Introduction

Chocolate Peanut Butter Swirl Cookies combine two classic flavors into one beautifully marbled treat. These cookies are soft, flavorful, and perfect for satisfying any sweet tooth. Easy to make and impressive to serve, they’re a must-try for cookie lovers.

The image shows a close-up of several round, swirled cookies neatly stacked on a white plate. Each cookie has two main layers mixed into a marbled pattern—one dark brown chocolate layer and one light tan peanut butter layer, both with a soft, slightly cracked texture. The swirling of these two colors creates a spiral effect on the top surface of each cookie. The plate sits on a white marbled textured surface, providing a clean and bright background. The focus is sharp on the front cookie, with the rest softly blurred behind it, giving a cozy and fresh-baked impression. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

Chocolate Dough:

1 cup all-purpose flour
¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon salt
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
½ cup granulated sugar
¼ cup brown sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Peanut Butter Dough:

¾ cup all-purpose flour
¼ teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
¼ cup granulated sugar
¼ cup brown sugar
½ cup creamy peanut butter
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two large baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
Step 2: For the chocolate dough, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl. In a large bowl, cream the softened butter with granulated sugar and brown sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract. Gradually mix in the dry ingredients until just combined, then set aside.
Step 3: For the peanut butter dough, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt in another medium bowl. In a large bowl, cream the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until fluffy. Add the peanut butter and mix until smooth. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract, then gradually incorporate the dry ingredients until just combined.
Step 4: Take equal portions of each dough (about 2 tablespoons each) and gently roll them together to create swirls without overmixing. Place the combined dough balls on the baking sheets about 2 inches apart.
Step 5: Bake for 10-12 minutes until the edges are set but the centers look slightly soft. Let cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Tips & Variations

Use room temperature butter and eggs for the best texture.
Work quickly and gently when combining the doughs to keep distinct swirls.
Use a cookie scoop for even-sized cookies and consistent baking.
Add mini chocolate chips to the peanut butter dough or chopped peanuts to the chocolate dough for extra texture.
If using natural peanut butter, adjust flour slightly to compensate for moisture.

Storage

Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. For longer storage, wrap each cookie individually in plastic wrap and freeze for up to three months. To keep cookies soft, place a slice of bread in the container. Warm slightly in the microwave for 10-15 seconds if they become stale.

How to Serve

A white plate holds a stack of round cookies with two colored swirls on each one. The cookies have dark brown chocolate dough mixed with light brown peanut butter dough. Each cookie shows a pattern where the two colors twist together in a spiral, creating a smooth, marbled effect on top. The cookies look soft and slightly cracked, with the peanut butter part showing a creamy texture and the chocolate part appearing rich and cake-like. The plate is set on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy?

Yes, crunchy peanut butter works well and adds extra texture. The cookies may spread a little less but will still taste delicious.

Why are my cookies spreading too much?

Usually, this happens when the butter is too warm or the dough is overmixed. Chilling the dough for 30 minutes before baking can help control spreading.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Swirl Cookies Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.7 from 89 reviews

These Chocolate Peanut Butter Swirl Cookies marry rich chocolate with creamy peanut butter in a beautifully swirled cookie that is soft, chewy, and packed with flavor. Perfect for satisfying sweet cravings or sharing at gatherings, they combine the best of both worlds in every bite.

Author: Ella
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 10-12 minutes per batch
Total Time: 45 minutes
Yield: 24 cookies 1x
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale

Chocolate Dough:

1 cup all-purpose flour
¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon salt
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
½ cup granulated sugar
¼ cup brown sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Peanut Butter Dough:

¾ cup all-purpose flour
¼ teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
¼ cup granulated sugar
¼ cup brown sugar
½ cup creamy peanut butter
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

Prepare for Baking: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two large baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even browning of the cookies.
Make the Chocolate Dough: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. In a separate large bowl, cream the softened butter with granulated and brown sugar for 3-4 minutes until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract. Gradually incorporate the dry ingredients until just combined. Set aside.
Prepare the Peanut Butter Dough: In another medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. In a large bowl, cream softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until fluffy. Add peanut butter and mix until smooth. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract. Gradually mix in the dry ingredients until just combined.
Create the Swirl Effect: Take equal portions of each dough (about 2 tablespoons each) and gently roll them together by hand, taking care not to overmix to maintain distinct swirls. Place the combined dough balls on the prepared baking sheets spaced about 2 inches apart.
Bake to Perfection: Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are set but centers appear slightly soft. Remove from oven and let cookies cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

For extra decadence, add mini chocolate chips to the peanut butter dough or chopped peanuts to the chocolate dough.
Natural peanut butter can be used, but you might need to slightly adjust the flour if dough becomes too wet.
Cookies freeze well; wrap individually in plastic wrap and store in freezer bags for up to 3 months.
The dough can be prepared ahead and refrigerated for up to 3 days before baking.

Keywords: Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies, Swirl Cookies, Chocolate Cookies, Peanut Butter Cookies, Baking, Dessert, Easy Cookie Recipe