Easy, healthy recipe for the ultimate melt-in-the-mouth, chunky peanut butter chocolate chip cookies. Reduced in sugar, they're crispy with a subtle saltiness that makes them irresistible.
I may not be a kid anymore, but now I'm making those cookies at university. They are GREAT - even with a ridiculous oven!
Julie
Easy Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
These are the most simple yet delicious cookies, inspired by my kids.
After 'hanging out' chez les amis ('playing' was banned a while back from our silly parent vocabulary), our kids described what they had enjoyed at various friends' homes. "You know, Maman, they made the most incredible cookies. They put chocolate chips in them - and peanut butter! Why don't we ever make them?"
I could feel myself standing to my full height. After constantly testing French pastry recipes for my second book, Teatime in Paris they'd had tons of homemade French cakes from éclairs, financiers, crêpes, tarts, macarons and ice creams.
Best Crunchy Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
So I developed my best recipe. These crunchy peanut butter chocolate chip cookies needed to be low in sugar and taste fabulous - but how could I make them better? Firstly, use the best quality ingredients you can find.
Use good unsalted butter - best is French or European butter 82% - see more under baking tips and FAQs. Plus use the best crunchy peanut butter. Picking the best also means the healthiest so we can actually taste the peanuts. Incidentally, peanuts are not bad for you, as they're the nuts naturally highest in protein.
Which Peanut Butter is the Healthiest?
To choose a healthy peanut butter, opt for a brand with minimal ingredients, avoiding added sugars and oils. Popular choices include Crazy Richard's in the US or natural brands like Whole Earth in France. For the healthiest option, seek out peanut butter purée or make your own from unsalted, grilled peanuts. Just mix the peanuts to a purée without any oil, as there's enough in the nuts naturally.
See Healthline's list of the healthiest peanut butters.
Best Peanut Butter Tip:
Ensure you stir peanut butter or purée well first, as the natural peanuts and their oil separate in the jar.
Does More Butter Make Cookies Softer?
Adding more butter makes these peanut butter chocolate chip cookies slightly softer on the inside. However, they also have a delicious outer crispy texture. The particularly buttery taste means they are a bit like shortbread or softer French sablé cookie (see my recipe for salted butter biscuits, Palets Bretons).
What's more, they just so happen to be a little addictive with the slight addition of salt as a lovely surprise hidden inside.
Why do you Press Peanut Butter Cookies with a Fork?
Pressing the peanut butter cookies with a fork flattens them slightly, making the cookies even crispier on the outside.
Either press them directly on the tray before baking or flatten them lightly with your fingers.
Is it Better to Brown Butter in These Cookies?
While browning butter makes French financier cakes even tastier, there is no need to brown butter in these cookies. My tip? Instead, add a little light brown or cane sugar.
If you like your cookies with a more toasted flavour, then go for a darker brown sugar such as coconut flower sugar. What's more, this kind of sugar is so strong in flavour that the amount can be further reduced.
Why are my 3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies Falling Apart?
I'd suggest you add more ingredients as in my recipe below. Using just 3 ingredients will not only risk making them taste weird but the texture may just leave them too crumbly.
Their taste is so much better with the extra butter, the two different sugars and good quality dark (bittersweet) chocolate chips - not to mention best quality peanut butter! I use a little less flour than in most recipes and add the baking powder to lighten them up, making them extra fluffy.
The egg also helps bind the whole lot together but the addition of a little salt and vanilla extract/powder just give them the best taste ever. So that gives these cookies ten ingredients! Believe me, it's worth it.
Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
There's no need to use an electric mixer but if you have a hand or stand mixer, then use it. My children loved a hands-on approach, which is much more fun plus gives a little arm workout as after-school sport!
Ingredients and Step-by-Step Instructions
First take the butter out of the fridge to soften it up a bit - for about 15-20 minutes. This will make creaming the butter and sugars easier - and makes a lighter texture.
Avoid melting the butter but if you do, chill the dough in the fridge before baking.
Cream together the butter and both sugars until light and creamy.
Either beat by hand using a wooden spoon or mix together using an electric hand or stand mixer with a paddle beater.
Add the chunky peanut butter, stirred well from the jar. The better the quality, the better your cookies!
Add an egg and vanilla extract or powder. Please avoid synthetic vanilla aromas; the flavour isn't nearly the same quality.
We like our peanut butter chocolate chip cookies with an extra good pinch of flower salt (fleur de sel in France) in the dough. Although this is entirely optional if you prefer without or just add less. Maldon or Celtic sea salt are the best equivalents of French fleur de sel.
Add the flour, baking powder and chocolate chips and stir well to combine until smooth. Line a couple of baking trays with either a silicone mat or baking parchment.
Space out the cookie dough well apart as they will spread while baking.
Either leave them in little mounds for a softer cookie (like I do here) or press down slightly with a fork or your fingers for a more crispy cookie.
Bake for 10-12 minutes or until golden and crispy.
Enjoy! They're melt-in-the-mouth, not too sweet, have an appealing saltiness to them. They're rather compulsive eating - a bit on the same lines as these sesame tuiles.
Love peanut butter? Then you'll love the taste of black sesame ice cream.
Try it and discover the similar taste sensation.
Healthy Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
Ingredients
- 125 g (4.5oz/ ½ cup) butter, unsalted softened*
- 50 g (2oz/ ¼ cup) sugar
- 25 g (1oz/scant 2 tbsp) light brown sugar cane or coconut flower sugar**
- 1 egg organic
- 100 g (3.5oz/ ½ cup) crunchy peanut butter see NOTES
- good pinch salt (fleur de sel) Maldon or Celtic salt
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- 110 g (4oz/ 1 cup) plain (all-purpose) flour
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract or vanilla powder
- 100 g (3.5oz/ ⅔ cup) dark chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180°C/160°C fan/360°F/Gas 4 and line a couple of baking sheets with baking parchment or silicone mat.
- In a large bowl, cream together the butter* and sugars** with a wooden spoon or sturdy spatula until the sugar has disappeared and the mix is pale and creamy (or mix with an electric mixer). Gradually add in the rest of the ingredients, mixing well. (The dough can be frozen at this point if you don't use all of it.)
- Spoon out small portions of the mixture onto each baking sheet, leaving a good gap in between each as they spread out. If you like cookies slightly crispy on the outside, then flatten them slightly with a fork. Otherwise leave them as little mounds to make them a little softer. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until golden.
- To cool, transfer the cookies to a wire rack.
Notes
This recipe was first published February 27 2012 but is now completely updated - and it's finally possible to leave a rated review!
Chrissy
So easy to make, healthier and hits the spot!
Jill Colonna
Thanks Chrissy - glad you like them!
Julie Colonna
I may not be a kid anymore, but now I'm making those cookies at university. They are GREAT - even with a ridiculous oven! Love you mum x
Jill Colonna
This has to be the best comment EVER! Thanks Julie. Feels like we're still making them together x
Hester @ Alchemy in the Kitchen
Hahaha! My mother used to slave over a hot oven making all sorts of wonderful desserts for us as kids and we'd crave shop-bought pineapple layer cake (bleaugh!)
I have to say, I share your children's weakness for peanut butter and chocolate chips - these are on the baking schedule next week. Great pics too, Jill. Hx
Cucina49
It's so funny that your children want cookies when they've had choux buns and other fancy French pastries--as a child, I was just the opposite! These cookies look perfect, tender in the middle and crunchy around the edges.
Jill
Can totally hear you! I think it had something to do with the 60s generation...well that's what I'm blaming it on, anyway 😉
Lora
Some of the best recipes are improvised and some of the loveliest memories are made in the kitchen with our families.
Jill
The memories are the best part, Lora - too true. J xo
Janet Ledger McCord
I see you're in France but just in case you were wondering or are back in the UK my husband has been able to find me pretzels in Lidl. Do you have Lidl in France? I'm an American living in Scotland so I'm just the opposite, I prefer my recipes in cups! I grew up with peanut butter cookies and I have trouble finding chocolate chips here too. I was surprised that friends and family here were just getting into peanut butter. My granny had the "magic refrigerator". No matter what time of day or when you stopped by she would start pulling out food and pretty soon the table was groaning. She always baked something, too, every day because Grandpa liked his desserts. Enjoyed the recipe! Janet
Jill
I like the sound of your granny's refrigerator. I have vivid memories of my granny's larder - a huge walk-in Aladdin's cupboard in her kitchen. She used to tell us to go and get something in the 'scullery'. Thanks for reminding me! Yes, we have Lidl in France, Janet.
FreeSpiritEater
I'm not a huge peanut butter fan, but when it's combined with chocolate in a cookie like this, I can't help but fantasize about it.. Those photos are creating some serious cravings lol Congratulations on Top 9 Jill!! Well done! Sending you lots of air hugs and kisses <3
Jill
Bravo to YOU on Top9. So proud to be with you today.
Daisy@Nevertoosweet
These cookies look amazing 🙂 I know my best friend would love some ~ thanks for sharing and congratulations for making it to Top 9!
Elyse @The Cultural Dish
Mmm I love these types of cookies! Delicious!
Liz
You are a FABULOUS Mum!!! I know the girls were thrilled with these wonderful cookies...and how I giggled at the comments from both your daughters and your own mum...priceless 🙂 And thanks so much for the mention, my friend...along with a big congratulations for the Top 9 today! Hooray~
PS...my oldest(25 y/o)sent me a text with a link to a cookie recipe yesterday...LOL. You'll be getting requests for many years to come!
Becky
Your cookies are gorgeous, and delish! I'm sure that your kids had a ball making these. I grew up on these cookies, and so did my kids. Baking with kids is so much fun.
Congrats on the Top 9 today!
Baker Street
i always divide my batter in half and add chocolate chips to one part. its undeniably delicious. your cookies look great. crisp on the edges, just how i like it.
Manu
OOOHHH MY! Can I have a couple to go with my cup of tea please??? Great job girls!!! :-))))) And beautifl pictures Jill! <3
Ann
I have recently discovered the joy of chocolate chips in peanut butter cookies...I honestly don't know why I didn't know about this before, but life has been a wee bit happier since!
Lillian
That's so funny your kids wanted plain ol' peanut butter cookies - I'd much prefer your macarons and choux! =P These look great - pb & chocolate is the perfect combo.
Thanks for the mention - next time, you can try it with the jam. 😉
Paula
I'm with the kids...let's tear down these cookies stacks and get to eating them! Look delicious!
5 Star Foodie
I would love to eat that whole stack if I could!!!
Kim Bee
Your stack of cookies looks like the Waverly symbol at the bottom of the screen. Lol. Looks delish. I want 20, like asap!
Jill
Haha - never thought of that! Good one, Kim.
Amrita
Good old elbow grease is perfect for when you've got your kids helping you, makes them feel like they really worked hard on them 😉 And it's interesting how we inherit qualities from our mums/dads/grandmoms/grandpas. Only when someone points them out do we realize who we're turning into 🙂 And I actually love that. Because I see myself becoming more like my mom and grandmom, in certain instances.
Jill
You said it, Amrita. Sometimes it's scary to hear it, though...
Juliana
Jill, these peanut butter cookies with chocolate chips look great, and reading your description just make me want to try one...salty and slightly crunchy...
Such a fun time in the kitchen with the kids...hope you are having a wonderful week 🙂
Jill
Thanks so much, Juliana. Having a super week - going so fast and already about to take my parents back to the airport!
All That I'm Eating
These sound brilliant, I'm yet to bake anything with peanut butter in and you've made me crave it! It's lovely that your kids wanted the 'hands on' approach to making them!
Jill
Wish they'd approach stacking the dishwasher with the same approach, lol.
Liam @ "Is Butter A Carb?"
Please come back to Glasgow and make me cookies and macarons all the time. 😉
Jill
See you on 10th March at the Mitchell Library. I'll be there 11am making macarons - don't know how without a kitchen but I'll work that one out!
parisbreakfast
BTW:
you can easily make yr own peanut butter by putting roasted peanuts in the blender and voila
Easy peasy and no excess sugar
http://parisbreakfasts.blogspot.com/2011/09/le-beurre-de-cacahuete.html
Jill
That means the kids will have to eat extra peanut butter. Good idea, though, Carol!
parisbreakfast
AH HA!
You will have to read 'French Children Do Not Throw Food' (the Brit title of 'Bringing Up Bebe')
You can browse it at WHSmith.
French children bake EVERY weekend according to Druckerman.
AND they are not allowed to eat the raw dough or eat any of their baking UNTIL it is Gouter time(4:30PM).
That way they learn independence, patience and how to deal with frustration.
I am currently looking for French adoptive parents since I have none of those sparkling qualities.
So let the baking begin!
voila xxcarolg
Jill
Aha. Am I turning French? Too funny. Do they say anything about bringing up your children to respect the 24-hour waiting line for macarons to mature to perfection? 😉
Mine don't bake every weekend, tisk, tisk. They're always too busy with other activities so it's a holiday sport.
Nami | Just One Cookbook
Making cookies must be a piece of cake for you compared to choux buns, éclairs, financiers, chocolate fondants, pancakes, crêpes! =D Sometimes all kids want is something different once in a while. Your cookies look really delicious Jill! I love how you made the tall tower!
Amy @ FragrantVanillaCake
Delicious looking cookies Jill! Funny that your kids beg for them though, I would LOVE all the stuff you are always making ;)! Peanut butter and chocolate are such a heavenly combination, I bet your kids ate them up in no time :)!
Marsha @ The Harried Cook
I am not a fan of peanut butter in cookies, but even I am tempted to try these! They look lovely and you are a pro-stacker, Jill! Nobody stacks delicious treats like you do 🙂 Gorgeous pictures!
Happy When Not Hungry
I love that you used crunchy peanut butter. Yum!
Laz
Look at Natie with the clever comment! I am not much of a sweets eater but I love me some cookies. I'll take 2 dozen.
Be well
Jill
Thanks, Laz. I also love her "leaning tower of deliciousness"!
Janet@FCTC
Hmmm, I don't even like peanut butter cookies but this sounds great, Jill! I have some crunchy peanut butter that my boys have decided they don't like, so I know what to use it in now 🙂
Jill
Too funny, Janet. I didn't think I'd like them either but it's on the list to make again!
Choc Chip Uru
What beautiful photography - you take a traditional recipe and renew it every time 😀
Looks delicious!!!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Latest: Marbled Muffintopcookiecake Hybrid
Jill
Thanks so much. It's what I do, I guess.
Vicki Bensinger
Ooh there's nothing like having a Reese's in the form of a cookie. These sound delicious. I bet they'd taste sensational dipping 1/2 the cookie in melted chocolate then left to harden. Yum.
Sounds like you'll be taking up more than just macaron baking for a bit. Baking with my kids was always theist fun. Enjoy it while you can. Mine are now 22 and 26.
Jill
Don't the kids grow up so fast? Great idea on dipping them half in chocolate. I've done it with macs but why didn't I think of that for a cookie? Cheers, Vicki.
The Chocolate Priestess
Two of my favorite flavors in your cookies. Thanks for the recipe.
Jill
I would never have thought I'd like them too, Priestess!
Grubarazzi (@Grubarazzi)
These look super fantastic. I would eat a dozen of them. A classic cookie 🙂
Jill
I wanted a dozen but the kids got there first. I'm too slow off the mark.
Emily @ Life on Food
I love the story - its a classic for both generations. Great cookies although I love your other delicious creations as well. The bubbly in the background is a nice touch 🙂
Jill
Merci - yes, the Champomy is kids' champagne in France: just sparkly apple juice, although I am also partial to the other kind 😉
Tina@flourtrader
Classic flavors in one cookie-yum!These are a great one for the cookie jar. Your teamwork really turned out a tasty looking cookie too. Also, sounds like you and the kids had a fun afternoon in the kitchen.
Thanks for the mention here also, sweet friend. Happy Monday!
Jill
Thanks so much for the inspiration, Tina. We had such a wonderful time in the kitchen. Happy times.
Eva Toneva
Extremely delicious and memorable styling! 🙂
Jill
Thanks so much, Eva. Means so much coming from a real stylist!
Claudia
Oh my those look perfect! If you're going to do chocolate chips (and I don't mind) do them right! Love the segue from "playing" to "hanging out." Growing up - but you don't leave chocolate chips behind.
Jill
Or chips, for that matter, Claudia 😉
Yep, if I mention, come around to play the look is thrown. Oops...
Natalie
The leaning tower of deliciousness!
Jill
Love it, Natalie.