Soft and Chewy Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies (2024)

Published: Author: Sabine / This post may contain affiliate links

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These Chewy Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies have the most delicious chewy and soft centers and crispy edges. They are loaded with semi-sweet chocolate chunks and peanut butter chips.

They are easy, and you need just very little prep time to make these indulgent treats. Be sure to make enough of them because they disappear as quickly as my peanut butter oatmeal cookies.

Soft and Chewy Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies (1)
Jump to:
  • Video Tutorial
  • Why You’ll Fall in Love With These Cookies
  • Ingredients
  • How to Make Chewy Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
  • Make Ahead and Freezing Instructions
  • Expert Tips for Success
  • Chewy Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies FAQs
  • Did You Know?
  • More Cookies Recipes
  • Recipe

Video Tutorial

Chewy Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies are my cookies of choice when I bake something for family gatherings or potlucks. I will show you detailed directions on how to replicate this recipe successfully.

If you want to learn more about making perfect cookies every time, check out my chocolate chip cookies post, where I answer frequently asked questions and share my best tricks and tips.

Why You’ll Fall in Love With These Cookies

  • They’re indulgent. There’s something deliciously irresistible in the perfect balance of textures and flavors in these cookies. Just imagine biting into a cookie, starting with its crisp edges and then moving on to its soft and chewy center.
  • They have a perfect balance of flavors. These cookies will taste like heaven to those who are tired of traditional chocolate cookies and enjoy the taste of peanut butter一like me!
  • They’re always a hit. As I have mentioned above, my Chewy Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies are my go-to desserts to bring to any family gathering and potluck parties. They have never failed me. Ever.

Ingredients

  • Unsalted butter and egg - To make vegan peanut butter cookies, follow my vegan cookies recipe to substitute butter and egg. Stick to the rest of the ingredients and directions as directed in this post.
  • Peanut butter - The best peanut butter for these cookies is either from Skippy or Reese's. If you don't have one of these peanut butter brands available, go for a similar creamy peanut butter brand. Crunchy peanut butter, all-natural, or even homemade peanut butter doesn't work well since the cookies would turn out crumbly and dry and don't spread enough.
  • Sugars - To achieve the perfect texture, stick to using half brown and half white sugar. I prefer light brown sugar but dark brown sugar works as well. Keep in mind that dark brown sugar alters the taste and the texture (spread less).
  • Cornstarch - This will keep the cookies soft for days and is highly recommended. However, if you don't have cornstarch available, leave it out.
  • Baking soda - This is the key ingredient to my Chewy Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies. If you like cakey cookies, swap for baking powder 1:1. If you prefer cookies without chemical leavening agents, you can also skip the baking soda and use sourdough discard. Follow my sourdough discard cookies recipe for this substitution.
  • Mix-ins - I love to add half chocolate chunks and half peanut butter chips, but you can add any mix-ins you love or skip them altogether.

Please refer to the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.

How to Make Chewy Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

Learn how to bake Chewy Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies with these simple instructions!

1. Combine dry ingredients.

Soft and Chewy Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies (2)

In a medium mixing bowl, combine the flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt, and set aside. Using a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a paddle or whisk attachment, cream the butter, sugar, and brown sugar on medium-high speed for 2-3 minutes.

2. Whisk other ingredients together.

Soft and Chewy Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies (3)

Add the egg and vanilla and mix for about 1 minute, until well combined and creamy.

Mix in the peanut butter for about 30-60 seconds until combined. Then add the flour mixture and mix on low speed just until incorporated about 30-60 seconds.

3. Stir in the peanut butter and chocolate chips and chill.

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Stir in the peanut butter chips and chocolate chips, if used, and mix just until well distributed. Cover and chill for 1 hour.

4. Bake your cookies.

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Soft and Chewy Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies (6)

Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and preheat the oven to 350°F (or 175°C). Scoop 18 equal-sized balls (about 2 tablespoons or 45g) of cookie dough, roll them into even balls, and place them, 4 inches (or 10 cm) apart, on the prepared baking sheets.

Bake one sheet at a time for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are set and lightly browned and the centers look undone, pale, puffy, and dry.

5. Let your cookies cool and serve.

Remove from the oven and let cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes or until firm enough to move. They will continue baking on the baking sheets.

Then, transfer to a wire rack and let cool completely. The cookies will stay fresh in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

Make Ahead and Freezing Instructions

If you like, you could prepare the dough in advance and chill covered for up to 2 days. Let it stand at room temperature for 20-30 minutes before baking until it's a smooth and spoonable dough.

It's also possible to prepare the dough, chill it for 1 hour, roll it into balls, and freeze it in freezer bags or containers for up to 3 months.

Thaw them at room temperature for 1-2 hours before baking. I don't recommend baking frozen cookie dough balls since they don't spread enough and turn out thicker and drier as desired.

Also, baked cookies freeze very well. Wrap each cookie in plastic wrap separately and store them in freezer bags for up to 3 months. Before serving, let them thaw at room temperature for 1-2 hours.

Looking to make some substitutions for your cookie recipe? We got you covered. Here are articles on butter substitute for cookies, substitute for shortening in baking, brown sugar substitute for cookies and egg substitute for cookies.

Expert Tips for Success

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  • Use the right peanut butter. Use creamy peanut butter for the best possible texture. Crunchy, homemade, or all-natural peanut butter causes them to become dry and brittle.
  • Don’t overmix your ingredients. Once the flour is added, mix your ingredients just until combined. Overmixing will lead to the gluten developing too much ending with your cookies turning out dense and tough.
  • Don’t overbake your cookies. Remove them from the oven when they look undone, pale, and have little cracks on the surface. The edges should be set and lightly browned. When overbaked, the cookies will be hard.

Chewy Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies FAQs

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Where do you bake cookies in the oven?

I have found the best way to bake these peanut butter chocolate chip cookies is to place them in the center of the oven.I also bake just one baking sheet at a time to make sure that your cookies bake evenly.

Do I need an oven thermometer to bake cookies?

You don't need it as long as you know your oven very well and be sure that you can rely on it. In any other case, an oven thermometer is a smart investment, and I highly recommend using it.If your oven is either too hot or too cold, the cookies won't spread properly.

Why don’t they have fork marks?

Regular peanut butter cookies are a lot denser and don't spread much in the oven. So, you need to flatten them before baking so that they bake evenly.

The texture of these chewy peanut butter cookies is more like your favorite chocolate chip cookie, just with a great peanut butter taste.They spread in the oven without flattening. Hence there are no fork marks.

Did You Know?

I wrote a thorough guide on how to make cookies where questions like why cookies turn out flat, don't spread, turn out hard, or how chilling affects the taste and texture are answered.

I also share mistakes to avoid and tips for success.So whatever your question, check out my How to Make Cookies post and find the answer. If your question is still not answered, simply leave a comment below.

More Cookies Recipes

Find here some of my favorite recipes which are loved by family, friends, and readers around the world. By the way, have you seen my handy list of cookie recipes with chocolate chips?

  • Air Fryer Cookies
  • Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
  • Brownie Cookies
  • Pistachio Cookies
  • White Chocolate Macadamia Cookies
  • Chocolate Cookies

Recipe

Soft and Chewy Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies (9)

Soft and Chewy Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

5 from 15 votes

Author Sabine

Calories: 223kcal

Servings: 18 cookies

Prep 20 minutes minutes

Cook 10 minutes minutes

Chill 1 hour hour

Total 1 hour hour 30 minutes minutes

Print Pin Rate

These decadent peanut butter cookies have the most delicious chewy and soft centers and crispy edges. They are loaded with semi-sweet chocolate chunks and peanut butter chips. They are easy, and you need just very little prep time to make these indulgent treats.

Ingredients

  • 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • ½ cup granulated white sugar
  • ½ cup light brown sugar, packed
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ cup creamy peanut butter
  • ½ cup peanut butter chips
  • ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips or chunks

Instructions

  • In a medium mixing bowl, combine the flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt, and set aside.

  • In a large mixing bowl, using a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a paddle or whisk attachment, cream the butter, sugar, and brown sugar on medium-high speed for 2-3 minutes. Add the egg and vanilla and mix for about 1 minute, until well combined and creamy. Mix in the peanut butter for about 30-60 seconds until combined. Then add the flour mixture and mix on low speed just until incorporated, about 30-60 seconds. Stir in the peanut butter chips and chocolate chips, if used, and mix just until well distributed. Cover and chill for 1 hour.

  • Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Scoop 18 equal-sized balls (about 2 tablespoons [45g]) of cookie dough, roll into even balls, and place them, 4 inches (10 cm) apart, on the prepared baking sheets. Bake one sheet at a time for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are set and lightly browned and the centers look undone, pale, puffy, and dry.

  • Remove from the oven and let cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes, or until firm enough to move. They will continue baking on the baking sheets. Then, transfer to a wire rack and let cool completely. The cookies will stay fresh in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

You can find the video in the post above. If you don't see a video, please check your browser settings.

Nutrition

Calories: 223kcalCarbohydrates: 25gProtein: 4gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 25mgSodium: 112mgPotassium: 98mgFiber: 1gSugar: 16gVitamin A: 175IUCalcium: 16mgIron: 1mg

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Did you make this recipe?Leave a feedback and rate this recipe!

This recipe was originally published on September 4th, 2018 but has been reworked and improved based on readers' feedback.

Soft and Chewy Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to making cookies soft and chewy? ›

Cornstarch gives the cookies that ultra soft consistency we all love. Plus, it helps keep the cookies beautifully thick. We use the same trick when making shortbread cookies. Egg yolk: Another way to promise a super chewy chocolate chip cookie is to use an extra egg yolk.

What makes a cookie chewy vs soft? ›

If you enjoy your cookies soft and chewy, chances are likely the recipe contains a common ingredient that serves a very specific purpose. No, it's not granulated sugar, nor the butter. It's not the egg, all-purpose flour, or even the vanilla extract. The simple, yet oh-so-necessary component is cornstarch.

What factors cause a cookie to be crisp soft and chewy? ›

The ingredients you use and how you shape your cookies both play an important role in whether your cookies turn out crispy or chewy. The type of flour and sugar you use, if your cookie dough contains eggs, and whether you use melted or softened butter all factor into the crispy-chewy equation, too.

How do you keep chocolate chip cookies soft and chewy? ›

There are a few ways to keep chocolate chip cookies chewy even after a couple of days:
  1. Use brown sugar instead of white sugar. ...
  2. Add an extra egg yolk. ...
  3. Use cake flour instead of all-purpose flour. ...
  4. Add a little cornstarch to the dough. ...
  5. Store the cookies in an airtight container. ...
  6. Finally, let the cookies cool.
Jan 9, 2023

What is the secret ingredient to keep cookies soft? ›

Light corn syrup is another ingredient that you can add to cookie dough that will help it stay softer longer. The corn syrup you buy at the grocery store is not the high-fructose corn syrup that soft drinks are made with; it's a sugar that is liquid at room temperature and helps other sugars say liquid at high heat.

How do you make cookies chewy instead of crunchy? ›

What ingredients make for a chewy rather than a crunchy cookie? Eggs, brown sugar and a fat mix of 50/50 butter and shortening are some of the ingredients that will help make a cookie chewier. Also, fluff the flour with a whisk before measuring it — too much flour will make a cookie dry.

What are 3 factors that contribute to a chewy cookie? ›

  • Brown sugar is key. Brown sugar has molasses in it which is like a more liquid ingredient. ...
  • Use baking soda / powder. It helps give your cookie a little rise which makes the center a little more chewy/cakey hence sort.
  • Freeze your cookie dough before scooping.
May 17, 2018

What is the best flour for chewy cookies? ›

If you're looking for a slightly chewier cookie, unbleached flour will be your best bet. Its slightly high protein content lends to cookies with a more substantial and rustic appearance.

What does brown sugar do in cookies? ›

Brown sugar, meanwhile, is dense and compacts easily, creating fewer air pockets during creaming—that means that there's less opportunity to entrap gas, creating cookies that rise less and spread more. With less moisture escaping via steam, they also stay moist and chewy.

Why do you put corn syrup in cookies? ›

So, when you mix corn syrup into your cookie batter, all of that moisture will make and keep your baked cookies deliciously tender. The texture of cookies benefits from corn syrup as well. As you combine your ingredients to make your cookie batter, corn syrup will pull some of the surrounding air into your batter.

Why do my chocolate chip cookies get hard so fast? ›

Don't Overbake! This isn't a revolutionary tip and is probably quite obvious, but if you leave your cookies in the oven for even a few minutes longer than necessary, the mix will dry too quickly and lead to more rigid, dry cookies.

Why do my chocolate chip cookies always get hard? ›

Hard cookies: you are over mixing, baking too long, baking at too high a temperature, or some combination of these. Cakey cookies: not enough brown sugar, too much or too little egg, too much flour, maybe you used baking powder instead of baking soda?

Why do my cookies get hard right after I bake them? ›

Cookies become hard when the moisture in them evaporates. This can be caused by leaving them out in the air for too long, baking them for too long, or storing them improperly.

What makes cookies soft and fluffy? ›

Baking soda

When added to dough, baking soda releases a carbon dioxide gas which helps leaven the dough, creating a soft, fluffy cookie. Baking soda is generally used in recipes that contain an acidic ingredient such as vinegar, sour cream or citrus.

Should I use baking soda or baking powder in cookies? ›

Baking soda is typically used for chewy cookies, while baking powder is generally used for light and airy cookies. Since baking powder is comprised of a number of ingredients (baking soda, cream of tartar, cornstarch, etc.), using it instead of pure baking soda will affect the taste of your cookies.

What determines the moistness of a cookie? ›

Butter contributes milk solids and water to a cookie, both of which soften it. Brown sugar contributes molasses – again, a softener. Using lower-moisture sugar (granulated) and fat (vegetable shortening), plus a longer, slower bake than normal, produces light, crunchy cookies.

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