Chocolate Peanut Butter Crinkle Cookies Recipe

If you’re on the hunt for a cookie that’s rich, chewy, and just downright addictive, you’ve got to try this Chocolate Peanut Butter Crinkle Cookies Recipe. I absolutely love how these cookies come out with that perfect mix of molten peanut butter and melty chocolate, all wrapped up in a soft, crinkly exterior. When I first made these, my family went crazy, and I’m betting you’ll feel the same once you get a bite!

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Ingredients You’ll Need

These ingredients come together to create a cookie that’s both rich and tender. The key is balancing the peanut butter’s creaminess with just enough sugar and flour, plus those sweet surprises like mini chocolate chips and classic chocolate kisses.

• Butter: Using room temperature butter helps everything cream smoothly for that perfect texture.
• Creamy peanut butter: I recommend the creamy kind because it blends better and makes the cookies melt-in-your-mouth.
• Light brown sugar: Adds a lovely caramel note and moisture to the dough.
• Granulated sugar: Balances sweetness and helps create those delicate edges.
• Egg: Acts as a binder and adds richness.
• Vanilla extract: Enhances the overall flavor beautifully.
• All-purpose flour: The base for structure—don’t skip the sifting step here for best results.
• Baking soda and baking powder: Together, they give the cookies a subtle lift without airiness.
• Salt: Balances the sweetness and boosts flavor.
• Mini chocolate chips: Tiny pockets of melty chocolate that complement the peanut butter perfectly.
• Powdered sugar: Mixed with peanut butter for coating, making a unique crinkle effect.
• Chocolate kisses: The star topping, melting into the warm cookies for an extra chocolate punch.

Variations

I’m all about making a recipe your own, so I love swapping things out or adding a little flair depending on the mood or occasion. This Chocolate Peanut Butter Crinkle Cookies Recipe is such a great base for creativity!

• Using chunky peanut butter: I once tried this variation to add a crunchy surprise inside, and my peanut butter fans absolutely loved it.
• Adding sea salt on top: The sweet and salty combo elevates the flavor, especially if you like a bit of contrast.
• Swapping chocolate chips for peanut butter chips: For an extra peanut butter punch, peanut butter chips work wonders too.
• Gluten-free flour blend: Easily make these cookies gluten-free by substituting with your favorite blend; just keep an eye on batter consistency.

How to Make Chocolate Peanut Butter Crinkle Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Get Your Oven and Pans Ready

First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). I like lining two baking sheets with parchment paper, so the cookies bake evenly and clean-up is a breeze. Trust me, parchment paper is a game changer here!

Step 2: Cream the Basics

In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat together the butter, half of your peanut butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until everything is fluffy and smooth. I always take a minute to scrape down the sides so there are no stubborn bits left unblended. Then, mix in the egg and vanilla until just combined.

Step 3: Mix Dry Ingredients & Combine

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Slowly add the dry mix to your wet ingredients and stir until just combined—don’t overmix! Finally, fold in the mini chocolate chips, which sneak in little pockets of chocolate goodness.

Step 4: Prepare the Peanut Butter Powdered Sugar Coating

In another medium bowl, combine the remaining peanut butter and powdered sugar. The mixture will be a little clumpy and moist—this is exactly what you want. Cover it and pop it in the fridge for at least 30 minutes, or you can prepare it up to 3 days ahead to save time!

Step 5: Roll, Coat, and Bake

Now, roll cookie dough into 2-teaspoon-sized balls. I find a cookie scoop really helps with this step. Next, roll each ball gently through the peanut butter powdered sugar mixture—you’ll notice it sticks nicely, giving the cookies their signature crinkle look. Space them about 2 inches apart on your baking sheet, then bake for 10–12 minutes. Keep a close eye—the edges should be set but the centers still soft; overbaking risks losing that chewy magic.

Step 6: Add the Kisses & Cool Down

As soon as the cookies come out of the oven, gently press one chocolate kiss into the center of each warm cookie. The heat softens the chocolate just right, creating a lovely melty center. Let them sit on the baking sheet for about 15 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. If you’re feeling fancy, you can drizzle some melted chocolate on top and sprinkle with sea salt for a final touch.

How to Serve Chocolate Peanut Butter Crinkle Cookies Recipe

Garnishes

I usually keep it simple with just the chocolate kiss, but when I want to dress them up, a light drizzle of melted dark chocolate and a pinch of flaky sea salt turns these into a decadent treat that’s perfect for sharing.

Side Dishes

These cookies are perfect with a cold glass of milk or a cup of hot coffee or tea. Honestly, I’ve served them alongside some fresh fruit for a little balance when guests come over, and it’s always a hit.

Creative Ways to Present

For holidays or parties, I’ve arranged these cookies on a pretty platter with extra chocolate kisses scattered around and added a sprig of fresh mint for a pop of color. You can also stack them with parchment paper in between as an adorable gift idea.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature—if sealed well, they stay fresh and chewy for up to a week, though they rarely last that long in my house!

Freezing

If you want to freeze them, I recommend freezing the dough balls before baking. Just roll them in the peanut butter powdered sugar mix, freeze on a baking sheet until firm, then transfer to a freezer bag. When you’re ready, bake straight from frozen, adding a couple of minutes to the bake time.

Reheating

To warm up leftover cookies, a few seconds in the microwave (about 10-15 seconds) or a quick zap in a warm oven will bring back that soft, just-baked feel—and the chocolate kiss gets deliciously gooey again.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Chocolate Peanut Butter Crinkle Cookies Recipe holds a special place in my baking repertoire because it’s one of those crowd-pleasers that’s surprisingly easy to pull off. Whether you’re baking for a party, a cozy night in, or just to treat yourself, this recipe hits all the right notes of flavor and texture. I hope you have as much fun making and eating these as I do – seriously, keep some milk handy, you’re going to want it!

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