Peanut Butter Brownie Swirl Cookies Recipe
If you love the marriage of rich chocolate and creamy peanut butter, you’re about to meet your new favorite treat: Peanut Butter Brownie Swirl Cookies. Each bite captures the best of both worlds, with ribbons of fudgy cocoa-laced dough tangled up with peanut buttery goodness, all nestled into one irresistible cookie. These are perfect for cookie swaps, comfort-food cravings, or anytime you want something that looks as beautiful as it tastes!
Ingredients You’ll Need
You don’t need a mile-long shopping list for these Peanut Butter Brownie Swirl Cookies—just a handful of pantry staples and a pinch of baking magic. Every ingredient brings something delightful, whether it’s lift, softness, flavor, or that swoon-worthy swirl.
- Unsalted Butter (½ cup, softened): Adds richness and helps create a tender crumb for both swirled doughs.
- Granulated Sugar (½ cup): Sweetens and gives structure to the cookies while helping them spread just right.
- Brown Sugar (½ cup, packed): Brings a touch of moisture and caramel undertone no one can resist.
- Creamy Peanut Butter (½ cup): Offers signature flavor and a creamy texture that melts into every bite—use crunchy for extra texture if you like!
- Large Egg (1): Binds everything together for a tender, chewy base.
- Vanilla Extract (1 teaspoon): Infuses a warm, cozy aroma behind the scenes.
- All-Purpose Flour (1¼ cups): Lays the foundation, giving structure and body to the dough.
- Baking Soda (½ teaspoon): Helps the cookies puff up and stay soft inside.
- Salt (¼ teaspoon): Balances the sweet and deepens the peanut butter and chocolate notes.
- Unsweetened Cocoa Powder (⅓ cup): Turns half of our cookie dough gloriously chocolatey for that brownie-like swirl.
- Milk (2 tablespoons): Loosens up the brownie half just enough to keep things moist and marbled.
- Mini Chocolate Chips (⅓ cup, optional): Dot the tops for gooey, melty puddles and a bit of chocolate drama.
How to Make Peanut Butter Brownie Swirl Cookies
Step 1: Preheat and Prep
Set yourself up for success by preheating your oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper so your cookies bake evenly and never stick. It makes cleanup a total breeze, too!
Step 2: Cream the Butter, Sugars, and Peanut Butter
In a large bowl, use a hand mixer (or a sturdy spoon and some elbow grease) to beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and peanut butter until the mixture is silky-smooth and lighter in color. This is where your cookies get their tender base and iconic peanutty flavor.
Step 3: Add Egg and Vanilla
Crack in the egg and drizzle in that vanilla extract, then mix again until everything is happily combined. This step ensures your cookies hold together and have that perfect, chewy texture.
Step 4: Mix the Dry Ingredients
Take a separate bowl and whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Adding these together ensures the soda and salt are spread throughout the dough for even flavor and just the right lift.
Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry
Gradually add your dry ingredients to the peanut butter mixture, mixing until just combined. At this stage, you’ll have a soft and cohesive dough that already smells amazing!
Step 6: Make the Brownie Half
Divide the dough in half. To one bowl, add the cocoa powder and milk, and mix until you have a rich, chocolatey dough. Now you have your peanut butter and your brownie ready to come together!
Step 7: Swirl It Up!
Pinch off small amounts of each dough and twist, swirl, or gently press them together into 1½-inch balls—don’t overdo it so you still get those gorgeous marbled patterns. For bolder swirls, chill the doughs for 15 minutes first.
Step 8: Shape, Top, and Bake
Arrange your dough balls on the prepared baking sheets, flatten them slightly, and if you’re feeling extra, press a few mini chocolate chips on top. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, just until the edges are set but the centers are still soft (this is the magic chewy zone).
Step 9: Cool and Enjoy
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before gently transferring them to a wire rack. This short rest helps them set up and means you get perfect, just-hold-together treats every time.
How to Serve Peanut Butter Brownie Swirl Cookies
Garnishes
A little flourish goes a long way! For truly bakery-worthy Peanut Butter Brownie Swirl Cookies, sprinkle a pinch of flaky sea salt or add an extra dusting of cocoa powder just before serving. You can also drizzle them with melted peanut butter or dark chocolate for those over-the-top moments.
Side Dishes
These cookies are absolutely dreamy alongside a tall glass of cold milk, a hot cappuccino, or a rich chocolate milkshake. Pair them with a scoop of vanilla or peanut butter ice cream to turn dessert into an event. They’re also stellar served with fresh strawberries for a sweet-and-fruity bite.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties, stack Peanut Butter Brownie Swirl Cookies on a rustic wooden board with fresh berries or tuck them inside decorative jars tied with colorful ribbons for sharable gifts. Mini versions make for lovely cookie platter additions or can be sandwiched with a scoop of ice cream for festive cookie sandwiches!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any extra Peanut Butter Brownie Swirl Cookies tightly covered in an airtight container at room temperature and they’ll stay soft for up to 5 days. Pop in a slice of bread to help keep them extra chewy—trust me, it really works!
Freezing
These cookies freeze beautifully! Once cooled, layer them with parchment paper in a freezer-safe container. They’ll keep their texture and flavor for up to 2 months, ready whenever your sweet tooth strikes.
Reheating
When you’re craving that just-baked warmth, microwave a cookie for 8 to 10 seconds for a gooey treat. If you’re reheating several, pop them in a 300°F oven for about 4 minutes, and you’ll swear they just came out of the oven.
FAQs
Can I use natural peanut butter instead of creamy?
Natural peanut butter is less uniform and can make the dough a bit oily or crumbly, but it works in a pinch! Stir well before measuring and be prepared for slightly different texture.
How do I get the best swirl effect?
For dramatic, bakery-style marbling, lightly chill both doughs before swirling and don’t over-mix when combining—just a couple of quick twists and presses will create perfect swirls.
Can I make Peanut Butter Brownie Swirl Cookies gluten-free?
Absolutely! Swap in your favorite gluten-free all-purpose blend, just make sure it contains xanthan gum or add a pinch yourself to keep the cookies tender.
What’s the best way to store the dough if I want to bake later?
Shape your dough balls and freeze them raw on a baking sheet. Once they’re firm, transfer to a freezer bag. You can bake straight from frozen—just add a minute or two to the bake time!
Is it necessary to use mini chocolate chips?
Not at all! They’re totally optional, but add delightful pops of gooey chocolate. Regular chips or even peanut butter chips are tasty alternatives.
Final Thoughts
I can’t recommend these Peanut Butter Brownie Swirl Cookies enough—they’re the kind of treat that brings a little extra joy to any day. Whether you bake a batch for friends or savor them quietly with a cup of coffee, you’re in for a wonderfully sweet (and swirly) adventure. Give them a try soon!
Print
Peanut Butter Brownie Swirl Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 32 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the perfect blend of rich chocolate and creamy peanut butter with these delectable Peanut Butter Brownie Swirl Cookies. Each bite offers a delightful mix of flavors and textures that will have you reaching for seconds.
Ingredients
For Peanut Butter Dough:
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar, packed
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
For Brownie Dough:
- ⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 tablespoons milk
- ⅓ cup mini chocolate chips (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Mix wet ingredients: In a large bowl, beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and peanut butter until smooth. Add the egg and vanilla, mix until fully combined.
- Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add dry ingredients to peanut butter mixture.
- Create brownie dough: Divide the dough in half. To one half, add cocoa powder and milk, mix until smooth.
- Form swirl cookies: Take small amounts of each dough, twist or press them together into balls. Flatten slightly and place on baking sheets.
- Bake: Press mini chocolate chips on top if desired. Bake for 10–12 minutes until edges are set. Cool on the pan before transferring to a rack.
Notes
- For more distinct swirls, chill both doughs for 15 minutes before combining.
- You can use crunchy peanut butter for added texture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 160
- Sugar: 11g
- Sodium: 95mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
