Chocolate Peanut Butter Swirl Cookies Recipe

Chocolate Peanut Butter Swirl Cookies Recipe Dreamy Fusion

Sweet meets savory in these irresistible chocolate peanut butter swirl cookies that dance with decadent flavor.

Mixing rich cocoa and creamy peanut butter creates a magical combination you can’t resist.

Soft, chewy textures mingle in each delightful bite, promising pure indulgence.

Subtle swirls of chocolate and peanut butter create mesmerizing patterns across the cookie surface.

Childhood memories of classic flavor pairings burst through with every single morsel.

Quick to prepare and even faster to disappear, these cookies will become your new obsession.

One taste, and you’ll understand why these swirled delights are impossible to put down.

Ingredients for Chocolate Peanut Butter Swirl Cookies

Cookie Base:
  • All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and texture for the cookie dough.
  • Unsalted Butter: Adds richness and helps create a tender cookie.
  • Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Sweetens and helps with cookie caramelization.
  • Large Eggs: Binds ingredients and adds moisture.
  • Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor profile.
Filling and Swirl:
  • Creamy Peanut Butter, Powdered Sugar: Creates a smooth, sweet peanut butter filling that swirls beautifully through the cookie.
Chocolate Elements:
  • Cocoa Powder: Delivers rich chocolate flavor and dark color.
  • Chocolate Chips: Provides extra chocolate bursts and melty texture.
Additional Ingredients:
  • Baking Soda: Helps cookies rise and spread.
  • Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances other flavors.

How to Bake Chocolate and PB Swirl Cookies

Whip Up Creamy Peanut Butter Filling

Mix the following ingredients until smooth and creamy:
  • Peanut butter
  • Powdered sugar

Blend thoroughly to create a consistent, velvety mixture that will become the heart of your delightful cookies.

Set the filling aside while you prepare the cookie base.

Prepare the Chocolate Cookie Dough

Gather these ingredients for your chocolate base:
  • All-purpose flour
  • Cocoa powder
  • Baking soda
  • Salt
  • Unsalted butter
  • Granulated sugar
  • Brown sugar
  • Egg
  • Vanilla extract

Cream the butter and both sugars together until light and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla, mixing until well combined. In a separate bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients. Gradually incorporate the dry mixture into the wet ingredients, creating a rich chocolate dough.

Create Cookie Magic

Scoop out portions of the chocolate dough and flatten each into a small disc. Place a dollop of the peanut butter filling in the center of each disc. Carefully fold the chocolate dough around the filling, sealing it completely.

Bake and Transform

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Place the filled cookie balls on a lined baking sheet, leaving space between each cookie. Bake for 10-12 minutes until the edges are set but the centers remain slightly soft.

Cool and Enjoy

Remove cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. The filling will set, creating a delightful surprise inside each chocolatey bite.

Optional Finishing Touch

Once cooled, you can drizzle melted chocolate or sprinkle powdered sugar over the top for an extra touch of indulgence.

  • Smooth Out Perfectly: Whisk peanut butter and powdered sugar until completely free of lumps for a silky, spreadable consistency.
  • Chill for Success: Refrigerate the peanut butter mixture for 15-20 minutes to make swirling easier and prevent messy spreading during baking.
  • Swirl Like a Pro: Use a toothpick or thin knife to create beautiful marble-like swirls without overmixing the batters.
  • Temperature Matters: Let cookie dough sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before swirling to ensure even blending and optimal texture.
  • Prevent Sticking Tricks: Line baking sheet with parchment paper or silicone mat to keep cookies from clinging and make clean-up a breeze.

Keeping These Cookies Fresh

  • Store cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
  • Wrap individual cookies tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag for up to 3 months for longer preservation.
  • Keep cookies at room temperature in a sealed container, enjoying optimal texture and flavor within 2-3 days.
  • Warm cookies briefly in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or in a preheated oven at 300°F for 3-4 minutes to restore softness and enhance flavors.

Tasty Pairings for Swirl Cookies

  • Blend cold milk with extra peanut butter and a drizzle of chocolate syrup to complement the rich, sweet cookie flavors.
  • Brew a strong espresso or dark roast coffee that cuts through the cookie's sweetness and enhances the chocolate and peanut butter notes.
  • Serve a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream alongside the warm cookies to create a delightful temperature and flavor contrast.
  • Choose unsweetened almond milk to provide a nutty undertone that harmonizes with the peanut butter while balancing the chocolate's richness.

Creative Add-Ins to Try for These Cookies

  • Gluten-Free Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies: Replace regular flour with almond flour or gluten-free blend to accommodate celiac or gluten-sensitive individuals.
  • Vegan Chocolate Swirl Cookies: Swap butter with coconut oil, use plant-based chocolate chips, and replace peanut butter with sunflower seed butter for those avoiding animal products.
  • Low-Sugar Alternative: Substitute powdered sugar with monk fruit sweetener or stevia to reduce overall sugar content for diabetic-friendly option.
  • Nut-Free Version: Use sunflower seed butter instead of peanut butter and ensure all chocolate is nut-free certified for those with nut allergies.
  • Can I use natural peanut butter for this recipe?

Yes, but stir it well and drain any excess oil before mixing with powdered sugar to ensure a smooth consistency.

  • How do I create the perfect swirl effect in the cookies?

Use a toothpick or small knife to gently swirl the peanut butter mixture into the chocolate cookie dough, creating a marbled pattern without overmixing.

  • Is it okay to substitute ingredients if I have allergies?

You can replace peanut butter with sunflower seed butter for a nut-free alternative, and use dairy-free chocolate if needed.

  • What's the best way to prevent the cookies from spreading too much during baking?

Chill the cookie dough for at least 30 minutes before baking, which helps maintain the shape and prevents excessive spreading.

Why Chocolate Peanut Butter Swirl Cookies Always Win

  • Combine simple ingredients that children can help mix, creating a fun family bonding activity in the kitchen.
  • Blend classic chocolate and peanut butter for a crowd-pleasing combination that satisfies both young and adult taste buds.
  • Requires basic pantry ingredients and straightforward mixing technique, making it accessible for bakers of all skill levels.
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Chocolate Peanut Butter Swirl Cookies Recipe

Chocolate Peanut Butter Swirl Cookies Recipe


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4.6 from 24 reviews

  • Total Time: 55 minutes
  • Yield: 24 1x

Description

Classic chocolate peanut butter swirl cookies blend rich cocoa with creamy peanut butter in a mesmerizing marble design. Irresistible bites promise delightful indulgence that melts seamlessly, leaving you craving another sweet, perfectly balanced treat.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • ⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • ⅓ cup creamy peanut butter

Sugar Components:

  • ¾ cup brown sugar
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons powdered sugar

Wet Ingredients and Binding Agents:

  • ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ¼ teaspoon salt

Instructions

  1. Thoroughly blend peanut butter with powdered sugar in a small mixing vessel, creating a uniform, silky consistency that will serve as the swirl element for the cookies.
  2. Transfer the prepared peanut butter mixture to a separate container and allow it to rest while preparing the primary cookie dough.
  3. Cream together butter and granulated sugar in a large mixing bowl, whipping until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, signaling proper aeration.
  4. Incorporate eggs one at a time, ensuring complete integration after each addition to maintain a smooth batter texture.
  5. Sift together dry ingredients – flour, cocoa powder, and salt – in a separate bowl to eliminate potential lumps and guarantee even distribution.
  6. Gradually fold the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring gently to create a rich chocolate cookie dough without overmixing.
  7. Chill the prepared dough for approximately 30 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and preventing excessive spreading during baking.
  8. Preheat the oven and line baking sheets with parchment paper to ensure easy cookie removal and minimal sticking.
  9. Scoop chilled dough onto prepared sheets, creating uniform mounds with enough spacing to prevent merging during baking.
  10. Delicately swirl the reserved peanut butter mixture across the top of each cookie dough mound, using a toothpick or thin knife to create intricate marbled patterns.
  11. Bake in the preheated oven until edges appear set and centers maintain a slight softness, indicating perfect cookie texture.
  12. Remove from oven and allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack for complete cooling.

Notes

  • Ensure peanut butter mixture is at room temperature for easy swirling and smooth incorporation into cookie dough.
  • Create perfect swirl effect by gently dragging a toothpick or knife through the dollops of peanut butter on top of each cookie dough ball.
  • For gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend to maintain cookie texture and taste.
  • Chill cookie dough for 30 minutes before baking to prevent excessive spreading and maintain a thick, chewy cookie shape.
  • Prep Time: 25 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: None
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 24
  • Calories: 150
  • Sugar: 10 g
  • Sodium: 80 mg
  • Fat: 7 g
  • Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 20 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 3 g
  • Cholesterol: 15 mg
Jamie Granger

Jamie Granger

Recipe Developer & Food Writer

Expertise

  • Fusion Cuisine Development
  • Recipe Development and Food Styling
  • Culinary Writing and Content Creation
  • Nutrition and Healthy Cooking​

Education

Culinary Institute of America

  • Degree: Associate in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Emphasis on flavor development, classic and contemporary culinary techniques, menu design, and global cuisine preparation; combined with food-service management, communication, and finance training; and immersive hands‑on restaurant operations through paid industry internships.

Jamie Granger turns ingredients into memories. With her recipes, she brings a fusion-forward flair to every creation. 

Her dishes reflect the places she’s explored, the chefs she’s learned from, and the deep connection she has to food as a form of expression. 

At Pass and Provision, Jamie develops recipes that balance flavor, health, and beauty, meals that don’t just satisfy your appetite but speak to your curiosity.

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