Description
These Salted Double Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies combine the rich flavors of cocoa and peanut butter with a touch of finishing salt for a perfect balance of sweet and salty. Soft and chewy with gooey chocolate chips, these cookies offer a decadent treat that’s easy to make and perfect for sharing.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp kosher or sea salt
- ⅔ cup cocoa powder
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup butter (softened, 2 sticks)
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup brown sugar
- ½ cup natural peanut butter
- 2 eggs (room temperature)
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
Add-ins
- 2 cups semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips
- Finishing salt (e.g. Maldon) for sprinkling
Instructions
- Heat the oven – Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it reaches the right temperature for baking the cookies evenly.
- Mix wet ingredients – In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and natural peanut butter until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Add the vanilla extract, then beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each egg is fully incorporated. Finally, gently mix in the cocoa powder just until combined to preserve the texture.
- Whisk dry ingredients – In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and kosher or sea salt. This helps distribute the raising agents and salt evenly throughout the dough.
- Combine dry and wet ingredients – Gradually stir the dry flour mixture into the wet butter-peanut butter mixture, mixing gently to avoid overworking the dough which can make cookies tough. Fold in the chocolate chips carefully, ensuring an even spread throughout the dough.
- Place cookie dough balls on baking sheet – Using a cookie scoop or spoon, form dough balls approximately 2 tablespoons in size. Arrange them on an ungreased baking sheet, spacing each about 3 inches apart to allow for spreading. Sprinkle each dough ball with a pinch of finishing salt for that perfect salty crunch.
- Bake cookies – Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 12-14 minutes, until edges are set but centers remain soft. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 1-2 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely, ensuring they firm up without becoming dry.
Notes
- Using natural peanut butter will give the most authentic flavor; avoid processed peanut butters with added sugar or oils.
- Do not overmix the dough once the flour is added to keep cookies tender.
- Sprinkling finishing salt just before baking balances sweetness with a delightful salty crunch.
- If you prefer chewier cookies, slightly underbake and allow them to finish setting on the sheet.
- Cookie dough can be chilled for up to 24 hours for more controlled spreading if desired.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 14 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
