If you’re someone who can never choose between chocolate and peanut butter, these Swirl Cookies with Chocolate and Peanut Butter Delight are exactly what your sweet tooth has been waiting for. With two soft, buttery doughs—one rich with cocoa, the other creamy with peanut butter—gently swirled together in every bite, these cookies are the best of both worlds. They’re soft in the center, lightly crisp on the edges, and absolutely bursting with flavor. This recipe is a treat for both the eyes and the taste buds. The marbled swirl gives them a bakery-style look, but they’re surprisingly easy to make at home. Each cookie has that beautiful contrast of chocolate and peanut butter without overpowering sweetness. They’re balanced, fun to make, and even more fun to eat. Whether you’re baking for a cookie exchange, prepping for the holidays, or just looking for something a little extra to share with friends and family, these cookies are a guaranteed hit. Plus, since the doughs are made separately and then swirled together, you can customize the ratio of chocolate to peanut butter in each one—perfect if you’re partial to one over the other. Let’s get started by preparing the two doughs that make this cookie magic happen.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Peanut Butter Dough:

• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• ½ cup creamy peanut butter
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup packed brown sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1¼ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon salt

For the Chocolate Dough:

• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup packed brown sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• ⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon salt

This recipe makes about 24 cookies, depending on how large you roll them—and trust me, they’ll go fast.

Step 1: Make the Peanut Butter Dough

In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, peanut butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This should take about 2–3 minutes using a hand mixer or stand mixer on medium speed. Add in the egg and vanilla extract, and mix until fully combined. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until a soft, cohesive dough forms. Set the peanut butter dough aside.

 

Step 2: Make the Chocolate Dough

In another bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until smooth and fluffy. Add in the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until well incorporated. In a separate small bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Slowly add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, mixing until a soft chocolate dough forms. Once both doughs are ready, you’re just a few steps away from those beautiful, swirled cookies.

 

Swirl Cookies: Shaping and Baking the Perfect Duo

With both your peanut butter and chocolate doughs ready, it’s time for the fun part—bringing them together into a delicious, swirled masterpiece. This process is where these cookies really stand out. By gently pressing and rolling the two doughs together, you get that signature marbled look without blending the flavors too much. Each bite delivers a little peanut butter, a little chocolate, and a whole lot of cookie goodness. Let’s go step-by-step through shaping, chilling, and baking so you get the perfect texture and swirl every time.

Step 3: Create the Swirl Cookies

Take about 1 tablespoon of each dough—one chocolate, one peanut butter—and press them lightly together with your hands. Gently roll the combined dough into a ball, giving it a slight twist to create that marbled effect. Be careful not to overmix or knead the doughs together too much—you want to keep the swirl pattern distinct. Continue this process until all the dough is used. You should end up with about 24 cookie dough balls. Tip: For extra visual appeal, you can press a small piece of chocolate or peanut butter dough into the top of each ball before baking to highlight the swirl.

Step 4: Chill the Cookie Dough Balls

Place the rolled cookie dough balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet or tray and chill them in the refrigerator for 15 to 20 minutes. This quick chill helps firm up the dough so the cookies hold their shape in the oven and bake with a slightly thicker, chewier texture. If you’re short on time, a 10-minute chill in the freezer will also work.

 

Step 5: Preheat the Oven

While the cookies are chilling, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Make sure your rack is centered in the oven for even baking.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Once chilled, arrange the cookie dough balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges are just set and the centers still look slightly soft. Don’t overbake! The cookies will continue to set as they cool on the pan.

Step 7: Cool and Enjoy

Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Or enjoy one (or two) while they’re still warm and gooey—the swirl of peanut butter and chocolate is hard to resist straight out of the oven.

 

Swirl Cookies with Chocolate and Peanut Butter: FAQ and Final Thoughts

There’s something truly special about a cookie that brings together two classic flavors in one perfect bite—and these Swirl Cookies with Chocolate and Peanut Butter Delight do exactly that. With their rich cocoa base and creamy peanut butter twist, they’re everything a cookie should be: chewy, flavorful, and visually impressive. Now that you’ve baked up a batch (or plan to very soon), let’s go over some common questions to make sure your cookies turn out just right every time. 1. Can I make the doughs ahead of time? Yes, both doughs can be made up to 48 hours in advance. Store them in airtight containers in the refrigerator. When ready to bake, let the doughs sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes to soften slightly before assembling and swirling. 2. Can I freeze these cookies? Absolutely. Once the cookie dough balls are assembled and swirled, place them on a baking sheet and freeze until firm. Then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. Bake straight from frozen—just add 1 to 2 extra minutes to the baking time. 3. Do I have to chill the dough before baking? Chilling the dough helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much during baking and enhances their texture. If you’re in a hurry, a quick 10–15 minute chill in the fridge will still make a difference. 4. Can I use crunchy peanut butter? You can, but the texture will be different. Crunchy peanut butter adds a bit of a bite and some extra nuttiness, but for that soft and creamy dough, creamy peanut butter works best. 5. What type of cocoa powder should I use? Regular unsweetened cocoa powder is perfect for this recipe. You can also use Dutch-processed for a deeper, richer chocolate flavor. 6. How should I store the baked cookies? Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For longer storage, freeze the baked cookies in a sealed bag for up to 2 months. 7. Can I add mix-ins like chocolate chips or chopped nuts? Absolutely! Feel free to add mini chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, or even chopped roasted peanuts to either dough for added texture and flavor.

Conclusion: The Best of Both Worlds in Every Bite

These Swirl Cookies with Chocolate and Peanut Butter Delight are more than just a pretty cookie—they’re a fun, flavorful twist on two timeless classics. Whether you’re baking them for a party, holiday tray, or just an afternoon pick-me-up, they deliver on taste and presentation every single time. With soft centers, crisp edges, and a striking marbled design, they’re the kind of cookie that makes people stop and ask, “Did you really make these?” And yes, you did. Once you try them, don’t be surprised if they become a regular in your baking rotation. And if you mix things up—maybe a Nutella swirl or a caramel twist—be sure to share your version in the comments. There’s always room to experiment when it comes to cookies. Here’s to baking something sweet, a little swirled, and completely irresistible. Enjoy! Print