Description

These Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies combine rich cocoa with creamy peanut butter for a soft, chewy treat that’s perfect for any occasion. With a sweet brown sugar base and a hint of vanilla, these cookies offer a delightful balance of chocolate and nutty flavors, baked to perfection with a classic crisscross fork pattern.

Ingredients

Scale

Wet Ingredients

1/2 cup shortening (regular or butter flavor)
3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar
3 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 large egg

Dry Ingredients

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt

Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it reaches the proper temperature for baking the cookies evenly.
Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to blend the shortening, peanut butter, brown sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and well combined, providing a creamy base.
Add Egg: Add the large egg to the mixture and mix just until incorporated, ensuring the dough has structure without overmixing.
Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening agent and cocoa.
Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring gently until the dough forms a uniform consistency without overworking it.
Shape Dough: Scoop 1 to 1 1/2 inch balls of cookie dough and place them on an ungreased cookie sheet, spacing them adequately for spreading.
Create Crisscross Pattern: Use a fork to gently press down each dough ball, making a crisscross pattern on top, which helps flatten the cookies and adds a classic decorative touch.
Bake: Bake the cookies for 7-8 minutes, or until the edges are just set but the centers remain soft for a chewy texture.
Cool: Allow the cookies to cool on the cookie sheet for 2 minutes to firm up slightly, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely, preserving their texture.

Notes

Do not overbake; cookies may look slightly underdone but will firm up as they cool.
Using regular or butter-flavored shortening can subtly affect the flavor and texture.
Cookies can be stored in an airtight container for up to 5 days to maintain freshness.
For a crunchier cookie, bake an additional 1-2 minutes but watch closely to avoid burning.
Substitute milk with a dairy-free alternative to make the recipe lactose-free.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 8 minutes
Category: Desserts
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies, soft cookies, peanut butter dessert, easy cookie recipe, homemade cookies