If you’re looking for a cookie that brings together the best of two worlds—nutty peanut butter perfection and deep, fudgy chocolate richness—these Peanut Butter Brownie Swirl Cookies will steal your heart from the very first bite. Each cookie features a marbled swirl of the two doughs, creating a bakery-style look with a melt-in-your-mouth texture. They’re soft, tender, and bursting with flavor, making them the perfect treat for the holiday season, weekend baking, or gifting to someone special. These cookies carry a bit of nostalgia, too. The recipe was originally shared by a former coworker—someone with countless life stories and a true love for homemade sweets—just days before Christmas. Since then, it has become a yearly December tradition: swirling dough, filling the kitchen with warm aromas, and savoring both the cookies and the memories tied to them. They’re the kind of treat that brings comfort, joy, and a touch of magic to your baking routine.
Ingredients
Peanut Butter Cookie Dough
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup packed brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Brownie Batter
- ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- ¼ cup unsalted butter
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Preparation
- Make the Peanut Butter Cookie Dough
In a large bowl, beat together peanut butter, softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until creamy and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla, mixing well. In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, and salt. Add dry ingredients to the peanut butter mixture and combine until a soft dough forms. Chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes. - Prepare the Brownie Batter
In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the chocolate chips and butter in 30-second intervals, stirring until smooth. Set aside to cool slightly. In another bowl, whisk together the sugar, egg, and vanilla. Stir this mixture into the melted chocolate. Sift in the flour, cocoa powder, and salt, mixing gently until thick and glossy. - Form the Cookies
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking tray with parchment paper. Scoop a small ball of peanut butter dough and an equal-sized ball of brownie batter. Lightly flatten each ball. - Create the Swirl Effect
Press the two doughs together, twisting slightly to create a marbled pattern. Roll into a smooth ball if needed, then place on the tray. Leave at least 2 inches of space between each cookie. - Bake
Bake for 8–10 minutes, just until the edges are firm but the centers still look soft. Cool on the tray for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. As they cool, the swirl becomes even more defined and the texture sets perfectly.
These cookies are the kind of treat that brighten any gathering, whether it’s a holiday celebration, a baking night with friends, or a cozy evening at home. Soft, rich, and beautifully marbled—they’re guaranteed to impress.