Chocolate Peanut Butter Filled Cookies

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

What’s not to love about the perfect pairing of chocolate and peanut butter? These cookies bring both flavors together in a way that’s nothing short of heavenly. The chocolate cookies are soft and chewy, while the peanut butter filling adds a delightful surprise in every bite. This recipe is easy to make and delivers a sweet, salty, and chocolatey treat that’s impossible to resist. They’re perfect for dessert, a special occasion, or simply a snack to enjoy with a cup of milk.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

For the cookie dough:

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

• 1/2 cup cocoa powder

• 1/2 tsp baking soda

• 1/4 tsp salt

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened

• 1 cup granulated sugar

• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar

• 1 large egg

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• 1/4 cup milk

For the peanut butter filling:

• 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter

• 1/4 cup powdered sugar

• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened

• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Directions

1. Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.

2. Make the cookie dough: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside. In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together until creamy and well-combined. Add the egg and vanilla extract, beating until smooth. Gradually mix in the dry ingredients, adding a little at a time, until combined. Add the milk and mix until the dough comes together. The dough should be soft but not too sticky.

3. Prepare the peanut butter filling: In a small bowl, mix together the peanut butter, powdered sugar, softened butter, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy. If the mixture is too runny, add a little more powdered sugar until it thickens up.

4. Form the cookies: Take about 1 tablespoon of cookie dough and flatten it slightly in your palm. Add about 1 teaspoon of the peanut butter filling in the center, then carefully wrap the dough around the filling and roll it into a ball. Place the dough balls onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.

5. Flatten the cookies: Use a fork or the back of a spoon to gently press down on each dough ball, flattening it slightly and creating a criss-cross pattern.

6. Bake the cookies: Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies are set but the centers are still soft. Be careful not to overbake as the cookies will firm up once cooled.

7. Cool the cookies: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

8. Serve: Enjoy these cookies once they have cooled, or store them in an airtight container to keep them fresh.

Servings and Timing

• Servings: This recipe makes about 18-20 cookies.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes

• Cook Time: 12 minutes

• Total Time: 35 minutes

Variations

• Use chunky peanut butter: If you prefer a bit of crunch in your cookies, swap the creamy peanut butter for chunky peanut butter for added texture.

• Add chocolate chips: For extra chocolatey goodness, fold in some chocolate chips into the cookie dough before baking.

• Peanut butter substitutes: If you’re allergic to peanuts, you can use almond butter, sunflower seed butter, or any other nut or seed butter as a filling substitute.

• Salted caramel filling: For a different twist, try using a salted caramel filling instead of peanut butter for a sweet and salty contrast.

Storage/Reheating

• Storage: Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.

• Freezing: You can freeze the dough balls before baking. Just place them on a baking sheet and freeze them until firm, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. When ready to bake, bake directly from frozen, adding an extra 2-3 minutes to the baking time.

• Reheating: To reheat the cookies, microwave them for 10-15 seconds, or place them in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for a few minutes until warm.

FAQs

1. Can I use almond butter instead of peanut butter?

Yes, you can use almond butter or any other nut butter, but the flavor will be slightly different.

2. Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dough and refrigerate it for up to 3 days. Allow the dough to come to room temperature before rolling it into balls.

3. Can I freeze these cookies?

Yes, you can freeze the baked cookies for up to 3 months. Store them in a freezer-safe container or bag to keep them fresh.

4. How do I know when the cookies are done baking?

The cookies should be set at the edges but soft in the center. They will firm up as they cool.

5. Can I use a different type of sugar?

Yes, you can use coconut sugar or a sugar substitute, but the texture and flavor might vary slightly.

6. How do I prevent the peanut butter filling from leaking out?

Be sure to completely seal the cookie dough around the peanut butter filling. You can also freeze the dough balls for 10 minutes before baking to help keep the filling from melting during baking.

7. Can I add more peanut butter filling?

If you prefer more peanut butter in each cookie, you can add a little extra filling, but make sure the dough is thick enough to hold it in.

8. Can I use milk chocolate instead of cocoa powder?

Yes, you can use milk chocolate or dark chocolate if you prefer, but the taste and texture of the cookies will be slightly different from using cocoa powder.

9. Can I make these cookies gluten-free?

Yes, you can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend to make these cookies gluten-free.

10. Can I use a cookie scoop to portion the dough?

Yes, a cookie scoop works great for making uniform dough balls, making the process quicker and easier.

Conclusion

These Chocolate Peanut Butter Filled Cookies are a perfect treat for anyone who loves the classic combo of chocolate and peanut butter. The soft, chewy chocolate cookies are the perfect vessel for the creamy peanut butter center, creating a sweet, salty, and utterly delicious snack. Whether you’re baking them for a special occasion or just to satisfy your sweet tooth, these cookies are sure to be a hit!