If you love the rich, fudgy chew of a perfect brownie but crave the irresistible twist of nutty peanut butter, Swirled Brownie Cookies with a Peanut Butter Twist are about to become your absolute favorite. These cookies bring together glossy, decadent chocolate dough and ribbons of sweet peanut butter for a batch that’s as dramatic and eye-catching as it is delicious. Get ready to impress at your next bake sale or simply treat yourself to a cookie that’s truly the best of both worlds.

Swirled Brownie Cookies with a Peanut Butter Twist Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

What I love most about this recipe is how it comes together with kitchen staples and just a few truly magical additions. Every ingredient in Swirled Brownie Cookies with a Peanut Butter Twist has a purpose, from creating fudgy centers to providing those gorgeous signature swirls.

Unsalted butter, melted: Gives the cookies rich brownie flavor and helps with the soft, chewy texture.
Granulated sugar: Brings the right amount of sweetness and classic cookie structure.
Large eggs: Bind everything together for perfect cookie dough consistency and a lush, fudgy bite.
Vanilla extract: Rounds out the chocolate and peanut butter with a touch of aromatic warmth.
Unsweetened cocoa powder: Delivers deep, dark chocolate flavor that makes these brownie cookies stand out.
Baking powder: Creates a bit of lift for soft but never cakey cookies.
Salt: Balances flavors and highlights the sweetness and chocolatey notes.
All-purpose flour: The backbone of the cookie, keeping each bite tender yet substantial.
Semi-sweet chocolate chips: Add pools of melty chocolate in every mouthful.
Creamy peanut butter: The star of our swirl, rich and flavorful.
Powdered sugar: Sweetens and smooths out the peanut butter for picture-perfect swirls.

How to Make Swirled Brownie Cookies with a Peanut Butter Twist

Step 1: Get Your Oven Ready

Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper. This quick step helps your Swirled Brownie Cookies with a Peanut Butter Twist bake evenly and release easily—which means no sad, stuck-on cookies!

Step 2: Mix the Brownie Cookie Base

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together your melted butter and granulated sugar until glossy and smooth. Add in the eggs and vanilla extract, whisking until the mixture becomes luxuriously thick and creamy. This is where the fudgy magic starts!

Step 3: Add Dry Ingredients

Time for the chocolate boost! Stir in your unsweetened cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt, ensuring everything is totally blended. Next, fold in the all-purpose flour until just combined—don’t overmix, or you’ll lose that perfect brownie chew. Finally, sprinkle in those semi-sweet chocolate chips for extra chocolatey goodness.

Step 4: Make the Peanut Butter Swirl

In a small bowl, mix the creamy peanut butter with powdered sugar. Stir until you have a smooth, spoonable swirl filling. This not only amplifies the peanut butter flavor, but gives those beautiful bakery-style swirls their signature look.

Step 5: Scoop and Swirl

Scoop your brownie cookie dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing the mounds out to allow for spreading. Drop little dollops of the sweetened peanut butter onto each cookie. Grab a toothpick or skewer, and gently swirl the peanut butter through the top of the dough. Each swirl makes your Swirled Brownie Cookies with a Peanut Butter Twist totally unique!

Step 6: Bake and Cool

Bake for 10–12 minutes until the edges are set but the centers still look slightly glossy. Let them cool on the pan for a few minutes to firm up. This is the hardest part—waiting! But those gooey, brownie-like centers are worth it.

How to Serve Swirled Brownie Cookies with a Peanut Butter Twist

Garnishes

A sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top, right after baking, truly takes these over the top! Or shower a little extra powdered sugar for a pretty finish. If you’re feeling extra-indulgent, a light drizzle of melted chocolate brings even more drama to every bite.

Side Dishes

Serve Swirled Brownie Cookies with a Peanut Butter Twist alongside a cold glass of milk for classic comfort, or pair with creamy vanilla ice cream for a sundae that’s as dreamy as it is nostalgic. Coffee or cold brew also make the chocolate and peanut butter flavors pop even more!

Creative Ways to Present

Stack these cookies high in a cellophane bag tied with twine as a delightful hostess gift, or arrange on a cake stand for an elegant dessert table. For parties, sandwich a scoop of ice cream between two cookies for the ultimate Swirled Brownie Cookies with a Peanut Butter Twist ice cream sandwich.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once completely cooled, keep your cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay perfectly chewy for 3–4 days, making them ideal for lunchboxes or anytime snacks throughout the week.

Freezing

Swirled Brownie Cookies with a Peanut Butter Twist freeze beautifully! Pop cooled cookies into a freezer bag, squeeze out as much air as possible, and freeze for up to two months. You can also freeze unbaked, swirled dough balls and bake straight from the freezer (add a minute or two to the baking time).

Reheating

Want that fresh-from-the-oven warmth? Microwave a cookie for about 10 seconds, or heat in a 300°F (150°C) oven for just a couple of minutes. The chocolate will melt and the peanut butter swirl gets extra gooey and irresistible.

FAQs

Can I use natural peanut butter instead of creamy?

You can, but natural peanut butter is a bit looser and more oily. For best swirls, stick with a thick, no-stir creamy peanut butter. If using natural, add a touch more powdered sugar to thicken the swirl mixture.

Can I make these gluten-free?

Absolutely! Substitute a 1:1 gluten-free all-purpose blend for the regular flour. The cookies will still have that classic fudgy brownie texture, with all the same peanut butter goodness.

How do I know when the cookies are done?

Look for set edges and slightly glossy centers. If you like cookies a bit gooier, pull them out at 10 minutes; for firmer cookies, go closer to 12. They’ll continue to firm as they cool on the pan.

Can I double this recipe for a crowd?

Yes! Swirled Brownie Cookies with a Peanut Butter Twist are always a hit at gatherings, so feel free to double the ingredients and bake in batches. Just don’t overcrowd the baking sheet so the cookies can spread and swirl nicely.

What if I don’t have semi-sweet chocolate chips?

No worries! You can use any chopped chocolate, or even throw in milk or dark chocolate chips for a twist. The recipe is super forgiving when it comes to add-ins.

Final Thoughts

Swirled Brownie Cookies with a Peanut Butter Twist truly deliver the best of both worlds—rich, chocolatey brownie flavor and dreamy ribbons of peanut butter. They’re as fun to make as they are to eat, and I can’t wait for you to share them with your favorite people. Give them a try, and let the swirling (and smiling) begin!