Can’t choose between peanut butter cookies and fudgy brownies? Now you don’t have to! These Peanut Butter Brownie Swirl Cookies deliver the best of both worlds in every bite. With ribbons of rich brownie and creamy peanut butter dough swirled together, these cookies are as beautiful as they are delicious. Perfect for bake sales, cookie swaps, or an indulgent afternoon snack, they’re sure to satisfy every sweet craving.
Ingredients for Peanut Butter Brownie Swirl Cookies
Here’s exactly what you’ll need to make these decadent cookies:
For the peanut butter cookie dough:
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½ cup unsalted butter, softened
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½ cup creamy peanut butter
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½ cup granulated sugar
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½ cup packed light brown sugar
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1 large egg
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1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
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1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
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½ teaspoon baking soda
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¼ teaspoon salt
For the brownie batter:
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4 oz semisweet or bittersweet chocolate, chopped
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3 tablespoons unsalted butter
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½ cup granulated sugar
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1 large egg
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1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
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⅓ cup all-purpose flour
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1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
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Pinch of salt
Required Kitchen Tools
To make Peanut Butter Brownie Swirl Cookies, you’ll need:
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Large mixing bowls
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Medium saucepan (or microwave-safe bowl)
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Whisk and spatula
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Hand mixer or stand mixer
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Measuring cups and spoons
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Baking sheets
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Parchment paper or silicone baking mats
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Cooling rack
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Cookie scoop (optional, for even portioning)
Step-by-Step Preparation Instructions
1. Prepare the peanut butter cookie dough
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In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, peanut butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar using a hand mixer or stand mixer until light and fluffy (about 2–3 minutes).
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Add the egg and vanilla extract and mix until combined.
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In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
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Gradually add the dry ingredients to the peanut butter mixture, mixing on low speed until fully incorporated.
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Set the peanut butter dough aside.
2. Prepare the brownie batter
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In a small saucepan (or microwave-safe bowl), melt the chopped chocolate and butter together, stirring until smooth. Let cool slightly.
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In a medium bowl, whisk together the sugar, egg, and vanilla extract.
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Slowly whisk in the melted chocolate mixture until well combined.
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Add the flour, cocoa powder, and a pinch of salt, stirring just until the batter is smooth.
3. Combine the doughs
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Take spoonfuls of the peanut butter dough and brownie batter and gently swirl them together in a large bowl — be careful not to overmix! You want distinct ribbons of each flavor.
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Using a cookie scoop or spoon, drop mounds of the swirled dough onto parchment-lined baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
4. Bake the cookies
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Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
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Bake the cookies for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges are set but the centers still look slightly soft.
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Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Helpful Tips for Making or Serving Peanut Butter Brownie Swirl Cookies
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Don’t over-swirl the dough. For the prettiest swirl pattern, gently fold the two doughs together with just a few turns of the spatula.
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Use high-quality chocolate. This enhances the richness of the brownie portion.
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Chill the dough (optional). If your kitchen is warm or your dough feels soft, chill it for 20–30 minutes before baking to help prevent excess spreading.
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Storage: Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days — if they last that long!
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Freeze for later: You can also freeze the unbaked swirled dough balls and bake them straight from the freezer (just add 1–2 extra minutes to the bake time).
Approximate Nutritional Value (per cookie, based on 20 cookies)
Please note: This is an estimate and may vary depending on the exact ingredients used.
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Calories: ~180 kcal
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Total Fat: ~10 g
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Saturated Fat: ~5 g
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Carbohydrates: ~20 g
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Sugar: ~12 g
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Protein: ~3 g
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Fiber: ~1 g
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Sodium: ~100 mg
Conclusion: Why You’ll Love Peanut Butter Brownie Swirl Cookies
These Peanut Butter Brownie Swirl Cookies are the ultimate crowd-pleaser! The rich chocolatey goodness of brownies meets the salty-sweet creaminess of peanut butter cookies in a fun and eye-catching swirl. They’re quick and easy to make, freeze beautifully, and will disappear fast at any gathering.