These Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies are melt-in-your-mouth soft; full of rich, creamy peanut butter and sprinkled with a blend of rich chocolate chips.
I totally had a healthy recipe ready for you guys today. I did. Then, I realized that this was tax week.
And, after a big “Ugh”…I realized that what we really needed was a batch of soft, warm and totally soothing Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies to help make us feel better.
Do you ever feel like that after you’ve signed your tax returns?
So cookies were definitely the order of the day. And given that this recipe made 54 of them 🙂 I’m sure there are plenty of cookies to keep our mind off the fact that it’s time for us to pay up.
At least that’s what I’m telling myself. How do you console yourself during tax time?
Because, if it’s eating cookies, just know that I’m on my way over!
This soul-soothing recipe combines my absolute favorite Peanut Butter Cookie recipe, which uses The Whole Jar Of Peanut Butter Cookies and adds nearly 2 cups of decadent, rich chocolate chips.
We are both fans of Peanut Butter (hello lovely Jif!) and the chocolate chips make The Husband really happy because he’s crazy about chocolate. And with this recipe, we both win!
But, I want to warn you…this cookie batter is very moist, so if you’re looking for Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies with the traditional fork criss-cross on the top, you won’t find it here.
With these, you just pat them with the fork and it will make a decorative, subtle, flattened top in the form of gentle peaks, not the standard issue criss-cross we all know and love.
However, the lack of a criss-cross pattern doesn’t make them any less tasty.
And, if you want to give some of them as gift – you can easily tie them with a bit of Baker’s Twine and put them in a cute gift giving bag. The subtle, decorative pattern on the top will be completely lost by the dazzle of your darling packaging. Problem solved!
So now, I have a question for you guys. In researching the various Peanut Butter Cookie recipes, I wondered why you are supposed to criss-cross the tops with a fork. Forgive me, but I’m super curious by nature. 🙂
And I read all kind of responses.
- “…because my mom did.”
- “…because it flattens the cookies and let’s them bake more evenly.”
- “..so you could tell the PB cookies from other similar looking brown cookies, sort of like the markings on fine chocolates.”
But Wikipedia provides a great explanation for Baking Patterns and the history of the criss-cross on Peanut Butter Cookies. It’s worth a read, because they didn’t start out that way! And, it’s the 1st time I’ve ever heard of a cookie shovel! Who knew?
Enjoy!
Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup real unsalted butter softened
- 1 cup white sugar
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 egg yolk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract
- 2 cups chunky or creamy peanut butter
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cups dark chocolate chips
- 3/4 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, cream together butter, white sugar, and brown sugar until smooth. Add the eggs, egg yolk, and vanilla; mix until fluffy. Stir in peanut butter. Sift together the flour, baking soda, and salt; fold into the peanut butter mixture. Fold in dark chocolate and semi-sweet chocolate chips.
- Roll dough into walnut sized balls, or use a cookie scoop. Place cookies on the prepared cookie sheet and flatten slightly, criss-crossing with a fork. Bake for 10 minutes in the preheated oven.
- Cookies should look dry on top. Allow to cool for a few minutes on the cookie sheet before removing to cool completely on a rack.
marcie says
The only thing better than plain peanut butter cookies is PB & chocolate chip! No matter about the criss-cross pattern — I’ll eat them too fast to notice anyway! These look amazing, and the perfect way to take on Tax Day. haha Love that twine, too! 🙂
Kristi says
Thanks Marcie! I love PB & Chocolate too. That twine wouldn’t have a chance with me – I want those cookies! xoxo
Jean | DelightfulRepast.com says
Kristi, the chocolate chips would make *my* husband happy, too, but I’d leave them out of half a batch so *I* could be happy, too! I want to find out how we’d both like a soft peanut butter cookie.
Kristi says
Perfect Jean – I am all for the half-and-half and pleasing everybody! Have a great week!
Laura Vasquez says
Sounds great. I’ll give them a try and get back to you. Thanks.
Kristi says
Great! Have a fabulous week Laura!
Marissa | Pinch and Swirl says
You’re right – tax week calls for cookies! And peanut butter chocolate chip cookies are a favorite of mine. Yum!
Kristi says
So glad you like them Marissa! Tax week takes some special recipes for sure. 🙂
Manali @ CookWithManali says
Cookie shovel? Lol now that’s new! The cookies look amazing Kristi, you know I am such a huge PB-Chocolate fan so I am drooling over these! Pass me some! I am sure they were able to make you happy during tax time, cookies always work!
Kristi says
I know, right Manali? I’ve never heard of a cookie shovel either! I’m so glad you like these. You need to come over so that we can eat PB together. It’s only right since you are so close to me!
Alyssa @ My Sequined Life says
Peanut butter and chocolate sounds like the peeeerfect combo to deal with anything remotely tax-related, Kristi! These cookies look awesome.
Kristi says
Haha! I thought so too Alyssa. Signing that check and those returns is not fun. Pass the cookies. LOL.
Thalia @ butter and brioche says
Nothing gets better than a classic peanut butter and chocolate chip cookie. I can imagine how delicious these must have tasted Kristi!
Kristi says
They were awesome Thalia – and perfect for this tax paying week! Have a great week, my friend!
Jess @ Flying on Jess Fuel says
Oh man, taxes are the worst! These cookies definitely make it better, though. 🙂 They sound delish! And 54… holy smokes, I’d be in trouble!
Kristi says
I know, right? Inevitable, but not fun. Cookies *must* make an appearance. And, I don’t know about you, but 54 is just about right to sooth my crying. Haha!
Sarah @Whole and Heavenly Oven says
PB and chocolate in the same sentence is always a yes for me! I’m swooning over here over how soft and ultra-chewy these babies look, Kristi! PB cookie perfection. 🙂
Kristi says
Me too Sarah! My mouth is watering just thinking about it. Sadly though, they are gone already. 🙂
Cecilia says
Hi Kristi, this is just a classic. I love it! And : cookie shovel, well, I think I will read that post 🙂 Thank you for sharing.
Kristi says
Haha! I’m with you Cecilia! I had *never* heard of a cookie shovel. For some reason, I like it. I think it means you get LOTS and LOTS of cookies, and I’m totally down with that! 🙂
Ashley @ Wishes & Dishes says
Just did my taxes last night and yes, I could definitely use a big plate of these cookies!
Kristi says
Me too Ashley. Tax time is always a test of patience. I wish they’d pay me sometimes – haha!
Kelly says
Cookies are the best way to deal with tax time especially peanut butter and chocolate! These look fabulous and since this batch made 54 of them, please feel free to send 40 my way 😉 Great question! I always thought it was to flatten out the cookies too and it makes them look pretty at the same time – haha to the cookie shovel 🙂
Kristi says
Hahaha! 54 cookies could never be enough for tax time Kelly. Now if the tax people want to give me $$$ back, I’ll make *them* 54 cookies! Haha! What a nice thought. Have a great week dear!
Izzy @ She likes food says
Haha, tax week totally needs cookies like this instead of anything healthy! Even though we have someone else do our taxes, it always seems like such a big pain! I’m for any and all things with chocolate and peanut butter and these cookies sound amazing!
Kristi says
Isadora, I have someone else do my taxes too – the problem is, the check I have to write! Haha! THAT is the painful part. 🙂 I need me some cookies – LOTS of them.
Monica says
“Really moist” peanut butter chocolate chip cookies are exactly my kind of cookie! These are way better than the traditional criss-cross marked ones, I’m sure! Love making a huge batch of something like this – you can share the love with so many grateful people!
Kristi says
Thanks Monica! I love PB in nearly any form – so of course, I was all over these!
Mary Frances says
Huh I always just thought it was so you could tell the difference between cookies! Regardless, I love that criss cross pattern … especially when there are chocolate chips involved! A bakers dozen of these sounds about perfect right now!
Kristi says
Me too Mary Frances. Who knew? I’m always curious about things like that. Have a great weekend!
Connie says
I always feel so defeated after I file taxes. These peanut butter chocolate chip cookies would certainly perk me right up. I could use one or two…dozen right now.
Kristi says
I’m with you Connie. Taxes are a little exhausting! Have a great weekend.
Ashley says
haha I had to come read this post since we were clearly on the exact same wavelength earlier this week!! And cookies are definitely the way to deal with tax day! 🙂 These look so darn good. I want dessert so bad and have nothing in the house right now! Gah no fair!
Kristi says
Haha! I will send some to you Ashley, because it’s absolutely a crime to not have dessert in the house! Haha!
Erin @ Miss Scrambled Egg says
Kristi – I’m definitely drooling over these cookies. We’re huge peanut butter and chocolate fans in my house. I can’t wait to try this recipe out.
Kristi says
I am *so* with you Erin! We are huge PB & Chocolate fans, and I think I could eat it every day. 🙂
Lindsey @ American Heritage Cooking says
I should have known that Jiff would be your favorite too! Love these pb chocolate chip cookies! It has been way too long since I’ve even made a ccc! For shame! Pinned because clearly I need some of these in my life asap!
Kristi says
Yes, of course, my sistah. Thanks for the pin! Now get back to studying, so I can be all jealous at all the incredible dishes you are making!