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Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe

4.5 from 109 reviews

These rich and chewy Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies combine the bold flavors of cocoa and creamy peanut butter for a perfect treat. Soft and fudgy on the inside with a slight crisp on the edges, these cookies are easy to make and ideal for satisfying any chocolate and peanut butter craving.

Ingredients

Scale

Wet Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup shortening (or butter flavored shortening)
  • 3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
  • 3/4 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
  • 3 Tablespoons milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 large egg

Dry Ingredients

  • 1 1/4 cups all purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (scoop and sweep, do not pack)
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • 3/4 teaspoon baking soda

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure it’s at the perfect temperature for baking the cookies evenly.
  2. Cream Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the shortening, creamy peanut butter, light brown sugar, milk, and vanilla extract. Use an electric mixer on medium speed to beat the mixture until smooth and well blended. Add the egg and beat just until incorporated.
  3. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, salt, and baking soda. Add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients at low mixer speed. Mix just until combined to avoid overworking the dough.
  4. Shape Cookies: Using a cookie scoop or heaping tablespoons, drop the dough 2 inches apart onto an ungreased baking sheet. Lightly flatten each cookie with the tines of a fork in a crisscross pattern to create the classic peanut butter cookie shape.
  5. Bake Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 7 to 8 minutes, or until the cookies are set and just beginning to brown at the edges. Avoid overbaking to keep them soft inside.
  6. Cool: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 2 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

  • Do not pack the cocoa powder into the measuring cup; scoop and sweep to avoid a dry, crumbly texture.
  • Use an electric mixer for best texture when creaming wet ingredients.
  • Flatten cookies gently to maintain a tender crumb.
  • Cookies are best stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
  • You can substitute butter flavored shortening with regular shortening or unsalted butter with slightly different texture.

Keywords: Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies, chocolate cookies, peanut butter cookies, easy cookie recipe, homemade cookies, dessert, sweet treats