Name: Chocolate Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 11 min
Total time: 55 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened; ¾ cup creamy peanut butter (Jif or Skippy-style; not natural); 1 cup light brown sugar, packed; ½ cup granulated sugar; 2 large eggs, room temperature; 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract; 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled; ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder (Dutch-process or natural); 1 teaspoon baking soda; ½ teaspoon salt; 1 ½ cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

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If you have a hankering for something rich, indulgent, and utterly comforting, the Chocolate Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe is the ultimate answer. These cookies combine the best of both worlds: the deep, luscious flavor of cocoa paired with the creamy, nutty goodness of peanut butter. With melty chocolate chips nestled throughout, each bite is a perfect blend of softness and just the right amount of chew. Whether you’re baking for a cozy night in or a crowd-pleasing treat, this recipe delivers luscious, melt-in-your-mouth cookies that feel like a warm hug from your oven.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Inside a shiny metal mixing bowl, there are two layers: a thick, creamy light brown dough spread around the sides and bottom, with a smooth, round raw egg yolk sitting in the center on top. The dough texture looks soft and fluffy, while the egg yolk is bright yellow and glossy. The bowl has a handle on the right side, and the bowl sits on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

This recipe calls for a handful of simple but essential ingredients, each carefully chosen to build that perfect cookie foundation. The rich butter and creamy peanut butter bring softness and depth, while brown sugar adds molasses undertones, and cocoa powder damps the sweetness with a deep chocolate kick. These ingredients work harmoniously to create beautiful color, texture, and mouthwatering flavor.

¾ cup unsalted butter (softened): Softened butter ensures the dough is creamy and tender for a perfectly chewy bite.
¾ cup creamy peanut butter (Jif or Skippy style): Use classic, smooth peanut butter for the ideal creamy texture and nutty flavor.
1 cup light brown sugar (packed): Adds moisture and a rich, caramel-like sweetness to the cookies.
½ cup granulated sugar: Balances the sweetness while helping create a slight crisp exterior.
2 large eggs (room temperature): Eggs bind the ingredients and add structure for a chewy, soft center.
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract: Brings warmth and depth to enhance all the other flavors.
1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled): Provides structure while keeping cookies tender and soft.
½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder (Dutch-process or natural): Delivers rich chocolate flavor and deep color without extra sweetness.
1 teaspoon baking soda: Leavens the dough and ensures a light, fluffy texture.
½ teaspoon salt: Balances sweetness and enhances the overall flavor profile.
1 ½ cups semi-sweet chocolate chips: Bursts of gooey chocolate for irresistible pockets of sweetness in every bite.

How to Make Chocolate Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Cream Butters and Sugars

Begin by beating the softened butter, creamy peanut butter, light brown sugar, and granulated sugar together on medium speed until the mixture is smooth, creamy, and just a bit aerated. This usually takes about two minutes and creates a perfect base for the cookies, giving them that tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture.

Step 2: Add Eggs and Vanilla

Next, add your eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition so that they are fully incorporated. Then pour in the vanilla extract and make sure to scrape down the sides of your bowl to mix everything evenly and avoid pockets of unmixed ingredients.

Step 3: Mix Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. This will ensure that the cocoa and leavening are evenly distributed, resulting in a cookie that’s perfectly balanced in texture and flavor.

Step 4: Combine Dough

Slowly add the dry ingredients to your wet mixture in two to three additions, mixing on low speed just until the dough comes together. Avoid overmixing here — the goal is a tender, chewy cookie, not a tough one.

Step 5: Fold in Chocolate Chips

Gently fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips with a spatula until they’re scattered evenly throughout the dough. This step ensures you get gooey bites of chocolate in every cookie.

Step 6: Chill the Dough

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and chill the dough in your refrigerator for 30 minutes. Chilling helps the dough firm up, which makes it easier to scoop and prevents the cookies from spreading too much during baking.

Step 7: Preheat the Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (177 degrees Celsius). Line your baking sheets with parchment paper for easy cookie removal and cleanup.

Step 8: Scoop and Bake

Scoop about 1½ tablespoons of dough (roughly 45 grams) per cookie, spacing them about two inches apart on the baking sheet. For a pretty finishing touch, press 3 or 4 extra chocolate chips into the top of each dough ball. Bake for 10 to 11 minutes until the cookie edges are set and the centers look soft, matte, and slightly puffed. Remember, because of the cocoa powder, these cookies won’t brown much but will be perfect nonetheless.

Step 9: Cool

Allow the cookies to rest on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes after baking to firm up a bit before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This cooling step helps them hold their shape and finishes the texture perfectly.

How to Serve Chocolate Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe

The image shows a close-up of many dark brown chocolate cookies spread out on a wooden surface, each cookie round and slightly cracked, with shiny melted chocolate chips embedded on the top. The cookies have a soft, textured surface with small visible creases, and some extra chocolate chips lay scattered between the cookies. The wooden surface adds a rustic feel to the dark, rich color of the cookies. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

To elevate your Chocolate Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe, try sprinkling a pinch of flaky sea salt on top before baking. This tiny burst of saltiness contrasts beautifully with the sweetness and enhances the peanut butter and chocolate flavors. Another idea is to drizzle a little melted white chocolate over cooled cookies for a fancy touch.

Side Dishes

Serve these cookies alongside a tall glass of cold milk or a creamy vanilla ice cream scoop for a classic combination that’s hard to beat. For adults, pairing with a cup of strong coffee or even a rich hot chocolate will make each bite feel like an indulgent dessert experience.

Creative Ways to Present

Want to impress guests? Arrange a stack of these cookies on a rustic wooden board with small bowls of peanut butter, chocolate chips, and chopped nuts around. You can also sandwich softened vanilla ice cream between two cookies for an irresistible homemade ice cream sandwich.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once completely cooled, store your Chocolate Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay fresh and chewy for up to 5 days. If you prefer crisp edges, store them with a paper towel inside the container to absorb excess moisture.

Freezing

The cookie dough itself freezes beautifully! After folding in the chocolate chips, scoop the dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. You can bake straight from frozen by adding an extra minute or two to the baking time. Alternatively, fully baked cookies also freeze well for up to two months; just thaw at room temperature before enjoying.

Reheating

Warm refrigerated or frozen cookies in a microwave for 10 to 15 seconds to revive that fresh-baked softness. Alternatively, a quick zap in a preheated oven at 300 degrees Fahrenheit for a few minutes will bring back their tender texture and melty chocolate luster.

FAQs

Can I use natural peanut butter instead of creamy peanut butter?

For this Chocolate Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe, creamy peanut butter like Jif or Skippy is best because it has the right balance of oil and smoothness, which helps achieve the ideal dough consistency. Natural peanut butter tends to be thinner and oilier, which can affect the texture.

What type of cocoa powder should I use?

You can use either Dutch-process or natural unsweetened cocoa powder depending on what you have on hand. Dutch-process cocoa is smoother and less acidic, which can result in a richer flavor, but natural cocoa works wonderfully as well.

Why do the cookies not brown much during baking?

The generous amount of cocoa powder in this recipe darkens the dough, so you won’t see much browning on the edges as you might with traditional peanut butter cookies. Instead, look for set edges and a matte, soft center to know they’re done.

Can I substitute the semi-sweet chocolate chips?

Absolutely! Feel free to use dark chocolate chips for a more intense chocolate flavor or milk chocolate chips for extra sweetness. You can also throw in some chopped nuts or white chocolate chips for fun variations.

How do I make sure my cookies are chewy and soft?

Follow the step of chilling the dough before baking and avoid overbaking—remove the cookies when the centers are still soft and matte. This ensures they finish with a chewy, tender texture once cooled.

Final Thoughts

There really is something magical about the combination of chocolate and peanut butter in cookies, and this Chocolate Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe captures that magic perfectly. Soft, chewy, and studded with gooey chocolate chips, these cookies make every bite feel like a special occasion. Whether you’re treating yourself or sharing with friends, I promise you’ll love how easy it is to create such a luscious cookie experience at home. So grab your mixing bowl and get ready to enjoy a batch of these little bites of pure joy!