Name: Peanut Butter Chocolate Dipping Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 1 h 2 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1¼ cups all-purpose flour sifted; ½ teaspoon baking powder; ½ teaspoon baking soda; ½ teaspoon kosher salt; ½ cup unsalted butter room temperature; ½ cup creamy peanut butter; ½ cup granulated sugar; ½ cup light brown sugar packed; 1 large egg room temperature; ½ teaspoon vanilla extract; 2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips; 2 teaspoon coconut or vegetable oil; 3 tablespoons holiday sprinkles

There’s something irresistibly cozy about the combination of peanut butter and chocolate, especially when it transforms simple cookies into a festive treat. The Peanut Butter Chocolate Dipping Cookies Recipe I’m sharing today brings that magic right into your kitchen with its soft, chewy texture and a luscious chocolate dip that’s just begging to be devoured.

The image shows several round, light brown cookies with a rough texture arranged closely on a white marbled surface. Each cookie is half covered with smooth, dark chocolate on top, and the chocolate is decorated with colorful sprinkles in red, white, green, and yellow. Some sprinkles are round flat dots, while others are small sticks. The cookies overlap slightly, and some crumbs are scattered around them. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Peanut Butter Chocolate Dipping Cookies Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Peanut Butter Chocolate Dipping Cookies Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Peanut Butter Chocolate Dipping Cookies Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I remember the first time I made these cookies for a holiday gathering—everyone was hooked instantly! What makes this Peanut Butter Chocolate Dipping Cookies Recipe stand out isn’t just the flavors, but how easy it is to whip up a batch and impress friends and family alike.

Perfect Texture: Soft, chewy peanut butter cookies paired with a creamy chocolate coating that melts in your mouth.
Simple Ingredients: You probably have everything in your pantry already, making this great for last-minute baking sessions.
Festive Flair: The fun sprinkles add a pop of color and sparkle, perfect for holiday gifting or party treats.
Customizable: There’s plenty of room to adjust chocolate types, sprinkles, or even add some extra crunch with peanuts or sea salt.

The image shows a wooden square plate filled with ten round cookies arranged randomly. Each cookie is half dipped in dark brown chocolate on one side, topped with colorful festive sprinkles in red, green, yellow, and white. The cookies have a light golden brown color with a slightly crisscross textured surface on the plain side. The plate sits on a white marbled surface, and there is a plaid cloth with red, green, and white colors at the bottom right corner of the image. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Peanut Butter Chocolate Dipping Cookies Recipe plays its role perfectly, combining for a balanced bite of nutty flavor and indulgent chocolate. Here’s what I use and why:

Flat lay of a small mound of sifted all-purpose flour on a simple white ceramic plate, a small white bowl with fine light brown sugar, a small white bowl with granulated sugar, a smooth half cup of unsalted butter in a neat slab on a white ceramic dish, a dollop of creamy peanut butter on a white plate, a single large whole egg with clean shell resting on the white surface, a few semi-sweet chocolate chips scattered on a small white ceramic bowl, a tiny white bowl containing clear coconut oil, a small white bowl filled with colorful holiday sprinkles, all arranged with perfect symmetry and balanced proportions, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

All-purpose flour: Provides structure and chewiness without weighing down the cookie.
Baking powder & baking soda: These leavening agents ensure just the right lift and tenderness.
Kosher salt: Balances sweetness and enhances the peanut butter’s nutty depth.
Unsalted butter: Adds richness and moisture; I always use room temperature for smooth mixing.
Creamy peanut butter: The star ingredient that brings that classic peanut flavor and creamy texture.
Granulated and light brown sugar: The combo adds sweetness with a hint of molasses from the brown sugar for chewiness.
Egg: Binds everything together and lends a bit of fluffiness.
Vanilla extract: Elevates all flavors with a warm, sweet note.
Semi-sweet chocolate chips: Smooth melting chocolate for dipping, balancing salty and sweet.
Coconut or vegetable oil: Mixed into the melted chocolate to give it a silky, glossy finish.
Holiday sprinkles: For the festive touch and crunch after dipping the cookies in chocolate.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of my favorite things about this Peanut Butter Chocolate Dipping Cookies Recipe is how easy it is to personalize. I often switch up the dips and toppings to suit the occasion or my mood—don’t hesitate to get creative!

Variation: Once, I swapped the semi-sweet chocolate for dark chocolate, and the slightly bitter tone paired beautifully with the peanut butter’s sweetness—highly recommend if you like a richer flavor.
Diet-Friendly Adjustments: You can swap granulated sugar for coconut sugar or another substitute for a slightly healthier option, but make sure to keep the moisture balance by not overdoing the swaps.
Seasonal Changes: For Valentine’s Day, using pink and red sprinkles adds a charming touch; for other holidays, pick themed sprinkles or crushed nuts instead.
Crunch Factor: Toss some chopped peanuts on top of the chocolate while it’s still wet for an extra texture boost that I absolutely love.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Peanut Butter Chocolate Dipping Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Prep the Essentials

Start by lining a large baking sheet with parchment paper and preheating your oven to 375°F. This step is crucial for ensuring your cookies bake evenly and don’t stick to the pan. While the oven heats, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl. Sifting helps avoid clumps and creates a lighter dough.

Step 2: Cream the Butters and Sugars

In a larger bowl or your stand mixer, beat the butter, creamy peanut butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture looks smooth and fluffy. This usually takes about 2-3 minutes with a paddle attachment. The creaming step is key to achieving that melt-in-your-mouth softness in the cookie.

Step 3: Add the Egg and Vanilla

Incorporate the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until everything is light and fully blended. The egg helps bind the ingredients and add moisture, so don’t skip this!

Step 4: Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients

Gradually add the dry flour mixture into the wet ingredients. I like to add it in small batches, mixing carefully and scraping down the sides of the bowl to make sure nothing’s left behind. Stop mixing as soon as the dough combines evenly; overmixing can make the cookies tougher.

Step 5: Shape & Bake

Use a medium cookie scoop or spoon to drop even-sized dough balls onto your prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Then, take a fork and gently press each cookie down twice in a crisscross pattern—this gives the classic peanut butter cookie look without flattening them too much. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until the edges look set but the centers are still soft. Let the cookies cool completely on a rack before dipping.

Step 6: Melt and Dip the Chocolate

Melt the chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl, heating for one minute, then stirring well. Heat in additional 30-second bursts until fully melted and smooth. Stir in the coconut or vegetable oil for that glossy finish. Dip each cooled cookie halfway into the chocolate, place them on parchment paper, then sprinkle with your favorite holiday sprinkles. Allow the chocolate to firm up—usually about an hour at room temperature.

Top Tip

Through years of trial and error, I found that letting the cookies cool completely before dipping is non-negotiable for clean, smooth chocolate coverage. If the cookies are even slightly warm, the chocolate won’t set properly, and you might end up with messy drips.

Cool Thoroughly: Always wait until the cookies are room temperature before dipping to avoid melting the chocolate.
Use Room Temperature Butter: This ensures smooth creaming for perfectly tender cookies.
Don’t Overmix Dough: Overworking the flour can cause tougher cookies, so mix just until combined.
Chocolate Melting: Add a little coconut or vegetable oil to the chocolate for a shinier dip and easier slicing after it sets.

How to Serve Peanut Butter Chocolate Dipping Cookies Recipe

peanut butter cookies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually stick to holiday-themed sprinkles because they’re colorful and festive, but sometimes I swap them out for chopped roasted peanuts to add a satisfying crunch and extra peanut flavor. Sea salt sprinkled lightly over the chocolate dip is a game-changer if you’re a fan of sweet and salty combos like me.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair beautifully with hot cocoa or a big mug of coffee—perfect for chilly evenings or holiday parties. I’ve also served them alongside peppermint bark or cinnamon-spiced nuts for a festive dessert spread that impresses every time.

Creative Ways to Present

For gift-giving, I like to stack these cookies in clear cellophane bags tied with a ribbon, or arrange them on holiday platters lined with festive napkins. For a party, you can set out small bowls of different sprinkles and chopped nuts to let guests dip their own cookies—a fun and interactive twist everyone loves!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep leftover Peanut Butter Chocolate Dipping Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, and they stay soft and delicious for up to 7 days. Just be sure to separate layers with parchment paper to keep the chocolate from sticking together.

Freezing

These cookies freeze remarkably well, which is perfect since the recipe makes a big batch. I freeze them after dipping and setting the chocolate, placing parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking. They last for about 3 months frozen and thaw quickly at room temperature when you want a treat.

Reheating

If you want to warm them up, I recommend a quick 10–15 second zap in the microwave—it’s enough to soften the peanut butter and enhance the flavors without melting the chocolate too much. Just watch closely to avoid overheating.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?

Yes! Using salted butter is fine, but since salted butter contains salt already, you should omit the additional ½ teaspoon of kosher salt in the recipe to avoid over-salting.

Can I roll the cookie dough in sugar before baking?

Absolutely, you can roll the cookie dough in granulated sugar before baking for extra sweetness and a slight crunch. However, keep in mind the chocolate dip already adds sweetness, so use sugar sparingly if you prefer less sweet cookies.

Can I substitute melting wafers for chocolate chips?

Yes, melting wafers can be used instead of chocolate chips, and they often melt more smoothly, which is handy for dipping. Just be sure to follow the melting instructions on the packaging to avoid burning.

Do these peanut butter cookies freeze well?

They do freeze well! I recommend freezing the cookies after they’re fully dipped in chocolate and the coating has set. Store them in an airtight container with parchment paper layers, and they’ll keep for up to 3 months in the freezer.

Final Thoughts

This Peanut Butter Chocolate Dipping Cookies Recipe holds a special place on my holiday baking list because it’s so reliably delicious and fun to share. Whether you’re making these with kids, gifting them, or just treating yourself, I promise they’ll bring a smile to your face—just like they did to mine. Give them a try, and enjoy every gooey, chocolatey bite alongside the people you love!