Description
Irresistible chocolate peanut butter cookies blend rich cocoa with creamy peanut butter for a classic American treat. These melt-in-your-mouth delights promise pure indulgence that will transport your taste buds to dessert paradise.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 1¼ cups light brown sugar, packed
- 1½ cups sugar (½ cup reserved for rolling dough)
Dry Leavening Agents:
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ⅔ cup cocoa powder (do not pack)
Liquid and Flavor Enhancers:
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare the baking workspace by lining a sheet with parchment paper or silicone mat, ensuring a non-stick surface for perfect cookie formation.
- Create a dry ingredient blend by sifting flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and baking soda together in a medium mixing bowl, establishing a uniform dry mixture.
- Separate ½ cup of sugar for coating the cookie dough balls before baking, which will provide a delightful crystalline exterior.
- Using an electric mixer, whip softened butter and peanut butter until they transform into a smooth, homogeneous mixture with a creamy consistency.
- Incorporate light brown sugar and remaining white sugar into the butter mixture, blending until the texture becomes light and airy.
- Introduce eggs individually into the mixture, gently mixing after each addition. Pour in vanilla extract and integrate thoroughly.
- Gradually fold the sifted dry ingredients into the wet components, mixing at low speed to prevent overmixing and maintain a tender cookie texture.
- Wrap the cookie dough and refrigerate for one hour, allowing flavors to meld and dough to firm up.
- Warm the oven to 350°F (175°C), creating an ideal baking environment.
- Craft uniform dough balls using a cookie scoop, aiming for consistent 1 to 1½-inch spheres.
- Generously coat each dough ball in reserved sugar, then arrange on the prepared baking sheet with adequate spacing.
- Imprint a classic criss-cross pattern on each cookie using a sugar-dipped fork, creating visual texture and traditional cookie aesthetics.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes until cookie edges stabilize and achieve a perfectly set appearance.
- Let cookies rest momentarily on the baking sheet, then carefully transfer to a cooling rack for complete temperature reduction.
- Preserve cookies in an airtight container, maintaining freshness for up to seven days.
Notes
- Chilling the dough is crucial for rich, dense cookies that don’t spread too thin during baking.
- Rolling the dough balls in sugar creates a delightful crispy exterior and adds a sweet crunch.
- Using a fork to create a criss-cross pattern isn’t just decorative; it helps cookies bake evenly and signals classic peanut butter cookie style.
- Softened butter and peanut butter blend smoother, ensuring a creamy, consistent cookie texture.
- Let cookies rest briefly on the baking sheet after removing from the oven to help them set and prevent breaking when transferred.
- Store cookies in an airtight container to maintain their soft, chewy texture for up to a week.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 24
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 19g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 4.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 25mg