Peanut Butter Brownie Swirl Cookies Recipe

Peanut Butter Brownie Swirl Cookies are a decadent dessert that brings together two beloved treats: peanut butter and brownies. These cookies are soft, chewy, and bursting with the rich flavors of chocolate and peanut butter. The swirl effect, where the peanut butter and brownie batter meld together, creates an eye-catching and mouthwatering cookie that will have everyone asking for the recipe. This dessert is perfect for any occasion, from a family gathering to a bake sale, or simply a treat to enjoy with a cup of coffee.

In this detailed recipe guide, we will walk you through every step of making these indulgent cookies, offering tips, techniques, and variations to make them your own. By the end of this guide, you’ll have a batch of irresistible Peanut Butter Brownie Swirl Cookies that are sure to impress.

Why You’ll Love These Cookies

• Two-In-One Delight: The combination of peanut butter and brownie in one cookie gives you the best of both worlds.
• Easy to Make: While they may look complex, the recipe is simple and doesn’t require any special techniques.
• Customizable: Adjust the ingredients based on your preferences—add extra chocolate chips, nuts, or even a drizzle of caramel.
• Perfect for Sharing: These cookies make a great treat to share with family and friends or bring to a party or gathering.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Peanut Butter Dough

1. Cream the butter and peanut butter: In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened butter and peanut butter. Use an electric mixer (or a hand whisk) to cream them together until smooth and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
2. Add sugars and egg: Add the granulated sugar and brown sugar to the butter mixture. Continue beating until light and fluffy, about 1-2 minutes. Add the egg and vanilla extract, and mix until fully incorporated.
3. Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Set the peanut butter dough aside.

Step 2: Prepare the Brownie Dough

1. Melt the butter and chocolate: In a medium saucepan or microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter and chocolate chips together over low heat, stirring constantly. Once melted, remove from heat and let it cool slightly.
2. Combine sugars and eggs: In a separate mixing bowl, combine the granulated sugar and brown sugar. Add the eggs and vanilla extract, and whisk until smooth.
3. Add chocolate mixture: Slowly pour the melted chocolate mixture into the egg mixture, whisking until smooth and glossy.
4. Add dry ingredients: Sift the flour, salt, and baking powder into the chocolate mixture. Stir until just combined. Fold in the remaining chocolate chips if you like an extra chocolatey texture.

Step 3: Assemble the Cookie Dough

1. Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent the cookies from sticking.
2. Scoop the dough: Using a cookie scoop or a tablespoon, scoop a portion of the peanut butter dough and a portion of the brownie dough. Roll each portion into a ball, then gently press them together, making sure they slightly meld but remain separate enough to maintain the swirl effect.
3. Place on the baking sheet: Arrange the dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Press each dough ball lightly with your fingers or the back of a spoon to flatten them slightly.

Step 4: Bake the Cookies

1. Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are golden brown, and the centers are set. The cookies may appear slightly soft in the center but will firm up as they cool.
2. Cool: Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes. Then, transfer the cookies to a cooling rack to cool completely.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

1. Serve: Once the cookies have cooled, they are ready to be served. Enjoy them with a glass of milk, a cup of coffee, or on their own as a delightful treat.

Tips for Success

• Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure your butter and eggs are at room temperature for a smoother dough. This helps the ingredients combine evenly and creates a more consistent cookie texture.
• Don’t Overmix: Overmixing the dough, especially after adding the dry ingredients, can result in tough cookies. Mix just until everything is combined.
• Chill the Dough: If you have time, chill both doughs in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before baking. This will help the cookies maintain their shape while baking and improve the texture.
• Extra Texture: For added crunch, consider mixing in some chopped peanuts or adding a pinch of sea salt on top of the cookies before baking.

Variations

1. Peanut Butter Swirl Brownie Bars

If you prefer a bar form rather than cookies, simply spread the peanut butter dough and brownie dough into a greased 9×13-inch baking pan. Swirl the two doughs together and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

2. Vegan Version

For a vegan version of these cookies, substitute the butter with plant-based butter and use a flaxseed egg replacement. Choose a dairy-free chocolate for the brownie batter.

3. Gluten-Free

To make these cookies gluten-free, use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend in both the peanut butter and brownie dough. Be sure to check that your chocolate chips are gluten-free as well.

4. Peanut Butter Cup Fillings

For an extra treat, you can insert mini peanut butter cups into the center of each cookie before baking. Simply press a mini peanut butter cup into the center of each dough ball before baking for an indulgent surprise in the middle.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use crunchy peanut butter?

Yes! Crunchy peanut butter will give the cookies more texture, adding a delightful crunch to every bite. If you prefer a smoother texture, stick with smooth peanut butter.

Can I freeze these cookies?

Yes, you can freeze the dough before baking or freeze the baked cookies. To freeze the dough, scoop it into cookie balls, place them on a baking sheet, and freeze until firm. Once frozen, transfer the dough balls to a freezer bag and store for up to 3 months. Bake from frozen by adding an extra minute or two to the baking time.

Can I make these cookies without the brownie swirl?

If you’re not a fan of the brownie swirl, you can make plain peanut butter cookies by skipping the brownie dough. Simply scoop and bake the peanut butter dough as directed.

Conclusion

Peanut Butter Brownie Swirl Cookies combine the best of two worlds: rich, fudgy brownies and creamy peanut butter, all in one delicious, chewy cookie. With their perfect balance of flavors, textures, and an irresistibly gooey center, these cookies are guaranteed to be a hit wherever you serve them. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or just indulging in a sweet treat for yourself, these cookies are sure to satisfy your cravings.

With easy-to-follow instructions, tips for success, and plenty of variations to make the recipe your own, you’re ready to make the ultimate peanut butter brownie cookies. Happy baking!

Yield: 24 Cookies

Peanut Butter Brownie Swirl Cookies Recipe

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Peanut Butter Brownie Swirl Cookies are a decadent dessert that brings together two beloved treats: peanut butter and brownies. These cookies are soft, chewy, and bursting with the rich flavors of chocolate and peanut butter. The swirl effect, where the peanut butter and brownie batter meld together, creates an eye-catching and mouthwatering cookie that will have everyone asking for the recipe. This dessert is perfect for any occasion, from a family gathering to a bake sale, or simply a treat to enjoy with a cup of coffee.

Prep Time 20 minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes

Ingredients

• For the Brownie Cookie Dough:
• ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• For the Peanut Butter Swirl:
• ¾ cup creamy peanut butter
• 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Prepare the Brownie Cookie Dough

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
2. Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the melted butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract. Stir until smooth.
3. Add Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and stir until fully combined.
4. Add Chocolate Chips: Fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips to the brownie cookie dough.

2. Prepare the Peanut Butter Swirl

1. Mix Peanut Butter: In a small bowl, whisk together the peanut butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and combined.
2. Swirl: Using a spoon, scoop small amounts of the peanut butter mixture and drop them onto the brownie cookie dough in random spots.

3. Swirl the Peanut Butter into the Dough

1. Swirl the Mixture: Use a toothpick, knife, or skewer to gently swirl the peanut butter into the brownie dough. Be careful not to mix it completely — you want to create a marbled effect, not fully incorporate the peanut butter.

4. Bake the Cookies

1. Scoop the Dough: Use a tablespoon or cookie scoop to drop rounded spoonfuls of the dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
2. Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges are set, but the centers are still soft. The cookies will continue to cook on the baking sheet once removed from the oven.
3. Cool: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

5. Serve and Enjoy

1. Serve: Once the cookies have cooled, they are ready to enjoy with a glass of milk or your favorite beverage.

Notes

• Freezing: You can freeze the dough for up to 3 months. Scoop the dough onto a baking sheet and freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag. Bake from frozen, adding an extra 2–3 minutes to the baking time.
• Peanut Butter Variations: If you prefer a crunchy texture, you can use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy for added texture in the swirl.