Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies are soft, chewy, and they turn out perfect every time! Start with an amazing peanut butter cookie recipe and add chocolate chips to take these cookies to the next level!
Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies have become a staple around my house since I discovered this recipe. I know, I know. Everyone says that their cookie recipe is the best and that doesn’t always mean much, but I promise that this is the BEST peanut butter cookie recipe you have ever tried.
It is my absolute favorite peanut butter cookie recipe. I can say this because I have tried dozens and dozens of peanut butter cookie recipes and was never very excited about any of them. Until I tried this one. It seems like a lot of the peanut butter cookie recipes turn out really crumbly and dry. Not this one!
This recipe is not only my favorite Peanut Butter Cookie recipe, but my favorite cookie recipe. Period. It is really that good. Just try it! I always add chocolate chips to mine, but they are good without also…totally up to you! And call me strange, but I usually prefer mini chocolate chips to the regular sized ones. I think it’s because I actually prefer cookie dough to baked cookies, and I like just a hint of chocolate mixed with the cookie – I don’t like my cookie dough to be overshadowed by too much chocolate!
How do you make homemade peanut butter cookies?
Making homemade peanut butter cookies is easy! Here are a few tips to getting perfect cookies every time!
- Make sure you use softened butter – DON’T melt it! One of the most common errors in cookie making is using butter that is either really cold and hard, or using butter that is too warm and melted. If you have time, just leave butter out on the counter for about 1-2 hours before making your cookies. If you are like me and don’t plan your cookie cravings that far in advance, just place the butter in your microwave and soften in 5 second intervals, being very careful to pull it out before it melts. I actually like to use the defrost setting on my microwave to soften butter- I don’t know the technical reasons behind it, but it seems to soften the butter more evenly and takes a little bit longer so I’m less likely to start melting it!
- Most cookie recipes require that you mix the dry ingredients separately before adding the wet ingredients. This is an important step! And be sure not to over mix the dry and wet ingredients together. Just mix until combined and then stop! To mix cookies, I usually use an electric mixer or a stand mixer with the paddle attachment.
- Make sure to slightly press peanut butter cookies on the top with a fork before baking.
Why do peanut butter cookies always have fork marks on the top?
Peanut butter makes cookies more dense, so they need to be slightly flattened before baking so that they can cook more evenly. There is nothing worse than a cookie with burnt edges and a doughy middle! My kids like to help make the criss-cross pattern on the tops of the cookies, but if you don’t like the pattern, you can just use the back of a wooden spoon to slightly flatten the tops before placing the peanut butter cookies in the oven.
Ingredients in Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Cookies
Peanut butter: For best results, use a regular peanut butter. Every time I have made these cookies I have used a regular creamy peanut butter (like Jif or a store-brand alternative). Several readers have commented that the cookies do not turn out as well when using a natural style peanut butter.
Butter: I use salted butter, but you can use unsalted if you prefer. No margarine! Make sure the butter is softened to room temperature, but not melted before adding to the recipe.
Sugar: Can’t leave this one out – kind of an important ingredient in cookies!
Brown sugar: Also an important cookie ingredient. Make sure your brown sugar isn’t dried out or stale.
Egg: We only need 1 large egg, but it helps to bind the dough together so that the cookies cook properly and don’t crumble.
Milk: Just a little bit of milk, but it is needed to add a bit of moisture to the cookie dough. Any type of milk will work just fine!
Vanilla: I suggest using a good quality vanilla extract or a Vanilla Bean Paste.
Flour: I usually use all purpose flour, but you can use bread flour, or even pastry flour in this recipe.
Baking powder: Leavening agent in the cookies. Make sure your baking powder isn’t old or expired for best results.
Salt: Just a little bit, but don’t leave it out!
Chocolate chips: I usually use semi-sweet chocolate chips, but milk chocolate chips are fantastic as well. Or dark chocolate. Or throw in some peanut butter chips. A combination of chocolate works too! I like to swap out the regular sized chips for mini chips sometimes too! Or you can leave them out completely – peanut butter cookies are great on their own too!
How to make Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Cookies?
With a hand mixer on medium speed, cream together the peanut butter, butter, white sugar and brown sugar until blended. Beat in the egg, milk, and vanilla.
Combine the flour, baking powder and salt in a separate bowl. Add flour mixture to the peanut butter mixture and mix together.
Stir in chocolate chips at this point if desired. Scoop tablespoonfuls of dough and roll into balls.
Place the balls of dough 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets or cookie sheets lined with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Press each cookie ball once with a fork.
Bake for 8-10 minutes at 375°. Don’t overcook! These cookies are much better soft and just barely cooked all the way through!
THE BEST PEANUT BUTTER CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES
Ingredients
- 1 cup peanut butter
- ½ cup butter softened
- ½ cup white sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 egg
- 3 Tbsp milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups flour
- ¾ tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 ½ cups semi-sweet chocolate chips optional
Instructions
- With a hand mixer, cream together the peanut butter, butter, white sugar and brown sugar until blended.
- Beat in the egg, milk, and vanilla.
- Combine the flour, baking powder and salt in a separate bowl.
- Add flour mixture to the peanut butter mixture and mix together. Stir in chocolate chips at this point if desired.
- Scoop tablespoonfuls of dough and roll into balls.
- Place cookies 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets (I used parchment paper since my cookies tend to burn on my darker pans). Press each ball once with a fork.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes at 375. Don’t overcook! These cookies are much better soft and just barely cooked all the way through! Enjoy!
Video
Nutrition
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Can you freeze peanut butter cookies?
Peanut butter cookies are easily frozen, either before or after baking them. I prefer to form the cookie dough balls and freeze those so that I can pull them and bake them whenever I need them. This way the cookies will be warm and fresh every time!
FREEZING COOKIE DOUGH
To freeze the cookie dough, place the balls on wax paper on a cookie sheet and freeze for about 30-45 minutes. Then you can place all of the frozen cookie dough balls in an airtight container or Ziplock freezer bag. When you are ready to bake them, just pull them out and place on a cookie sheet, let them thaw for about 10-15 minutes and then bake as usual.
FREEZING BAKED COOKIES
You can also freeze the cookies once they have been baked. Just make sure they have cooled all they way to room temperature and then place them in an airtight container in the freezer. I like to wrap them in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer bag or airtight container to make sure to prevent freezer burn. If stored properly, peanut butter cookies will stay good in the freezer for 2-3 months.
How do you keep peanut butter cookies soft and fresh?
If you don’t eat all the peanut butter cookies within the first day or two, you can keep them soft and fresh by placing half a slice of white bread with the cookies in an airtight container or Ziplock bag. Make sure the bag or container is sealed well. The cookies will absorb moisture from the bread and stay softer for a longer amount of time this way!
More favorite chocolate chip cookie recipes:
- Raspberry Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Peanut Butter Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Cookies
- Mini Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Caramel Pretzel Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Mrs. Fields White Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Zucchini Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Caramel Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Butter Pecan Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Best Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Peanut Butter Fudge Brownies
Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies are soft and chewy, and they turn out perfect every time! Add chocolate chips to this classic peanut butter cookie recipe to take these cookies to the next level!
More favorite recipes to try:
- Smoked Chicken Drumsticks
- Recipes with Jello Mix
- Smoked Meatloaf Recipe
- Garlic Butter Pasta
- Chocolate Donut Glaze
- Raspberry Jello Salad
Nancy says
How many cookies does each recipe make?? Thanks!
Nellie says
Nancy – it depends on the size of your cookies. I use a medium cookie scoop and usually get about 3 dozen cookies.
Robb says
Just made these cookies last night and they turned out absolutely fantastic. Some of the best peanut butter cookies I have ever had and the chocolate chips put them over the top. Will definitely be making them again
Alison says
Robb, these are our favorite too! I am so glad you were able to enjoy them!
AOK says
I am a major fan of peanut butter and chocolate and these are pretty darn good. I baked for about 11 minutes and hours later they are still soft and chewy. I used dark chocolate. I also used my stand mixer which made it all easier – I even used it to mix in the chips. I used a scoop and did not roll into balls. Ended up with exactly 36 cookies. Will definitely make these again.
Deborah Siliga says
Im on my second batch in less than two weeks! The more i make, the faster they go. They are so incredibly wonderfully crumbly. This will always be my go to for peanut butter chocolate chip cookies. Mahalo for sharing this delicious recipe.
❤❤❤
Alison says
Deborah, It’s great to hear you enjoy these as much as we do!
Lorraine says
I would like to try this recipe however I am confused.
On the video, everything was mixed in one bowl.
In the recipe and on the comments below the video, the wet ingredients and the dry were mixed in different bowls and put together.
So which is the way to do it please.
Nellie says
Lorraine – The dry ingredients are mixed separately and then added to the wet ingredients. In the video, I had just added the baking powder and salt to the flour before adding to the ingredients but didn’t show those steps to save time. Sorry for the confusion! I hope you love these cookies as much as I do!
Cheryl Ford says
I didn’t see a video?
Megan says
These have to be amazing. The perfect combination.
Zelma Long says
The best cookie recipe I have ever used.! 10/10
Nellie says
So glad you enjoyed them Zelma!
Penny Holzgen says
I made these cookies 3 weeks in a row! Love than so much I’ve gained 3 pounds. Definitely worth the weight gain, boyfriend believes it’s his favorite cookie now.! Greatrecipe❣💕
Nellie says
Penny – Haha – best comment ever! Aren’t they just soooo good? I’m glad I’m not the only one that just can’t get enough of them!
Beth says
You could not have made a better cookie! Peanut butter & chocolate + soft and chewy are my most favorite everything!! I will be making these asap!
Jane Saunders says
The reviews people have already left speak volumes for this recipe. Simply one of the best around and perfect for my family who also don’t like too much chocolate overtaking the PB flavour.
Judith says
I like these cookies but I think they could use a little less flour.
Karen Huff says
These turned out beautifully. Everyone in the office LOVED them, and my family is now addicted. Thank you!
Jessica says
So glad you enjoyed them Karen! And way to go for sharing! 😉
Jarry says
I consider myself a pretty good baker. I am not sure what’s going on with this recipe. But I followed it to perfection and when I took the cookie off the sheet it crumbles into dust? Is it because there’s only one egg?
Nellie says
I’m not sure what happened- it definitely shouldn’t be crumbly! This dough is actually even a little bit more wet than other cookie dough. Did you add the milk? What type of peanut butter did you use?
Annette Foster says
Was exactly what I wanted. I wanted only a hint of chocolate so I only used about a third of a cup. Love mini chips. When you want just a little chocolate. I sprinkled some course sanding sugar on top.
pinoybay says
Looking a good recipie but the result will be shown when i make this for my family..!
Kim Adams says
I made these the other day . My son is 7 and loves them. He doesn’t eat chocolate. I just mad some without . I am making more right now . They are the best cookie I have made . Perfect combination not to sweet.
Thank you
lambingan says
could I use another sweetener instead of 10x sugar? Maybe powdered organic stevia? I make everything using all organic. I will even use organic graham crackers and organic p.b. and butter in mine. And organic chocolate! Maybe I can use organic brown rice syrup?
Nellie says
I haven’t tried with other sweeteners but I’m guessing they would work fine!
Anne Van Wicklen says
After testing out several other recipes that left me feeling “meh,” I settled on these, primarily because I was looking for a recipe that had more of a peanut butter flavor. These were by far my favorite of all the ones I tested. They are the perfect blend of peanut butter, chocolate and sweetness. I did add two cups of chocolate chips as opposed to one and a half cups, because my husband likes them more chocolate-y. I probably would have preferred them with the amount the recipe calls for.
Jessica says
So glad you enjoyed them Anne!
Carol says
I had the same problem as the review a few above mine. I thought the dough was too wet so I added about an eighth of a cup more of flour. They were still pretty wet. But I had to get them in the oven. They took a lot longer than the recipe. More like 15 min. And still no browning on top or bottom. When I took them out they were crumbly still. I used Jeff peanut butter — and also followed the recipe to the T. Has anybody else found a solution to this?
Pinoy Teleserye says
The best cookie recipe I have ever used . thanks for information , keep it up.
Alison says
Thanks so much Pinoy!