Peanut Butter Filled Brownie Cookies

Peanut Butter Filled Brownie Cookies are rich, fudgy chocolate cookies with a surprise creamy peanut butter center. These indulgent treats combine the best of brownies and cookies, delivering a delicious flavor combo in every bite.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These cookies offer everything: a crackly brownie top, a gooey chocolate middle, and a sweet peanut butter filling. They’re perfect for holidays, bake sales, or whenever you want a decadent treat. The combination of chocolate and peanut butter never fails to please, and these cookies look just as impressive as they taste.

ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Peanut butter filling:

  • Creamy peanut butter
  • Powdered sugar

Brownie cookie dough:

  • Semi-sweet chocolate
  • Unsweetened cocoa powder
  • Butter
  • Granulated sugar
  • Brown sugar
  • Eggs
  • Vanilla extract
  • All-purpose flour
  • Baking powder
  • Salt
  • Optional: espresso powder

directions

  1. Mix the peanut butter and powdered sugar until smooth. Roll into small balls and freeze for at least 1 hour.
  2. Melt chocolate and butter together, then stir in cocoa powder and let cool slightly.
  3. Whisk eggs, sugars, and vanilla, then combine with the chocolate mixture.
  4. Stir in flour, baking powder, salt, and espresso powder (if using). Chill dough for at least 30 minutes.
  5. Scoop dough and flatten slightly. Place a frozen peanut butter ball in the center, then fold dough around it and seal.
  6. Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment. Bake at 350°F for 10–13 minutes.
  7. Let cookies cool for 10 minutes before transferring to a rack.

Servings and timing

  • Servings: About 24 cookies
  • Prep time: 30 minutes (plus 1 hour chilling)
  • Cook time: 10–13 minutes
  • Total time: ~1 hour 45 minutes

Variations

  • Swap peanut butter for almond or sunflower seed butter
  • Use dark chocolate for a richer taste
  • Add a drizzle of melted chocolate or ganache after baking
  • Stir in mini chocolate chips for extra texture
  • Top with flaky sea salt for a sweet-salty finish

storage/reheating

  • Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days
  • Freeze baked cookies or unbaked dough balls for up to 3 months
  • Reheat in the microwave for 10–15 seconds to restore gooey centers

FAQs

Can I use natural peanut butter?

Yes, but it may be runnier. Mixing it with powdered sugar helps stabilize the filling.

How do I prevent the filling from leaking?

Freeze the peanut butter balls and make sure the cookie dough seals tightly around them.

Can I use boxed brownie mix?

Yes. Prepare the mix as directed with less liquid and more flour for a dough-like consistency.

What’s the purpose of espresso powder?

It enhances the chocolate flavor without making the cookies taste like coffee.

Do I need to chill the dough?

Chilling helps the cookies hold their shape and prevents spreading.

Can I make these gluten-free?

Yes, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.

Are these cookies freezer-friendly?

Absolutely—freeze before or after baking for long-term storage.

How fudgy are they?

Very! The texture is chewy with soft centers, just like brownies.

Can I make mini versions?

Yes—just use smaller portions of dough and filling, and reduce bake time.

What’s the best chocolate to use?

Semi-sweet or dark baking chocolate bars work best for rich flavor and smooth melting.

Conclusion

Peanut Butter Filled Brownie Cookies are the ultimate treat for chocolate and peanut butter lovers. With their gooey centers and rich brownie-like texture, they’re irresistible straight from the oven or even days later. Perfect for impressing guests or indulging your sweet tooth!

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Peanut Butter Filled Brownie Cookies

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Soft, fudgy brownie-like cookies with a creamy peanut butter surprise in the center—rich, indulgent, and perfect for peanut butter lovers.

  • Author: Beth
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 12 minutes
  • Total Time: 27 minutes (including cooling)
  • Yield: 18 cookies 1x
  • Category: Cookie / Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American-inspired
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1/2 cup (115 g) unsalted butter
  • 8 oz (225 g) semi-sweet chocolate, chopped
  • 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 3/4 cup (95 g) all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup (25 g) unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter (for filling)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 °F (175 °C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Melt butter and chopped chocolate in a heatproof bowl over a pan of simmering water or in microwaves—stir until smooth. Let cool slightly.
  3. Whisk in sugar, then beat in eggs one at a time, followed by vanilla extract.
  4. Sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt; fold into chocolate mixture until just combined.
  5. Scoop dough into 1½‑Tbsp portions. Flatten each slightly in your hand.
  6. Place about 1 tsp peanut butter in the center of half the scoops. Top with remaining dough, seal edges, and form into balls.
  7. Arrange on baking sheet, spacing 2 inches apart.
  8. Bake 10–12 minutes until edges are set but centers look slightly underbaked.
  9. Cool on sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to finish cooling.

Notes

  • For chunkier filling, chill dough balls for 15 minutes before baking.
  • Use flavored peanut butter (e.g., honey-roasted) for extra depth.
  • Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days, or freeze baked cookies for up to 2 months.
  • Optionally, sprinkle coarse salt on top before baking for a sweet-salty twist.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cookie
  • Calories: 150 kcal
  • Sugar: 12 g
  • Sodium: 95 mg
  • Fat: 9 g
  • Saturated Fat: 4 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 16 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 3 g
  • Cholesterol: 25 mg

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