peanut butter cups, just cut them into pieces.
How To Make Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies
A hint for your peanut butter cups. I like to freeze mine for at least an hour prior to making these cookies (and as long as weeks ahead). It helps to retain the shape and structure of the peanut butter cups. You can skip this, but if you know you’ll be making these cookies, throw some peanut butter cups in the freezer.
I tend to use the snack size Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups as well as the mini peanut butter cups I pick up at Trader Joe’s. I think Reese’s now makes the mini peanut butter cups as well. The mini cups I throw in whole, they do not get cup up.
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For today’s post, I made my large version of these chocolate peanut butter cookies. To heck with a cookie scoop, dip these babies up with an ice cream scoop. Go big or go home! Okay, you can make them smaller if you like, they’ll be ridiculously delicious either way you go.
See there, I couldn’t even wait to take a bite until after I took the photos. They are irresistible. And in case you are wondering, yes, I do have a pink silicone baking mat. It’s the little things in life.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookie Recipe
Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter softened
- 3/4 cup white sugar
- 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup smooth peanut butter
- 1/3 cup cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup peanut butter chips
- 10 regular-sized peanut butter cups or about 20-25 small cups, cut in pieces
- 1 cup mini peanut butter cups
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350*F (175*C).
- In medium bowl combine flour, cocoa and baking soda; set aside.
- In a large bowl, cream butter and sugars together with an electric mixer until fluffy. Add vanilla, peanut butter(s) and eggs; mixing well.
- Stir in flour mixture until just mixed. Batter will be thick, and a mixer can be used if needed. Fold in chips and peanut butter cups.
- Using an ice cream scoop, scoop onto baking sheets lined with parchment or a silicone baking mat.
- Bake for 11-13 minutes. Let cool for at least 10 minutes on baking sheet before transferring to wire rack to cool completely.
Video
Nutrition
Check out all of the cookie recipes on this site!
I’ve even made these as white chocolate peanut butter cup cookies. They are pretty spectacular as well. I adore the combo of white chocolate and peanut butter. I feel like it really doesn’t get the appreciation that it deserves!
And while I think today’s recipe is the best Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookie recipe I’ve ever tried, this is my best peanut butter cookie recipe. These cookies are out of this world good. And they are pretty fun and colorful with the Reese’s Pieces in them.
For those of you who love chocolate covered peanuts, I put them in a cookie. These Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Cookies will totally hit the spot. Love those crunchy chocolate covered peanuts on top!
I’ve even made a Peanut Butter Skillet Cookie. Oh, a yummy warm peanut butter cookie topped with ice cream. SO good!
If you love chocolate and peanut butter, and if you’ve read this far, I’m certain you do, I’ve got more recipes you are going to want to check out. If chocolate and peanut butter are your thing, then you can’t miss these posts!
Chocolate And Peanut Butter Recipe Round Up
And recipes using Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups
My friends have some great peanut butter cookie recipes as well! Barefeet In The Kitchen makes amazing Old Fashioned 3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies that are so easy they are practically magic. Crazy for Crust make Rolo Stuffed Peanut Butter Cookies that are incredible. Tidy Mom has a fantastic recipe for Gooey Peanut Butter Cookies. GOOEY PEOPLE, how great do those sound? Yum! And Foodie With Family makes Snickers Stuffed Peanut Butter Cookies that Snickers lovers will go crazy for.
I hope you enjoy my amazing Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies, as well as the other great peanut butter cookie recipes I shared in this post.
This Peanut Butter Chocolate Cookie Recipe was originally published in April, 2017
Nancy Goff says
Please, I’m lost with these ingredients: *10 regular-sized peanut butter cups or about 20-25 small cups, cut in pieces
*1 cup mini peanut butter cups
Is that two kinds or sizes of peanut butter cups?
Thanks for any help.
Christi says
10 regular sized would be the size that comes in the Reese’s packs (two per pack) by the candy bars. Small would be the Reese’s that come individually wrapped in a bag. Mini are just that, mini, almost more like a giant chocolate chip size. All that said, at the end of the day I’m very much of the “throw a bunch of whatever sized peanut butter cups in there and call it good” philosophy. They will be great no matter what size you use. 🙂
vikki says
Ohhh Christy you are a lady after my own heart. I love peanut butter and chocolate. There is no better combination. My family love cookies. Definitely something I will have to try. Love the colours on your blog – so bright and happy looking. You’re an inspiration. Thankyou x
Leanne says
This recipe is definitely on top of the A list.
Bonnie says
This looks like a cookie I should make.
Jessica says
Could I get away with just using 1 cup of chocolate chips and one cup of peanut butter chips, or would throw everything off? That is just way too much stuff in a cookie for me, but otherwise, I really like this recipe.
Christi says
Jessica, with the mix-ins you can be totally flexible and cut them back if you like. They will still be delish! Enjoy!
Nicole says
This recipe looks so great, I can’t wait to try it! Should the butter be salted or unsalted?
Thank you!!
Christi says
Nicole, either is fine – simply a matter of personal taste. Enjoy!
Michelle says
If I were to make the cookies slightly smaller about 1 tablespoon, what should my baking time be?
Christi says
Hi Michelle, I haven’t tested it but I would say start checking them around 7 minutes and go from there. They won’t be quite as soft inside as the larger cookies tend to be softer in the center. Good luck!
Linda says
Can you freeze this cookie dough?
Christi says
Hi Linda, I haven’t tried with these, but like most drop cookies I don’t think it would be a problem. Just let it thaw prior to baking.
Linda says
I tried these and they are delicious. I do think the recipe needs to be re-written though to put the ingredients in the order they are used. It was kind of confusing to have to look through the ingredient list to find what I needed next..