If you’re searching for the ultimate cookie experience, look no further than these Peanut Butter Chunker Cookies. Packed with creamy peanut butter, a mix of dark and milk chocolate chunks, crunchy pretzels, buttery toffee, and honey roasted peanuts, these cookies are pure bliss in every bite. They’re everything you dreamed a cookie could be: chewy, chunky, salty-sweet, and irresistibly crunchy – truly the answer to every peanut butter lover’s prayers!

Peanut Butter Chunker Cookies Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

You only need a handful of familiar, pantry-friendly treasures to make brilliant Peanut Butter Chunker Cookies. Each ingredient pulls its weight: some create softness, some add texture, and others deliver all that glorious flavor and contrast we adore.

Butter (1 cup, softened): The base for softness and flavor, making sure every bite melts in your mouth.
Smooth Peanut Butter (2/3 cup): The peanutty backbone; creamy, nostalgic, and so satisfying.
Brown Sugar (1 ½ cups): Adds deep butterscotch undertones and helps the cookies stay chewy.
Dark Brown Sugar (½ cup): Brings extra moisture and a touch of molasses richness.
Vanilla Extract (1 ½ tsp): Perfumes the dough and highlights all the nuanced flavors.
Eggs (2): Essential for binding everything together and contributing to a tender crumb.
All Purpose Flour (2 cups): The classic structure giver: keeps everything together.
Rolled Oats (1 cup): For chewy texture and a hint of hearty complexity.
Baking Soda (1 ½ tsp): Gives our cookies lift and helps them spread just the right amount.
Cornstarch (1 tsp): Ensures extra-soft, almost melt-in-your-mouth centers.
Salt (¼ tsp): Sharpens all the flavors and keeps the sweetness in balance.
Cinnamon (¼ tsp): A whisper of warmth without overpowering the peanut butter.
Dark Chocolate Chunks (½ cup): Adds pockets of intense, bittersweet decadence.
Milk Chocolate Chunks (½ cup): For creaminess and a touch of sweet nostalgia.
Skor Toffee Bits (½ cup): Brings buttery caramel crunch throughout every bite.
Pretzel Pieces (1 cup): The secret to a salty, crisp surprise.
Honey Roasted Peanuts (½ cup): A bonus pop of flavor and crave-able crunch.

How to Make Peanut Butter Chunker Cookies

Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Baking Sheets

Begin by preheating your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper — depending on how much dough you want to bake right away. This little step ensures your Peanut Butter Chunker Cookies won’t stick and makes cleanup a breeze.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Peanut Butter

In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream your softened butter together with the peanut butter. Mix until the combination is velvety and uniform. This is what guarantees every bite of your cookies stays tender and absolutely packed with peanut flavor.

Step 3: Add Sugars and Blend Until Fluffy

Now, scrape in both the brown sugar and the dark brown sugar. Beat on medium speed until the mixture turns light and fluffy — this usually takes a few minutes. Pause to scrape down the sides of the bowl if needed. This airiness makes your Peanut Butter Chunker Cookies lighter and gives that perfect chew.

Step 4: Incorporate Eggs and Vanilla

Add the eggs, one at a time, beating until each is fully incorporated and the mixture is creamy and slightly lightened. Pour in the vanilla extract and give it another good mix. You’ll already smell that cookie magic starting to happen!

Step 5: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a separate smaller bowl, whisk together the flour, rolled oats, baking soda, cornstarch, salt, and cinnamon. This ensures everything is evenly distributed so your cookies bake up with a balanced, irresistible texture.

Step 6: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Add the dry mixture to your wet mixture in two additions. Beat at the lowest speed or stir gently until just combined — don’t overmix. The dough should be soft and a bit sticky, which is exactly what you want for Peanut Butter Chunker Cookies.

Step 7: Add Your Mix-Ins

This is the best part! Swap to low speed and toss in your dark and milk chocolate chunks, Skor toffee bits, pretzel pieces, and honey roasted peanuts. Mix just until everything is evenly spread out and gloriously chunky.

Step 8: Scoop and Space Out

Using a cookie scoop or two spoons, scoop about 1 tablespoon of dough for each cookie onto your prepared baking sheets. Leave 1.5 to 2 inches between dollops to give them room to spread and get those lovely crackly tops. I recommend no more than 12 cookies per tray for best results.

Step 9: Bake to Golden Perfection

Slide your trays into the oven and bake for 10 to 12 minutes. Watch for golden edges and tops that just begin to crack. If you want softer centers, lean closer to 10 minutes. If you prefer them crispier, err toward 12. Let your Peanut Butter Chunker Cookies cool for at least five minutes — if you can resist diving in right away!

How to Serve Peanut Butter Chunker Cookies

Garnishes

For a simple but special finish, sprinkle your warm cookies with a pinchy flourish of flaky sea salt. This highlights every flavor note: it dials up the chocolate, accentuates the peanut butter, and brings out that amazing sweet-salty twist. If you’re feeling extra, a drizzle of melted chocolate across the tops never hurt anyone!

Side Dishes

Few things beat the classic combination of cookies and cold milk, but these Peanut Butter Chunker Cookies also pair beautifully with an iced coffee, a chai latte, or even a scoop of vanilla or coffee ice cream on the side. For a party platter, surround them with fresh berries or cluster them with a selection of other small cookies for a bakery-style spread.

Creative Ways to Present

Get festive and stack the cookies into rustic towers, tie a few with bakery string for edible gifts, or use them as the “buns” for über-decadent ice cream sandwiches. You could even crumble a couple over peanut butter or chocolate pudding for some extra crunch. However you choose, these Peanut Butter Chunker Cookies always steal the show.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Let your cookies cool completely and then store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll keep their chunky chew for about 3 to 4 days. If you like a slightly firmer bite, just pop the container in the fridge — they’ll still be delicious, especially with a quick warm-up.

Freezing

These Peanut Butter Chunker Cookies are fabulous for freezing! Freeze the baked cookies in layers separated by parchment paper in a freezer-safe zip-top bag or container. For the freshest taste, enjoy within two months. You can also freeze scoops of raw cookie dough and bake them directly from frozen (add a minute or two to the baking time).

Reheating

For that “fresh-out-of-the-oven” experience, warm cookies in a 300 degree oven for about 5 minutes, or zap individual cookies in the microwave for just 10-15 seconds. The chocolate and toffee bits get beautifully gooey all over again!

FAQs

Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of smooth?

Absolutely! Crunchy peanut butter will only amp up the peanut flavor and add even more texture to these Peanut Butter Chunker Cookies. Just keep an eye on your salt content, depending on the peanut butter you choose.

What can I substitute for Skor toffee bits?

If you can’t find Skor toffee bits, try using chopped Heath bars or another toffee candy. You could also use caramel chips or butterscotch chips for a slightly different, but still delicious, flavor profile.

Can I make these cookies gluten-free?

Yes — swap in your favorite gluten-free all-purpose baking blend for the regular flour, and make sure your pretzels are gluten-free, too. The results will still be delightfully chunky and full of peanut butter goodness!

How do I know when my cookies are done?

Check for edges that are golden brown and slightly crisp, and tops that have begun to crack. The centers may still look a little soft when you pull them out, but they’ll set as they cool. That’s how Peanut Butter Chunker Cookies stay gooey and chewy in the middle!

Can I double the recipe for a crowd?

Definitely! This recipe scales up beautifully. Just mix the dough in batches if your mixer bowl isn’t big enough, and bake off as many trays as you need. Peanut Butter Chunker Cookies make fantastic party treats or gifts.

Final Thoughts

I hope you give these Peanut Butter Chunker Cookies a try and love them every bit as much as I do! Every batch is loaded with flavor, texture, and enough delicious surprises to make your friends and family swoon. So gather your favorite mix-ins, get the oven warm, and treat yourself — you deserve it!