Chocolate and Peanut Butter Desserts: Easy Cookies, Brownies, Candy, and More!
Discover the best chocolate and peanut butter desserts! From cookies and brownies to homemade candy and no-bake treats, these easy recipes are irresistible.
If there's one flavor combination that never seems to go out of style, it's chocolate and peanut butter! Whether you're craving a rich, fudgy brownie, a soft peanut butter cookie, or a creamy no-bake dessert, these two ingredients are a match made in dessert heaven.
Here at Out of the Box Baking, I've made my fair share of chocolate and peanut butter treats over the years. Some start with a boxed mix, others are made from scratch, and several require little or no baking at all.
I've gathered my favorites into one delicious collection so you can find exactly what you're craving.
Why Chocolate and Peanut Butter Are So Good Together
Chocolate brings a deep, rich sweetness, while peanut butter adds a slightly salty, nutty flavor that balances everything beautifully. Put them together, and you've got a combination that works in just about every kind of dessert.
And the best part? You don't have to be an experienced baker to enjoy these recipes. Many are easy enough for beginners, and several use convenient shortcuts.
Chocolate and Peanut Butter Brownies, Brookies, and Bars
Let's start with the rich, chewy treats. These are especially good when you're baking for a crowd, packing lunchbox treats, or sharing goodies with family.
Easy Reese's Pieces Brookies (Cookie Mix Brownies)
These easy brookies combine a Reese's Pieces cookie layer with rich chocolate brownies. They're made with two convenient store-bought mixes, making them a terrific shortcut dessert. The combination of chewy cookie and fudgy brownie is absolutely delicious!
Peanut Butter Brookie Cookie Cups
Why choose between cookies and brownies when you can enjoy both? These individual cookie cups combine peanut butter cookie goodness with a chocolate brownie center. They're perfect for parties and dessert trays.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Chewies
These layered bars bring together a golden peanut butter cookie layer and a rich chocolate brownie layer. They're chewy, chocolatey, and especially appealing to anyone who loves two desserts in one.
Healthy Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars with Chocolate Chips
Looking for something a little different? These peanut butter oatmeal bars offer a hearty texture with plenty of chocolate chip goodness. They're a great option when you're craving a homemade snack-style treat.
Chocolate and Peanut Butter Cookies
Cookies might be my favorite way to enjoy this classic combination. From soft and chewy to crisp and crunchy, there's something here for everyone.
Soft Peanut Butter Reese's Pieces Cookies
These soft peanut butter cookies are loaded with colorful Reese's Pieces candies. They're fun to make, delicious to eat, and perfect for anyone who enjoys that familiar peanut butter and chocolate combination.
Easy Peanut Butter Cookie Cups
These little peanut butter cookie cups are filled with chocolate and decorated with peanut butter and colorful candies. They're bite-sized treats that look especially cute on a party platter.
Simple Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies
Rich chocolate cookies with peanut butter chips offer plenty of flavor in every bite. They're a wonderful choice when you want the chocolate to take center stage.
Classic Peanut Butter Blossoms
Few cookies are more recognizable than peanut butter blossoms! Soft peanut butter cookies topped with chocolate kisses make a classic treat for holidays, cookie exchanges, and everyday baking.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Pinwheel Cookies
These pretty cookies combine chocolate and peanut butter dough in a beautiful spiral pattern. They're a little more decorative than your average cookie and make a lovely addition to a cookie tray.
Peanut Butter Nutella Sandwich Cookies
If you love peanut butter and chocolate-hazelnut spread, you'll enjoy these sandwich cookies. They're a wonderful combination of nutty, chocolatey, and sweet flavors.
Spanish Peanut Chocolate Chip Cookies
These cookies combine chocolate chips with the distinctive flavor and crunch of Spanish peanuts. They're a delicious twist on a familiar favorite.
Peanut Butter Ranger Cookies
These hearty cookies are a fun variation on traditional ranger cookies. If you're looking for a cookie with plenty of texture and flavor, they're worth exploring.
Chocolate and Peanut Butter Candy, Fudge, and No-Bake Treats
Not every delicious dessert requires turning on the oven! These recipes are especially handy for holidays, gift giving, or those days when you want something sweet without a lot of work.
Easy Peanut Butter Chocolate Fudge (Microwave Recipe)
This easy microwave fudge combines rich chocolate with creamy peanut butter swirls. It's a wonderful homemade candy for the holidays, but there's no reason to wait for a special occasion to enjoy it.
How to Make Copycat Reese's Peanut Butter Cups at Home
If you've ever wanted to make your own chocolate peanut butter cups, this recipe is for you! These homemade candies feature the classic chocolate-and-peanut-butter combination in an irresistible little package.
Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Crackers
Sweet, salty, crunchy, and chocolatey! These chocolate-covered peanut butter crackers are made in decorative molds, turning a simple treat into something special.
Luscious No-Bake Peanut Butter Pie
This creamy peanut butter pie is loaded with chocolate and peanut butter goodness. It's a wonderful make-ahead dessert when you want something impressive without spending hours in the kitchen.
Chocolate and Peanut Butter Muffins and Quick Breads
Who says chocolate and peanut butter are just for cookies and candy? These flavors work beautifully in muffins and quick breads, too.
Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Banana Bread
Banana bread gets an extra layer of flavor with peanut butter and chocolate chips. It's a delicious way to turn ripe bananas into something a little more indulgent.
Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Muffins
These peanut butter muffins are dotted with chocolate chips and make a tasty breakfast treat, afternoon snack, or simple dessert.
Tips for Baking with Chocolate and Peanut Butter
Choose the right peanut butter. Most traditional baking recipes work best with conventional creamy peanut butter unless otherwise specified. Natural peanut butter can sometimes change the texture of cookies and bars.
Don't overbake your brownies. Brownies and brookies are especially delicious when they retain a soft, fudgy texture. Follow the individual recipe instructions and remember that many bars continue setting as they cool.
Try different types of chocolate. Milk chocolate provides a sweeter flavor, while semisweet or dark chocolate offers a richer contrast to peanut butter.
Let layered desserts cool before cutting. Brownies, brookies, and bars usually slice more neatly once they've had time to set.
Dress up your treats. Chocolate drizzle, peanut butter drizzle, chopped peanuts, or a few extra peanut butter candies can make a simple dessert look bakery-worthy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I substitute crunchy peanut butter for creamy peanut butter?
In many recipes, yes! Crunchy peanut butter adds extra texture, especially to cookies and bars. However, creamy peanut butter is usually best for smooth fudge, fillings, and certain no-bake desserts.
Can chocolate and peanut butter desserts be frozen?
Many cookies, brownies, brookies, and bars freeze beautifully. Wrap them tightly and store them in a freezer-safe container. Creamy pies and candy may have different storage requirements, so check the individual recipes.
What kind of chocolate goes best with peanut butter?
Milk chocolate and semisweet chocolate are both excellent choices. Milk chocolate creates a sweeter combination, while semisweet chocolate balances the richness of peanut butter.
What are the easiest chocolate and peanut butter desserts for beginners?
I'd start with the microwave peanut butter chocolate fudge, chocolate-covered peanut butter crackers, or the easy Reese's Pieces brookies. They're approachable recipes with delicious results.
Can I make these desserts ahead of time?
Absolutely! Many cookies, bars, candies, and no-bake desserts are ideal for making ahead. Some even taste better after they've had time to set.
More Peanut Butter Desserts You'll Love
Still craving peanut butter? I've got even more recipes to share!
Be sure to explore my 15 Easy Peanut Butter Desserts collection, where you'll find additional cookies, candies, and sweet treats featuring one of my favorite baking ingredients.
And if brownies are your weakness, don't miss my How to Doctor a Brownie Mix guide. It's filled with simple ways to transform an ordinary boxed brownie mix into something extraordinary.
That's a Wrap!
Whether you're making a batch of cookies for the grandkids, preparing homemade candy for Christmas, or baking a pan of rich, chewy brookies just because, chocolate and peanut butter are always a winning combination.
I hope this collection inspires you to try something new. With so many delicious possibilities, the hardest part might be deciding which recipe to make first!
Thanks for stopping by Out of the Box Baking. Happy baking, friends! Before you go, why not pin some photos to your Pinterest boards?
