Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Pretzel Cookies
I have a small confession. For the longest time, I could not get myself to eat peanut butter in sweet situations. In Sierra Leone where I grew up, we use peanut butter to make killer chicken or fish “ground nut” soups aka peanut butter stews that are spicy and full of savory flavors. We also use it as a thickening agent in a very popular local dish called cassava leaves. So for a very long time, I found it odd for peanut butter to be used in sweets because it’s always been associated with savory spicy dishes for me.
But then I met Reese’s peanut butter cups. And everything changed.
Chocolate and peanut butter were just meant to be and since then I’ve been convinced the combination of peanut butter in sweets is a great idea. Thanks to this past year of baking adventures, I am over the moon about the combination even more. Of course it does help that a certain someone I live with is addicted to peanut butter cups. Now we both enjoy peanut butter in spicy African stews and in baked goods like these peanut butter chocolate chip pretzel cookies.
I made these cookies a few weeks ago to send to my August Bakin Friends, Steph of Steph’s Bite by Bite. They are soft peanut butter cookies studded with crunchy pretzels, M&Ms and chocolate chips. It’s the perfect sweet and salty combination!
And since it’s Friday, these would definitely be a great way to start the weekend! Make these peanut butter chocolate chip pretzel cookies to share with loved ones (or not!).
Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Pretzel Cookies
These soft peanut butter cookies are studded with crunchy pretzels, M&Ms and chocolate chips. It’s the perfect sweet and salty combination!
Ingredients
- 1 ¾ all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons malt powder
- 3 cups chopped salted pretzels
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups light brown sugar
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- 1 cup Reese’s pieces or M&Ms
- Sea salt
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, malt powder and pretzels.
- In the bowl of an electric mixer, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes on medium speed. Add in the peanut butter and beat until combined. Add in the eggs, one at a time. Scrape down bowl as needed. Add in vanilla extract.
- Reduce speed to low and slowly beat in the dry ingredients. Mix until combined. Finish folding the flour by hand since dough will be stiff. Stir in the chocolate chips and Reese’s pieces.
- Chill dough for 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 300 degrees F. Line baking sheets with a silicone mat or parchment paper.
- Drop tablespoon- sized dough on baking sheet and flatten slightly into disks. Sprinkle with sea salt.
- Bake for 14-16 minutes or until lightly golden on top. Cool in pan for 5 minutes before moving to a wire rack to cool completely.
Have a great weekend!
Well, you know I’m all over these! I am SO IN LOVE with peanut butter cookies!
Dorothy I thought of you when I posted these. I had just read your husband-approved cookie post! I’m glad you like them :). Thanks!
I’d be all over these cookies if they were in front of me, because I love that sweet and salty thing! Peanut butter pretzels are one of my favorite snacks. 🙂
Marcie me too! I love sweet and salty very much 🙂
Chocolate and peanut butter is definitely the best combo ever- glad you have come around to the idea! But that spicy stew sounds really good. I once tried peanut soup, and although it wasn’t spicy, it was really good too!
Meghan, spicy stews are the best but again I am biased because all I eat is spicy food lol!
I love pretzel cookies so much, they are the sun on a rainy day for me! Definitely would like to make these soon!
I’m so glad you like pretzel cookies. This is my first try and I am in love!
Mmmm I love a good peanut butter cookie and these definitely take it up a notch with the pretzels, chocolate chips and M&M’s!! I’m glad that you came around to peanut sweets. If I actually sit and think about it, I don’t think I’ve ever really eaten peanut butter in a savory dish so… I mean I’ve had peanut butter and jelly sandwiches but it’s kinda on the sweet side if you think about it. I’d love to see this peanut butter soup you talk about!!
Emily I’m going to make this soup and share it here one day!! It’s pretty good and you can try peanut butter in a savory setting.
I agree with you on being big on peanut butter in Sierra Leonean dishes but not so much so in others. Its the raw peanut butter that I don’t quite lie. Somehow tastes different in Sierra Leone. But hey ho. I love these fab colourful cookies.
Yes Bintu, the raw peanut butter is best for savory dishes. I think sticking with the regular creamy peanut butter for sweets is best!
These cookies look soooo good!!!! I agree too, Peanut butter and chocolate are just made for each other! This is soooo amazing! 🙂
Thanks Samina!
silly girl thinking pb is for sweets-so glad you’ve learned better 😉 These cookies look FAB!
I learned so fast…and I am so happy I did because I was missing out clearly 😉
I love peanut butter in all things – sweet and savory! I love “loaded” cookies like this, and the sweet & salty action that’s going on here!
Thanks Kelli! I love the loading cookies too 🙂
I do enjoy a good pb cookie – but stuffed with Reeses and pretzels? You took it to the next level! I think that is so neat about growing up with pb being a savory ingredient … could you share that stew recipe? (Or have you already and I missed it?)
I haven’t shared it so you didn’t miss it at all. I actually don’t have a recipe, I usually just make it from memory but next time I do, I will take note of the recipe!!
Well I’m definitely glad you came around to this whole peanut butter in sweets thing! It’s my favorite. In all applications, sweet or savory. But especially paired with chocolate. Love how sweet and salty these are!
I know..it was just a culture shock at first but so glad I am on-board!
Wow…that’s a interesting cookie recipe….love it….
Thanks Lubhna!