How to Make Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

Peanut butter chocolate chip cookies are a classic treat that combines the nutty richness of peanut butter with the sweet, melty goodness of chocolate chips. These cookies are the perfect balance of soft and chewy, making them a favorite for cookie lovers of all ages. Whether you’re baking for a family gathering, a holiday treat, or just because you have a sweet craving, this recipe is sure to deliver the ultimate cookie experience. With simple ingredients and easy steps, you’ll have warm, delicious cookies ready in no time.

Ingredients for Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

To make these irresistible cookies, you’ll need the following ingredients:

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1 large egg
• 1 cup creamy peanut butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 and 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

How to Make Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

Step 1: Prepare the dough

1. Cream the butter and sugars: In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This should take about 2-3 minutes.
2. Add the wet ingredients: Beat in the egg, peanut butter, and vanilla extract until well combined. The mixture should be smooth and creamy.
3. Mix the dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. This ensures that the leavening agents are evenly distributed in the dough.
4. Combine wet and dry ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can result in tougher cookies.
5. Fold in the chocolate chips: Using a spatula, gently fold in the chocolate chips, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.

Step 2: Chill the dough

1. Refrigerate the dough: For the best results, cover the dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes. Chilling the dough helps to firm it up, making it easier to shape and preventing the cookies from spreading too much during baking.

Step 3: Bake the cookies

1. Preheat your oven: While the dough is chilling, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
2. Shape the cookies: Once the dough has chilled, use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to portion out the dough, rolling each portion into a ball. Place the dough balls onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
3. Flatten slightly: Using a fork, gently press down on each dough ball to slightly flatten it. This also gives the cookies the classic crisscross pattern on top.
4. Bake: Place the baking sheets in the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. The centers should still be soft but not raw.
5. Cool the cookies: Remove the baking sheets from the oven and allow the cookies to cool on the sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This allows the cookies to set properly.

Step 4: Serve and enjoy

1. Serve the cookies: Once the cookies have cooled, they are ready to be enjoyed! These peanut butter chocolate chip cookies are perfect with a glass of cold milk or a cup of coffee.
2. Storage: Store any leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. You can also freeze the dough balls and bake them later for fresh cookies whenever you want.

About the Main Ingredients

Peanut Butter: Peanut butter is the star ingredient in these cookies, providing a rich, nutty flavor that complements the sweetness of the chocolate chips. It also adds moisture and a slightly chewy texture to the cookies. Creamy peanut butter is recommended for this recipe, but if you prefer a bit of crunch, you can use chunky peanut butter.

Chocolate Chips: Semi-sweet chocolate chips are used in this recipe to balance the sweetness of the cookie dough. They melt beautifully during baking, creating pockets of gooey chocolate in each bite. You can also experiment with different types of chocolate, such as dark chocolate or milk chocolate, depending on your preference.

Butter: Unsalted butter is used in these cookies to control the amount of salt in the recipe. Butter adds richness and helps create a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture. Make sure the butter is softened before creaming it with the sugars to achieve the right consistency.

Sugars: A combination of granulated sugar and brown sugar is used to achieve the perfect balance of sweetness and texture. The granulated sugar provides sweetness and structure, while the brown sugar adds moisture and a subtle caramel flavor, contributing to the chewy texture of the cookies.

Egg: The egg in this recipe acts as a binding agent, helping to hold the dough together. It also adds moisture and richness, contributing to the cookies’ soft and tender texture.

Flour and Leavening Agents: All-purpose flour forms the base of the dough, while baking soda and baking powder help the cookies rise and spread properly during baking. The combination of these ingredients ensures that the cookies have the perfect balance of chewiness and crispness.

Peanut butter chocolate chip cookies are a delightful treat that combines two beloved flavors in one delicious bite. This recipe is simple enough for beginners yet yields bakery-quality cookies that everyone will love. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or just because, these cookies are sure to become a staple in your recipe collection. Enjoy them fresh out of the oven, or save some dough in the freezer for a quick and easy treat whenever you crave something sweet.