When it comes to desserts, there’s nothing quite like the classic combination of peanut butter and chocolate. It’s a duo that has stood the test of time, delighting taste buds and satisfying sweet cravings for decades.

But what if you could take this dynamic pairing to a whole new level? Enter: Peanut Butter Brownie Swirl Cookies.
These cookies are the ultimate fusion of two beloved treats—soft, chewy peanut butter cookies and rich, fudgy brownies—all swirled together in a gorgeous marble pattern. They’re indulgent, decadent, and surprisingly easy to make. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just looking for a fun recipe to try, these cookies are guaranteed to impress.
Let’s dive into how you can whip up a batch of these irresistible cookies in no time!
Why You’ll Love These Cookies
- Flavor Explosion: The nutty creaminess of peanut butter meets the deep chocolatey richness of brownies. It’s a flavor combination that dreams are made of.
- Texture Perfection: Crispy edges, crackly tops, and soft, gooey centers—these cookies have it all.
- Visually Stunning: The marbled swirl effect makes these cookies look as good as they taste.
- Customizable: With gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan options, this recipe can be adapted to suit nearly any dietary preference.
The Recipe
Here’s everything you’ll need to create these show-stopping cookies:
Ingredients
For the Peanut Butter Dough:
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1/4 cup butter, softened
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
For the Brownie Dough:
- 1/2 cup butter, melted
- 1 cup white sugar
- 1/3 cup cocoa powder
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips
Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Make the Peanut Butter Dough
In a medium-sized bowl, beat together the peanut butter, softened butter, and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until fully incorporated.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined. Set aside.
Step 2: Make the Brownie Dough
In another bowl, whisk together the melted butter and white sugar until smooth. Add the cocoa powder and mix until fully combined. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract.
Next, fold in the all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, and chocolate chips. Stir until no dry streaks remain.
Step 3: Chill Both Doughs
Place both doughs in the refrigerator to chill for about 30 minutes. This step is crucial for ensuring the doughs are firm enough to handle and will maintain their shape during baking.
Step 4: Create the Swirls
Once chilled, scoop 1-2 tablespoons of each dough and place them side by side on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Use a toothpick or skewer to gently swirl the two doughs together, creating a marbled effect. Be careful not to overmix—you want distinct swirls of peanut butter and brownie.
Step 5: Bake
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the cookies for 9-11 minutes, or until the tops are lightly crackled and the edges are just set. The centers should still be slightly soft—they’ll firm up as they cool.
Step 6: Cool and Enjoy
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5-10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, grab a glass of milk (or your favorite dairy-free alternative) and enjoy!
Pro Tips for Perfect Cookies
- Don’t Skip Chilling: Chilling the doughs helps prevent spreading during baking and makes it easier to handle when swirling.
- Use High-Quality Ingredients: Since this recipe relies heavily on peanut butter and cocoa powder for flavor, using high-quality versions of these ingredients will make a noticeable difference.
- Customize Your Swirls: Love more peanut butter? Add an extra dollop when swirling. Prefer extra chocolate? Sprinkle a few more chocolate chips on top before baking.
Dietary Modifications
These cookies are incredibly versatile! Here’s how you can adapt them:
- Gluten-Free: Substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
- Dairy-Free: Use vegan butter in place of regular butter and opt for dairy-free chocolate chips.
- Vegan: Replace the egg with a flaxseed or chia seed egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed/chia seed mixed with 2.5 tablespoons water), use vegan butter, and choose certified vegan chocolate chips.
Why These Cookies Are Worth Making
Life is too short for boring desserts, and these Peanut Butter Brownie Swirl Cookies are anything but boring. They’re an explosion of flavor and texture in every bite—a treat that’s perfect for sharing with friends and family or savoring all on your own.
Whether you’re baking for a party, a holiday gathering, or just because you’re in the mood for something sweet, these cookies are sure to be a hit. Plus, they’re so beautiful that they’ll have everyone thinking you spent hours in the kitchen (when in reality, they come together in just about 40 minutes).
So go ahead—grab your mixing bowls and get ready to bake up some magic. And don’t forget to snap a picture before they disappear; these cookies are as Instagram-worthy as they are delicious!
Happy baking! Let me know how yours turn out—I’d love to hear your thoughts or answer any questions you might have in the comments below.
PrintPeanut Butter Brownie Swirl Cookies
Just wait until you try these outrageously delicious Peanut Butter Brownie Swirl Cookies!
- Prep Time: 30minutes
- Cook Time: 10minutes
- Total Time: 40minutes
- Yield: 12cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- For the Peanut Butter Dough:
- 1⁄2cup creamy peanut butter
- 1⁄4cup butter,softened
- 1⁄2cup brown sugar
- 1egg
- 1teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1cup all-purpose flour
- 1⁄2teaspoon baking soda
- 1⁄4teaspoon salt
- For the Brownie Dough:
- 1⁄2cup butter,melted
- 1cup white sugar
- 1⁄3cup cocoa powder
- 1egg
- 1teaspoon vanilla
- 3⁄4cup all-purpose flour
- 1⁄4teaspoon baking powder
- 1⁄4teaspoon salt
- 1⁄2cup chocolate chips
Instructions
Make the Peanut Butter Dough
In a bowl, beat the peanut butter, butter, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
Beat in the egg and vanilla.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
Gradually mix into the wet ingredients until just combined.
Make the Brownie Dough
Whisk together the melted butter and white sugar.
Beat in the cocoa powder until smooth, then add the egg and vanilla.
Fold in the flour, baking powder, salt, and chocolate chips until no dry streaks remain.
Chill the Doughs
Chill both doughs for 30 minutes.
Form the Cookies
Scoop 1-2 tablespoon portions of each dough and place them side by side on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Use a toothpick or skewer to gently swirl the doughs together in a marble pattern.
Bake
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
Bake for 9-11 minutes, until the tops are lightly crackly and the edges are just set. The centers will still be soft.
Cool and Serve
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5-10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy!
Notes
Make it gluten-free by using a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
For dairy-free, use vegan butter and dairy-free milk.
For a vegan version, choose certified vegan butter, milk, and chocolate.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1cookie
- Calories: 210kcal
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 25mg