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Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookie

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Chocolate Peanut Butter Surprise Cookie--A peanut butter cup inside a chocolate, chocolate chip cookie, oh my!

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This Homemade cookie recipe is a chocolate cookie with a brownie-like texture and an incredible Reese Peanut Butter Cup surprise inside. This chocolate cookie recipe is just a little chewy and crispy on the outside and has a chocolaty and peanut butter lava inside.

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More of the Best Chocolate Cookies

The Best Chocolate Cookies Recipe

These Chocolate Cookies are simply the best. They have a brownie-like texture, a little crispy on the outside and then soft and chewy on the outside. They can be made with many different variations your family will love. Who doesn't love a rich and soft chocolate cookie with a fun candy surprise in the middle?

Variations for Surprise Cookies

Use your imagination. What goes great with chocolate? Here are a few ideas from off the top of my head.

  • Rolo
  • Reese Peanut Butter Cups
  • Lindt Chocolates
  • Coconut Lindt chocolate
  • Hershey Kisses

How to Make the Best Chocolate Suprise Cookies From Scratch

  • Soften the Butter - It really does make a difference. Let your butter sit out of the fridge for about an hour before you are ready to begin mixing.
  • Measure the flour correctly - Use a dry measuring cup, not a pyrex one used for liquids. 
  • Use lots of Chocolate - Cocoa Powder, chocolate chips, and a surprise middle make for the best chocolate cookie.
  • Don't overbake the cookies - It's tricky because you can't see when the cookies are golden. Try to watch the center of the cookie. Take them out of the oven when the middle no longer looks doughy.
  • Garnish with peanuts, coconut, or whatever flavor combo you're using right after the cookies come out of the oven. 
  • Let the cookies sit on the baking sheet and cool for 2-3 minutes before transferring them to a baking sheet. 
  • Fridge - You can make the cookie dough ahead of time. It will last in the fridge for a couple of weeks in an airtight container.
  • Freezer - Like most cookie doughs, this dough can be frozen and baked at a later date. Simply scoop into balls and place on a parchment-lined pan and freeze until solid. Once frozen, remove from the cookie sheet and place in a freezer bag. They can be stored in the freezer for 3-4 months.
  • To Bake Frozen Cookies - Defrost for an hour or two in the fridge and bake as directed. If the dough is very cold, you may need to add a minute or two of cook time.

Storing Baked Cookies

You can also store the cookies already baked.

  • Airtight Container - If you want to store the cookies already baked, just place them in a container with a lid. They will stay fresh for a few days.
  • Freezer - If you haven’t tried this method, you’re missing out. Cookies freeze really well and are so fun to grab out of the freezer and enjoy. Let them thaw for a few minutes and you’ll have an extra chewy cookie to enjoy. Cookies can remain in the freezer, in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months.

Optional Add-Ins

  • Nuts: just about any kind! Toast them in a saute pan about 5 minutes first or lightly toast them in the oven before adding to the dough.
  • M&M’s: plain, peanut, coconut, peanut butter, all sizes, shapes, and flavors! A really fun and cute addition.
  • Dried Fruit: cranberries, raisins, blueberries, strawberries, flaked coconut (super yummy when it’s toasted) and even sliced & dried bananas!
  • Extra Crunch: try crushing some whoppers, crushed potato chips, or pretzels,
  • Flavored Morsels: butterscotch chips, chocolate chips, caramel bits, or Heath pieces.

Ingredients in Chocolate Cookies with a Surprise Filling

  • Butter - Unsalted Butter is great
  • Brown Sugar - Light brown sugar works great. Dark will do in a pinch
  • Sugar - Regular, granulated sugar works great
  • Eggs - Large, Grade A Eggs
  • Vanilla - Pure Vanilla Extract is best
  • Salt - Sea Salt
  • Baking Powder - Any will do
  • Baking Soda - Any will do
  • Flour - Regular all-purpose flour is fine
  • Chocolate Chips - You can use milk chocolate or semi-sweet chocolate chips. Use most in the cookie dough and save a few for the tops of the cookies after they have baked.
  • Cocoa Powder - any variety will do
  • Chopped Peanuts - Roasted and salted peanuts, coarsely chopped (this is optional but adds a fun texture and flavor dimension to the top of the cookies.
  • Reese Peanut Butter Cups - Or your favorite candy to use as a filling
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a baking sheet with non-stick cooking spray or line a baking pan with parchment paper and set aside.
  2. In a separate bowl mix flour, baking soda, salt, baking powder. Set aside.
  3. Cream together butter and sugars until combined.
  4. Beat in eggs and vanilla until fluffy.
  5. Mix in the dry ingredients until combined.
  6. Add about 12 oz package of chocolate chips and mix well.
  7. Roll 2-3 TBS (depending on how large you like your cookies) of dough at a time into balls. Unwrap the Reese's peanut butter cups and then lightly press a peanut butter cup into the center of each dough ball. Cover the entire peanut butter cup with cookie dough and place on a greased cookie sheet.
  8. Place them evenly spaced on your prepared cookie sheets.
  9. Bake in preheated oven for approximately 8-10 minutes. Take them out when they are just BARELY starting set in the middle of the cookie--no longer doughy.
  10. Sprinkle the chopped peanuts on tops and place a few extra chocolate chips on top.
  11. Let them sit on the baking pan for 2 minutes before removing to a cooling rack.
A Peanut Butter Cup inside a chocolaty chocolate chip cookie, ooey gooey goodness | Thecarefreekitchen.com
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Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies

A Peanut Butter Cup inside a chocolaty chocolate chip cookie, ooey gooey goodness
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
cooling time 5 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 24 Cookies
Calories 201kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 cup Butter room tempreture
  • 1 cup Brown Sugar light brown sugar
  • 1 cup Sugar
  • 2 Large Eggs
  • 2 teaspoons Vanilla Pure extract
  • 1 teaspoon Salt sea salt
  • ½ teaspoon Baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon Baking Powder
  • 2 ½ cups Flour
  • ¼ cup Cocoa Powder
  • ¼ cups Coarsely chopped salted Peanuts roasted and salted
  • 1 bag Reese's Peanut Butter Cups or 24-36 pieces
  • 1 12 oz bag Chocolate Chips Add most to your cookie batter and save a handful to place on the cookies when they come out of the oven.

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a baking sheet with non-stick cooking spray or line a baking pan with parchment paper and set aside.
  • In a separate bowl mix flour, baking soda, salt, baking powder. Set aside.
  • Cream together butter and sugars until combined.
  • Beat in eggs and vanilla until fluffy.
  • Mix in the dry ingredients until combined.
  • Add about 12 oz package of chocolate chips and mix well.
  • Roll 2-3 TBS (depending on how large you like your cookies) of dough at a time into balls. Unwrap the reese's peanut butter cups and then lightly press a peanut butter cup into the center of each dough ball. Cover the entire peanut butter cup with cookie dough and place on a greased cookie sheet.
  • Place them evenly spaced on your prepared cookie sheets.
  • Bake in preheated oven for approximately 8-10 minutes. Take them out when they are just BARELY starting set in the middle of the cookie--no longer doughy.
  • Sprinkle the chopped peanuts on tops and place a few extra chocolate chips on top.
  • Let them sit on the baking pan for 2 minutes before removing to cooling rack.

Nutrition

Calories: 201kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 38mg | Sodium: 204mg | Potassium: 69mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 17g | Vitamin A: 262IU | Calcium: 21mg | Iron: 1mg

Here are some more of the best cookie recipes!

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pinterest pin for chocolate surprise cookies

This Homemade cookie recipe is a chocolate cookie with an incredible peanut butter cup surprise inside. This chocolate cookie recipe is just a little chewy and crispy on the outside and has a chocolaty and peanut butter lava inside. Come to Mama...

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