If you adore the combination of rich peanut butter and decadent chocolate, then this Chocolate Dipped Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe will quickly become one of your all-time favorites. Imagine biting into a soft, chewy cookie with just the right balance of salty and sweet, crowned with a luscious half-dip of dark chocolate. These cookies bring together the perfect blend of textures and flavors, delivering that nostalgic satisfaction along with a gourmet twist that’s absolutely irresistible.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering simple, quality ingredients is all you need to make these peanut butter cookies truly shine. Each component plays a vital role, from the creamy peanut butter that ensures a tender bite to the dark chocolate chips adding a rich, bittersweet finish.
- 1 ⅛ cup all-purpose flour: The foundation for a tender, yet sturdy cookie structure.
- 1 cup peanut butter chips: Brings bursts of peanut butter flavor in every bite.
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter: Adds moisture and deep nutty richness.
- ½ cup butter (softened): Creates a soft crumb and buttery taste.
- ½ cup light brown sugar (packed): Provides a hint of molasses and moisture.
- ½ cup white sugar: For sweetness and slight crispness on the edges.
- 1 cup dark chocolate chips (Ghirardelli 72% recommended): Delivers a smooth, intense chocolate coating.
- 1 egg + 1 egg yolk: Binds ingredients while keeping cookies soft.
- 1 Tbsp vanilla extract: Enhances all flavors with warm vanilla notes.
- ½ tsp baking soda: Helps with gentle rise and light texture.
- ½ tsp baking powder: Adds a slight lift for the perfect cookie height.
- ½ tsp salt: Balances sweetness and intensifies flavors inside the dough.
- 3 Tbsp flake finishing salt: Sprinkled on top to add a crunchy salt burst and elevate the chocolate dip.
How to Make Chocolate Dipped Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prep the Oven and Baking Sheets
Begin by preheating your oven to 325 degrees. Next, line two to three baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats to ensure your cookies bake evenly and don’t stick. This simple prep makes cleanup effortless and keeps your cookies perfectly shaped.
Step 2: Cream the Butters and Sugars
In a stand mixer or a bowl with a handheld mixer, blend the softened butter, creamy peanut butter, light brown sugar, white sugar, vanilla extract, one whole egg, and an extra egg yolk. Mix on medium-high until the mixture lightens in color and becomes fluffy, around 4 to 5 minutes. This step is crucial for that airy, soft cookie texture you’ll love.
Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients and Mix In Chips
With your mixer off, add the all-purpose flour, salt, baking soda, and baking powder to the wet mixture. Switch back to low speed and mix gently until just combined — you want to avoid overmixing. Fold in the peanut butter chips for those delightful little pops of flavor that make every bite exciting.
Step 4: Portion and Bake the Cookies
Scoop dough mounds onto your prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart to give room for spreading. Bake for 6 minutes, then carefully drop the cookie tray onto your counter from around 5 inches high multiple times. This technique encourages the cookies to spread beautifully without losing their chewy center. After this, return them to the oven for another 3 to 4 minutes until they’re lightly colored but set.
Step 5: Cool and Repeat the Drop
When the cookies come out, drop the tray again 3 to 4 times to perfect their shape. Let them cool right on the tray so they hold their chewy texture. Cool completely before moving on to the chocolate dipping.
Step 6: Melt Chocolate and Dip Cookies
Gently melt your dark chocolate chips in a microwave-safe dish at 15-second intervals, stirring in between to avoid burning. Dip each cooled cookie halfway into the melted chocolate and immediately sprinkle with a pinch of flake finishing salt for an elegant salty crunch. Allow the chocolate to harden fully before enjoying or storing.
How to Serve Chocolate Dipped Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
Sprinkling flake finishing salt on the chocolate dip highlights the chocolate’s richness while balancing the sweetness of the cookie. For an extra touch, consider adding crushed peanuts or a drizzle of caramel over the chocolate before it sets for a stunning presentation and flavor boost.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair wonderfully with a cold glass of milk, a steaming cup of coffee, or even a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The creamy or bitter elements complement the peanut butter and chocolate, creating a dessert experience that’s pure bliss.
Creative Ways to Present
To impress guests, arrange the cookies on a rustic wooden board with fresh berries and mint leaves scattered around. You can also stack them into little towers, tied with a ribbon for gifting. The contrast between the rich chocolate and salty peanut butter chips makes them perfect for festive occasions or casual get-togethers.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your leftover cookies fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature. They maintain their soft texture and rich flavor for up to 5 days, perfect for enjoying throughout the week without losing any of their magic.
Freezing
You can freeze these cookies either before or after dipping them in chocolate. For best results, freeze them in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer to a sealed freezer bag. They’ll keep for up to 3 months — just thaw at room temperature when ready to relish again.
Reheating
If you want to experience them warm and gooey, reheat cookies gently in a microwave for about 10 to 15 seconds. This brings back that fresh-baked feeling and softens the chocolate slightly, without compromising texture.
FAQs
Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy?
Absolutely! Using crunchy peanut butter will add a nice texture to the cookies. Just be aware it may slightly change the softness, but the flavor will be fantastic.
What’s the purpose of dropping the cookie tray during baking?
This old-school baking trick encourages the cookies to spread evenly, preventing them from puffing up too much and helping achieve that perfect chewy texture with thin, crispy edges.
Can I substitute the dark chocolate chips with milk or white chocolate?
Yes, you can swap the dark chocolate for milk or white chocolate if you prefer a sweeter finish. Just keep in mind the salt garnish pairs best with darker chocolate to balance sweetness.
Is it necessary to add both baking soda and baking powder?
Combining both leavening agents creates a gentle, balanced rise for optimum cookie texture—soft yet structured. Omitting one might affect the cookie’s shape and chewiness.
How do I prevent the cookies from being too sweet?
The finishing salt sprinkled on the chocolate dip perfectly balances sweetness. Additionally, using dark chocolate chips instead of sweeter varieties keeps the overall cookie flavor well-rounded.
Final Thoughts
If you’re craving a cookie that truly hits all the notes of comfort, indulgence, and a gourmet twist, this Chocolate Dipped Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe is your ticket. From the chewy texture to the bittersweet chocolate and salty finish, every bite feels like a warm hug. Don’t hesitate to gather your ingredients and dive into this baking adventure — these cookies are guaranteed to become a beloved staple in your treat rotation!
Print
Chocolate Dipped Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 36 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Chocolate Dipped Peanut Butter Cookies combine the rich flavors of peanut butter and dark chocolate in a soft, chewy cookie. Enhanced with a sprinkle of finishing salt, these cookies offer a perfect balance of sweet, salty, and chocolatey goodness. Ideal for peanut butter lovers looking for a decadent yet simple homemade treat.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1 ⅛ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
Wet Ingredients
- ½ cup butter, softened
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter
- ½ cup light brown sugar, packed
- ½ cup white sugar
- 1 Tbsp vanilla extract
- 1 egg + 1 egg yolk
Additional Ingredients
- 1 cup peanut butter chips
- 1 cup dark chocolate chips (Ghirardelli 72% dark chocolate recommended)
- 3 Tbsp flake finishing salt
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for baking the cookies.
- Prepare Baking Sheets: Line two to three baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats to prevent sticking.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a stand mixer bowl or mixing bowl using a handheld mixer, combine softened butter, peanut butter, light brown sugar, white sugar, vanilla extract, 1 egg, and 1 egg yolk. Beat on medium-high speed for 4-5 minutes until the mixture lightens in color and becomes fluffy and airy.
- Add Dry Ingredients and Chips: Turn off the mixer and add flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda to the bowl. Mix on low speed until just combined. Fold in the peanut butter chips with one last mix.
- Scoop Dough: Using a spoon or cookie scoop, form mounds of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart as the cookies won’t spread much.
- Bake and Spread: Bake cookies for 6 minutes. Remove from the oven and quickly but firmly drop the cookie tray onto the counter from about 5 inches up to encourage spreading. Repeat this dropping 4-5 times. Return cookies to oven and bake for an additional 3-4 minutes. Cookies should remain light in color when done.
- Final Spread and Cooling: After removing from the oven, repeat the dropping process another 3-4 times to spread the cookies evenly, then let them cool on the tray.
- Melt Chocolate: Place dark chocolate chips in a microwave-safe dish and melt in 15-second intervals, stirring between intervals until smooth.
- Dip Cookies: Dip each cooled cookie halfway into the melted chocolate, then immediately sprinkle with a pinch of flake finishing salt. Allow chocolate to cool and harden completely.
- Storage and Serving: Best enjoyed the same day or next day. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days to maintain freshness.
Notes
- Dropping the cookie tray onto the counter helps the cookies spread evenly without overbaking.
- Using high-quality dark chocolate enhances the flavor of the cookies.
- Flake finishing salt adds a delightful contrast that enhances the sweet and savory balance.
- These cookies can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- For best results, let the chocolate dip fully set before serving.
