The first time I baked these cookies, my kitchen smelled like a cross between a peanut butter factory and a candy shop—warm, nutty, and deeply sweet. I was trying to capture the perfect bite of a peanut butter cup in cookie form, and this recipe is the glorious result. They’re soft and chewy with a rich peanut butter base, loaded with melty pockets of chopped chocolate peanut butter cups in every bite. The edges get a delicate crisp while the centers stay blissfully soft, making them utterly irresistible straight from the oven.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
You will absolutely love this recipe because it turns the classic candy we all adore into a warm, homemade cookie that’s even better. It’s incredibly simple to make with no fancy equipment, and the result is a cookie that’s loaded with flavor and texture. They’re the perfect treat for lunchboxes, bake sales, or when you just need a little peanut butter and chocolate comfort at the end of the day. I promise, they’ll disappear fast.
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup (1 stick / 113g) unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup chopped chocolate peanut butter cups (like Reese’s)
Now, let’s talk about the ingredients that make these cookies special. For the peanut butter, use a standard creamy, processed variety like Jif or Skippy. I tried using natural peanut butter once, and the cookies spread too much and didn’t hold their shape because of the natural oils. Trust me, the conventional kind works better for structure and flavor. The butter must be softened, not melted—this is key for a chewy texture. As for the star of the show, the chopped peanut butter cups, I prefer to chop them myself from full-size cups. The pre-chopped pieces or mini cups are coated to prevent sticking, so they don’t melt as beautifully. Chopping your own creates those lovely, gooey chocolate-peanut butter swirls in the baked cookie.(See the next page below to continue…)