Peanut Butter Brownie Swirl Cookies – A Decadent Dessert

If you're a fan of both peanut butter and brownies, these Peanut Butter Brownie Swirl Cookies are going to be your new favorite treat! The perfect combination of fudgy brownies and creamy peanut butter in every bite.

INGREDIENTS

• Creamy Peanut Butter: ½ cup of smooth, creamy peanut butter for that rich, nutty flavor.
• Softened Butter: ¼ cup of butter, softened, to mix easily with the peanut butter and create a tender dough.
• Brown Sugar: ½ cup of brown sugar to add sweetness and keep the peanut butter dough moist and flavorful.
• Egg: 1 large egg to bind the ingredients together and give structure to the peanut butter dough.
• Vanilla Extract: 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract to enhance the flavors of both doughs.
• All-Purpose Flour: 1 cup of all-purpose flour for structure and a soft, chewy texture.
• Baking Soda: ½ teaspoon to help the peanut butter dough rise slightly during baking.
• Salt: ¼ teaspoon to balance the sweetness of the dough.

For the Brownie Dough:

• Melted Butter: ½ cup of melted butter, which provides the richness and fudgy texture of the brownie dough.
• White Sugar: 1 cup of granulated sugar to sweeten the brownie dough and create a crackly top.
• Cocoa Powder: ⅓ cup of cocoa powder for a deep chocolate flavor.
• Egg: 1 large egg to bind the ingredients and help create the classic brownie texture.
• All-Purpose Flour: ¾ cup of all-purpose flour to give the dough structure without being too dense.
• Baking Powder: ¼ teaspoon of baking powder to provide just enough lift for a soft, fudgy texture.
• Chocolate Chips: ½ cup of chocolate chips for melty chocolate goodness in every bite of the brownie dough.
• Salt: ¼ teaspoon to enhance the flavor of the brownie dough and balance the sweetness.

INSTRUCTIONS

Step 1: Prepare the Peanut Butter Dough

In a large mixing bowl, beat together the creamy peanut butter, softened butter, and brown sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until well combined.

Step 2: Add Dry Ingredients to Peanut Butter Dough

Gradually stir in the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Mix until the dough just comes together. Set the peanut butter dough aside while you prepare the brownie dough.

Step 3: Prepare the Brownie Dough

In another bowl, whisk together the melted butter and granulated sugar until smooth. Add the cocoa powder, egg, and vanilla extract, stirring until fully combined.

Step 4: Add Dry Ingredients to Brownie Dough

Gradually stir in the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Once the dough is smooth, fold in the chocolate chips to add extra bursts of chocolate in each cookie.

Step 5: Chill the Doughs

Both doughs need to be chilled for about 30 minutes to firm up and make it easier to form the swirl pattern later.

Step 6: Form the Cookies

Once the doughs have chilled, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). On a baking sheet, scoop portions of both peanut butter and brownie dough, placing them side by side. Use a toothpick or knife to gently swirl the two doughs together, creating a marbled pattern.

Step 7: Bake the Cookies

Bake the cookies for 9-11 minutes, or until the edges are set but the centers are still soft. The peanut butter dough should be golden, while the brownie dough should look slightly crackled on top.

Step 8: Cool the Cookies

Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Serving and Storage Tips

• These cookies are best served warm with a cold glass of milk to balance the rich flavors.
• If you prefer a more decadent treat, enjoy them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
• Store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.
• For longer storage, freeze the cookies in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.

Helpful Notes

• If you're short on time, you can prepare both doughs in advance and refrigerate them overnight. Just let them sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before scooping and swirling.
• For an extra chocolatey version, add more chocolate chips to the brownie dough or even swirl in some peanut butter chips.
• If you're a fan of crunchy cookies, bake them a little longer (up to 12 minutes) for a crispier texture.

Tips from well-known chefs

• Pastry chef Christina Tosi recommends using high-quality vanilla extract to elevate the flavors in both the peanut butter and brownie doughs.
• Chef Jacques Torres advises chilling the doughs before baking to ensure the cookies hold their shape and don't spread too much in the oven.
• Baker Sarah Kieffer suggests lightly tapping the baking sheet halfway through baking to create crackled tops on the brownie dough.