If you’re a fan of the classic chocolate and peanut butter combo, these chocolate peanut butter cookies are about to become your new favorite treat! Rich, fudgy and downright irresistible straight from the oven—or with a glass of cold milk!

Basket of Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies

Why this recipe works

My family loves my soft peanut butter cookies and my Nutella peanut butter cookies, so I decided to create a chocolate version of this fave. That was easy to do by just substituting some of the flour with cocoa powder. Nice and soft and full of chocolate peanut buttery flavor, yum!

I love this dough. It’s such an easy recipe and comes together nicely. This recipe adds just enough chocolate to the peanut butter to make them awesome.

RELATED – You’ll also love my Cinnamon Chocolate Chip Cookies. With a subtle hint of cinnamon and chocolate combined, you’ll be in cookie heaven! If it’s bar form that you love, try our seven layer bars, just 7 ingredients and one bowl!

Close up photo of Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies on a wire rack

Ingredient Info and Substitution Suggestions

Get all measurements, ingredients, and instructions in the printable version at the end of this post.

SHORTENING – Regular or butter flavored shortening will work for this recipe. You can substitute butter in a pinch but it will change the texture of the cookies.

FLOUR – It’s always important to properly measure your flour when baking. It’s best to use the spoon and sweep method. Gently scoop flour into a measuring cup using a spoon until it’s overflowing. Use the flat end of a butter knife to sweep off the excess flour. Do not pack the flour or tap the measuring cup on the counter, you will end up with more flour than needed!

COCOA – Just like with flour, you have to be careful when measuring cocoa. If you pack it into the measuring cup or scoop it out of the container using the measuring cup, it will be way more than the recipe intends, causing your dough to be too dry.

How to Make Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies

These step by step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this recipe. You can Jump to Recipe to get the printable version of this recipe, complete with measurements and instructions at the bottom.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
Combine shortening, peanut butter, brown sugar, milk and vanilla in large mixing bowl. Beat with electric mixer at medium speed until well blended.
Add egg. Beat just until blended.
Combine flour, cocoa, salt and baking soda. Add to creamed mixture at low speed. Mix just until blended.
Drop by heaping tablespoons (using a cookie scoop works great) 2 inches apart onto ungreased insulated baking sheet.
Flatten slightly in crisscross pattern with tines of fork.
Bake for 7 to 8 minutes, or until set and just beginning to brown. DO NOT OVERBAKE.
Cool 2 minutes on baking sheet. Remove cookies to wire cooling racks to cool completely.

Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tips

How do I store leftover chocolate peanut butter cookies?

Store leftover cookies in an airtight container for up to 1 week.

Stack of Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies

Serving Suggestions

Serve warm with a tall glass of cold milk or a hot cup of coffee for the perfect anytime treat.

I hope you love these as much as we do!

What others are saying about these cookies

Absolutely phenomenal recipe! These cookies are wonderful and as a baker myself, the dough is the easiest cookie dough I have ever worked with. Follow the recipe as it is posted and you will not fail! I have made these cookies twice now in just one week’s time! So thankful I found it!

~ Janice

This cookie recipe was perfect! First peanut butter cookies I ever made! Love that cocoa was included to give them a kick of chocolate with the peanut butter. They turned out perfectly! Super yummy! 💗

~ Kristina

I just finished a batch of these. I substituted the shortening for butter. After I put the dough on the cookie sheets, I put the pans in the freezer for about 15 minutes. I love a soft cookie and these have a great soft texture.

~Laura

More Cookie Recipes

I love to bake and cook and share my kitchen experience with all of you! Remembering to come back each day can be tough, that’s why I offer a convenient newsletter every time a new recipe posts. Simply subscribe and start receiving your free daily recipes!

This post originally appeared here on Apr 6, 2011.