Ina Garten’s chocolate peanut butter cookies are the perfect combination of rich chocolate and creamy peanut butter, creating a soft, chewy, and deeply flavorful treat. These cookies offer a balance of sweet and salty flavors, with a melt-in-your-mouth texture that makes them irresistible.

What Are Ina Garten Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies?

These cookies are a decadent twist on classic peanut butter cookies, incorporating cocoa powder and chocolate chips for an extra chocolatey experience. The dough is rich and buttery, with a slight crisp on the edges and a soft, chewy center, making them perfect for chocolate and peanut butter lovers alike.

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Reasons to Try Ina Garten Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies

The perfect balance of flavors – The sweet chocolate pairs beautifully with the salty peanut butter.
Soft and chewy texture – These cookies have a fudgy consistency with slightly crisp edges.
Simple to make – Uses pantry staples and comes together quickly.
Great for gifting – These cookies are perfect for holidays, parties, or as a homemade gift.
Customizable – Add mix-ins like nuts, white chocolate, or sea salt for extra flavor.

Ingredients Needed to Make Ina Garten Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies

1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup creamy peanut butter
1 cup light brown sugar, packed
¾ cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
1 ½ cups semisweet chocolate chips

Instructions to Prepare Ina Garten Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies

Preheat the oven – Set the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
Cream butter and sugars – In a large bowl, beat the butter, peanut butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until smooth and fluffy.
Add eggs and vanilla – Mix in the eggs one at a time, then add vanilla extract and continue mixing.
Whisk dry ingredients – In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
Combine wet and dry ingredients – Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined.
Fold in chocolate chips – Gently mix in the semisweet chocolate chips to distribute evenly.
Scoop and shape cookies – Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to form dough balls and place them on the prepared baking sheets.
Bake to perfection – Bake for 10-12 minutes until the edges are set but the center remains soft.
Cool before serving – Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

What Goes Well With Ina Garten Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies

Pair with a glass of milk – The creamy richness of milk balances the deep chocolate flavors.
Serve with vanilla ice cream – Create a delicious cookie sundae.
Drizzle with melted peanut butter – Add an extra layer of nutty goodness.
Dip in chocolate – Coat half the cookie in melted chocolate for a bakery-style look.
Enjoy with a cup of coffee – The bitterness of coffee enhances the chocolatey taste.

Key Tips for Making Ina Garten Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies

Use high-quality cocoa – Enhances the chocolate flavor for a richer cookie.
Don’t overmix the dough – Overmixing can make the cookies tough instead of soft.
Chill the dough if needed – If the dough is too soft, refrigerate for 30 minutes before baking.
Measure flour correctly – Spoon and level the flour instead of packing it in to avoid dense cookies.
Let cookies cool on the baking sheet – This helps them set and prevents them from breaking.
Use room temperature ingredients – Ensure smooth mixing and even baking.

Creative Variations of Ina Garten Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies

Add chopped peanuts – For extra crunch and texture.
Use white chocolate chips – A sweet contrast to the dark cocoa flavor.
Sprinkle with sea salt – Enhances the sweet and salty combination.
Mix in caramel bits – Add a gooey surprise in every bite.
Turn into cookie sandwiches – Spread peanut butter or Nutella between two cookies.

Storage Guidelines for Ina Garten Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies

Store in an airtight container – Keep cookies fresh at room temperature for up to 5 days.
Refrigerate for longer storage – Can last up to 2 weeks in an airtight container.
Freeze for later use – Store baked cookies in a ziplock bag and freeze for up to 3 months.
Freeze unbaked dough – Portion the dough into balls, freeze, and bake directly from frozen.

Reheating Tips for Ina Garten Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies

Microwave for a quick warm-up – Heat for 10-15 seconds for a soft and gooey texture.
Oven method for fresh-baked feel – Warm in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes.
Use an air fryer – Reheat at 320°F for 2-3 minutes for a slightly crisp bite.

FAQs

How do you make chocolate peanut butter cookies extra soft and chewy?

To achieve soft and chewy cookies, use more brown sugar than granulated sugar, as brown sugar adds moisture. Avoid overbaking—remove the cookies from the oven when the edges are set but the center still looks slightly underdone. Let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes to firm up while retaining their chewiness.

Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy peanut butter?

Yes, crunchy peanut butter can be used instead of creamy peanut butter for added texture. It will give the cookies small peanut pieces, adding extra crunch and nuttiness. If you prefer a smoother dough, stick with creamy peanut butter.

Why did my chocolate peanut butter cookies turn out dry?

Dry cookies can result from too much flour or overbaking. Ensure you measure the flour correctly using the spoon-and-level method instead of packing it in. Additionally, bake the cookies for just 10-12 minutes, as overbaking can make them dry and crumbly instead of soft and chewy.

Can I freeze chocolate peanut butter cookie dough?

Yes, cookie dough can be frozen for up to 3 months. Scoop the dough into portions, freeze on a baking sheet, then transfer to a ziplock bag. When ready to bake, place frozen dough balls on a baking sheet and bake as usual, adding 2-3 extra minutes to the baking time.

Wrapping Up

Ina Garten’s chocolate peanut butter cookies are a perfect combination of rich cocoa, creamy peanut butter, and melty chocolate chips. With their chewy texture and deep flavor, these cookies are guaranteed to become a household favorite.