Description
Delight in the perfect fusion of chocolate and peanut butter with these Chocolate Peanut Butter Swirl Cookies. Featuring rich cocoa chocolate dough and creamy peanut butter dough, these cookies offer a beautiful swirl effect and a deliciously soft texture. Ideal as a sweet treat, they balance the deep flavor of cocoa with the nutty essence of peanut butter in every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Chocolate Dough:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Peanut Butter Dough:
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare for Baking: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two large baking sheets with parchment paper. This ensures the cookies won’t stick and promotes even browning during baking.
- Make the Chocolate Dough: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. In a separate large bowl, cream the softened butter with granulated sugar and brown sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined. Gradually add the dry ingredients, mixing just until incorporated. Set the chocolate dough aside.
- Prepare the Peanut Butter Dough: In another medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. In a large bowl, cream the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until fluffy. Add the creamy peanut butter and mix until smooth. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract. Slowly incorporate the dry ingredients, mixing until just combined to form the peanut butter dough.
- Create the Swirl Effect: Take equal portions of chocolate and peanut butter dough (approximately 2 tablespoons each). Gently roll them together in your hands to form a ball, being careful not to overmix so the adorable swirl effect remains distinct. Place the dough balls on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.
- Bake to Perfection: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are set but the centers remain slightly soft. The cookies will continue to cook slightly on the hot baking sheets after removal. Allow them to cool on the sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- Do not overmix the dough when combining the two parts to maintain the distinctive chocolate and peanut butter swirl.
- Use parchment paper or silicone baking mats to prevent sticking and promote even baking.
- For firmer cookies, reduce bake time slightly; for softer cookies, lean towards the 12-minute mark.
- Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- Peanut butter type affects texture; creamy peanut butter provides a smoother dough and swirl.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: chocolate peanut butter cookies, swirl cookies, homemade cookies, chocolate cookies, peanut butter treats, easy cookie recipe, baking dessert
