These five-ingredient chocolate peanut butter cookies are oh-so-easy to make. Rich, fudgy and ready in 30 minutes, these treats are perfect for last-minute baking.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies
Updated on Sep. 04, 2024
Sometimes the most satisfying treats, like these chocolate peanut butter cookies, are the ones that come together with minimal effort. With just five simple ingredients and 20 minutes of prep, you can create over three dozen rich cookies that taste like they took a lot longer to make.
By cleverly combining chocolate fudge frosting and chunky peanut butter, we’ve created a cookie that’s both decadent and easy to whip up. Whether you’re a novice baker or an experienced one looking for a quick dessert fix, these cookies are perfect for busy days when you want something sweet without the fuss.
Ingredients for Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies
- Chocolate fudge frosting:Â Two 16-ounce cans of chocolate fudge frosting form the base of the cookie dough, providing a rich, fudgy flavor.
- Egg: One large egg helps bind the ingredients together. Make sure to bring the egg to room temperature before baking.
- Peanut butter: One cup of chunky peanut butter adds a crunch and nutty flavor to the cookies. Store-bought or homemade peanut butter will work here.
- Flour: All-purpose flour offers structure to the dough and helps make the cookies soft.
- Sugar: Granulated sugar is used to top the cookies before baking, adding a touch of sweetness and a slightly crunchy texture to the exterior.
Directions
Step 1: Prepare the frosting
Preheat the oven to 375°F. Reserve one can plus 1/3 cup of chocolate fudge frosting to top the cookies later.
Step 2: Mix the wet ingredients
In a large bowl, mix the egg, peanut butter and remaining frosting until well blended. Gradually stir in the all-purpose flour until just moistened and no dry flour is visible.
Step 3: Shape the cookies
Drop the dough by rounded tablespoonfuls two inches apart onto greased baking sheets. Flatten each cookie with a fork dipped in sugar, creating a classic crisscross pattern on top.
Step 4: Bake
Bake the cookies for seven to nine minutes or until set. Remove them from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring to wire racks to cool completely.
Editor’s Tip: The cookies should be removed from the oven when they’re set around the edges but still slightly soft in the center.
Step 5: Frost
Spread the reserved chocolate fudge frosting on top of each of the cooled cookies.
Recipe Variations
- Add chocolate chips:Â For an extra burst of chocolate, stir in a cup of chocolate chips to the dough.
- Top with chopped nuts:Â For added crunch and flavor, sprinkle chopped peanuts, almonds or pecans on top of the frosting.
- Use a hazelnut spread: Swap out the peanut butter with chocolate-hazelnut butter for a creamy and nutty twist.
- Drizzle with caramel:Â Add a drizzle of caramel sauce on top of the frosted cookies for a decadent touch.
- Make it minty:Â Add 1/4 teaspoon of peppermint extract to the cookie dough for a fun holiday twist.
How to Store Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies
Store leftovers of these chocolate peanut butter cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks. Storing them in the fridge increases their shelf life—they’ll stay fresh for up to two months.
Can you freeze chocolate peanut butter cookies?
Yes, you can freeze chocolate peanut butter cookies—minus the frosting. Place the cooled cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Transfer to freezer-safe containers or zip-top bags and store for up to eight months. Thaw at room temperature and frost with chocolate frosting before serving.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookie Tips
How do you prevent the chocolate peanut butter cookies from spreading?
If you struggle with perpetually spread-out cookies, your dough is likely too soft. Chill it in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before baking. If that doesn’t work, take a deeper dive into tips to prevent the cookies from spreading.
What’s the best way to measure chunky peanut butter for this recipe?
Spraying the measuring cup with non-stick cooking spray before adding the peanut butter prevents it from sticking to the cup. It will slide out easily, allowing you to get the full measured amount into your dough.
Can you use different types of frosting for chocolate peanut butter cookies?
Feel free to experiment with different frosting flavors! Use vanilla frosting or homemade caramel frosting for an unexpected twist on these classic five-ingredient cookies.
How can you ensure uniform cookie size for chocolate peanut butter cookies?
Using a cookie scoop to portion out the dough ensures that all the cookies are the same size and will also help them bake evenly.
What type of peanut butter works best for chocolate peanut butter cookies?
While chunky peanut butter adds a quintessential crunch to these cookies, you can swap it out with smooth peanut butter if you prefer a creamier texture. Avoid natural peanut butter as its high oil content can can cause the cookies to spread too much while baking.
Chocolate Fudge Peanut Butter Cookies
Prep Time
20 min
Cook Time
10 min
Yield
3-1/2 dozen
Ingredients
- 2 cans (16 ounces each) chocolate fudge frosting, divided
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 1 cup chunky peanut butter
- 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- Sugar
Directions
- Preheat oven to 375°. Reserve 1 can plus 1/3 cup frosting for topping cookies. In a large bowl, mix egg, peanut butter and remaining frosting until blended. Stir in flour just until moistened.
- Drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls 2 in. apart onto greased baking sheets. Flatten with a fork dipped in sugar.
- Bake until set, 7-9 minutes. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool completely. Spread with reserved frosting.
Nutrition Facts
1 cookie: 143 calories, 7g fat (1g saturated fat), 5mg cholesterol, 79mg sodium, 18g carbohydrate (12g sugars, 1g fiber), 2g protein.
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These tempting fudgy cookies need only five ingredients—what could be easier? The melt-in-your-mouth goodies go over big with kids and make a fantastic pick-me-up for adults. —Elaine Stephens, Carmel, Indiana
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