Name: Peanut Butter Chocolate Christmas Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 1 h 30 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 truly magical about the combo of rich chocolate and creamy peanut butter during the holidays—warm, comforting, and just a little indulgent. This Peanut Butter Chocolate Christmas Cookies Recipe brings that festive joy right to your kitchen with every bite, making it a must-make this season.

The image shows many round cookies with a light brown, crumbly texture. Each cookie is partly dipped in smooth, dark brown chocolate covering about half of the cookie's top side. On the chocolate part, there are colorful sprinkles in red, green, white, and some small flat round shapes mixed with longer strands. The cookies are placed closely together on a white marbled surface with a few crumbs scattered around. 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 Christmas Cookies Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Peanut Butter Chocolate Christmas Cookies Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Peanut Butter Chocolate Christmas Cookies Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’ve made a lot of holiday cookies in my time, but these Peanut Butter Chocolate Christmas Cookies hold a special place on my baking list. They’re brilliantly simple, incredibly flavorful, and so fun to decorate with festive sprinkles. Honestly, these cookies radiate holiday cheer, and I’m excited for you to experience that too.

A perfect flavor combo: Peanut butter and chocolate are a classic duo that work together like holiday magic in these cookies.
Easy yet impressive: Don't let the simplicity fool you—these cookies look like you spent hours decorating, thanks to that chocolate dip and sprinkles.
Flexible for your kitchen: You can easily swap out sprinkles or chocolate types to tailor the recipe to your taste or dietary needs.
Great for sharing: This recipe makes a large batch, perfect if you like to share festive goodies with friends and family—or hide some for yourself!

A wooden tray holds ten round cookies, each half dipped in dark chocolate and topped with colorful sprinkles in red, green, white, and yellow. The cookies have a light golden color with a slightly cracked texture, and the sprinkles are scattered neatly on the chocolate side, with a few falling onto the tray. The tray sits on a white marbled surface, and part of a white plate with a red rim is visible in the upper left corner. A red, green, and white plaid cloth is partially seen at the bottom right corner. The overall look is festive and inviting, photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

The ingredients in this Peanut Butter Chocolate Christmas Cookies Recipe balance each other beautifully. The peanut butter lends creamy richness and a subtle savory note, while the chocolate chips add melty sweetness. Butter and sugars create that tender, chewy bite we all love, and the touch of vanilla pulls everything together. Here's a quick rundown of what to look for when shopping:

Flat lay of a small mound of sifted all-purpose flour, a small white ceramic bowl with a mix of baking powder, baking soda, and kosher salt, a half cup of unsalted butter in a simple white ceramic dish, a dollop of creamy peanut butter on a white ceramic plate, a half cup of granulated sugar in a small white bowl, a half cup of light brown sugar packed in a white ceramic bowl, one large whole uncracked egg, a small white bowl of clear vanilla extract, a simple white ceramic bowl filled with semi-sweet chocolate chips, a small white bowl holding coconut oil, and a small white bowl containing colorful holiday sprinkles, all arranged with perfect symmetry, fresh and natural, 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: The base of your cookies—make sure to sift for lightness and consistent mixing.
Baking powder & baking soda: These help the cookies rise gently and give them a nice texture.
Kosher salt: Salt is that behind-the-scenes hero that enhances all the sweet and nutty flavors.
Unsalted butter: Using unsalted lets you control the salt level; room temperature butter creams better with sugars.
Creamy peanut butter: Smooth style works best here to keep the cookie tender and easy to shape.
Granulated & light brown sugars: Granulated adds sweetness and slight crispness, while brown sugar brings moisture and depth.
Egg and vanilla extract: The egg binds your dough, and vanilla adds warmth and complexity.
Semi-sweet chocolate chips: Melting chocolate for dipping brings that glossy finish and extra chocolate punch.
Coconut or vegetable oil: Added to melted chocolate to keep it smooth and shiny for dipping.
Holiday sprinkles: The festive touch that makes these cookies holiday-ready—they add crunch and color, but feel free to mix it up!

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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

I love how versatile this Peanut Butter Chocolate Christmas Cookies Recipe is. While I adore the classic chocolate dip and sprinkles, I’ve had fun tinkering with mix-ins and toppings to suit my mood or occasion. You’ll find plenty of ways to make this recipe your own once you try it!

Variation: One of my favorites is adding crushed peanuts alongside the sprinkles for a delightful salty crunch that contrasts beautifully with the sweet chocolate.
Dairy-free option: Swap butter for a plant-based alternative and use dairy-free chocolate chips—the cookies still turn out fantastic!
Different chocolates: Sometimes I substitute semi-sweet chips with dark chocolate for a richer flavor or milk chocolate for extra sweetness, especially if I’m giving cookies to my chocolate-loving niece.
Festive touches: Don’t hesitate to switch sprinkles according to the holiday—think pastel for Easter or orange and black for Halloween to celebrate all year long.

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

Step 1: Ready Your Oven and Prep Your Pan

First things first, preheat the oven to 375°F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Trust me, this simple step saves you so much cleanup and helps the cookies bake evenly without sticking, guaranteeing those perfect bottoms every time.

Step 2: Mix Your Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the sifted all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and kosher salt. Take a moment here to sift—this tiny extra effort prevents lumps and helps your cookies stay light and tender. It’s one of those small baking wins that add up.

Step 3: Cream Butter, Peanut Butter, and Sugars

Grab a large bowl or your stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Beat the softened butter, creamy peanut butter, granulated sugar, and light brown sugar together until smooth and fluffy. This 3–4 minutes of mixing is key—it incorporates air, leading to that slight puff and soft texture in the cookies.

Step 4: Add Egg and Vanilla

Mix in your large egg and the vanilla extract until the batter lightens up a bit and blends well. The egg keeps everything together, so don’t skip or replace unless you have a good substitute on hand.

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Now, slowly add the dry mix into the wet ingredients. Mix just until combined, scraping down the bowl’s sides to get every bit in. Overmixing can toughen cookies, so a gentle hand here goes a long way.

Step 6: Portion and Shape the Cookies

Using a medium cookie scoop (about 1.5 tablespoons), drop dough balls at least two inches apart on your prepared sheet. Take a fork and gently press them down with a crisscross pattern—two presses per cookie—making sure to keep the round edges intact. This gives them that classic peanut butter cookie look and helps even baking.

Step 7: Bake and Cool

Bake for 10 to 12 minutes. You want them just golden around the edges but still soft in the middle—that’s your cue to pull them out. Immediately transfer the cookies to a cooling rack so they finish setting without getting too hard or soggy from steam.

Step 8: Melt Chocolate and Add Oil

In a small bowl, melt chocolate chips in the microwave starting with one minute, stir, then continue melting at 30-second intervals, stirring well each time until completely smooth. Stir in the coconut or vegetable oil to get a shiny, smooth finish that’s perfect for dipping and hardens beautifully.

Step 9: Dip, Decorate, and Set

Half-dip each cooled cookie in the melted chocolate, letting excess drip off, then place them back on parchment paper. Sprinkle immediately with your holiday sprinkles while the chocolate is still wet for that delightful festive pop. Let them set for about an hour until the chocolate firms up completely.

Top Tip

Having made these peanut butter chocolate Christmas cookies dozens of times, I’ve learned a few things that really make a difference in the outcome. These tips will help you avoid common pitfalls and make the process smoother and more fun.

Room Temperature Ingredients: Always use room temp butter and egg for better creaming and smoother dough — it really affects texture.
Don't Skip Sifting: Sifting flour with leavening agents prevents lumps and helps with even mixing and better cookie rise.
Cookie Spacing: Leave 2 inches between dough balls to avoid them spreading into each other during baking.
Chocolate Melting: Melt chocolate gently in short bursts, stirring well to avoid burning or seizing.

How to Serve Peanut Butter Chocolate Christmas Cookies Recipe

peanut butter chocolate cookies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually stick with classic red and green holiday sprinkles because they instantly make the cookies look festive and fun. For a bit of crunch and flavor, crushed roasted peanuts on top add a lovely contrast. I’ve also tried sprinkling a tiny pinch of flaky sea salt after dipping in chocolate—it elevates the flavor and keeps things from being overly sweet.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair beautifully with a warm cup of spiced hot cocoa or cinnamon-spiked coffee—perfect for cozy winter nights. If you’re serving at a party, a simple platter of fresh fruit like orange slices or cranberries provides a tart contrast to the rich peanut butter and chocolate.

Creative Ways to Present

For a holiday gathering, I love arranging these cookies on a tiered stand with pine sprigs or holly berries for that extra festive vibe. Wrapping a few in clear cellophane with a bright ribbon makes a lovely homemade gift. Another idea? Line a wooden tray with parchment, scatter some peppermint candies around, and create an eye-catching cookie display.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature—this keeps them soft and fresh for up to a week. If your kitchen is warm, you can also pop them in the fridge, but I recommend letting them come back to room temp before enjoying for the best texture.

Freezing

Because this recipe makes a lot, freezing is a lifesaver. I freeze fully cooled cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer them to a freezer-safe container or bag. They keep wonderfully for up to 3 months. When you want a festive treat on hand, just pull a few out!

Reheating

To enjoy frozen cookies, I let them thaw at room temperature for about 30 minutes. If you want that freshly-baked feel, 10 seconds in the microwave adds a slight warmth that brings out peanut butter aroma perfectly, but don’t overdo it or the chocolate topping can get melty.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted in this recipe?

Absolutely! If you use salted butter, just skip the additional ½ teaspoon of kosher salt the recipe calls for to keep the balance just right.

Do these Peanut Butter Chocolate Christmas Cookies freeze well?

Yes, they freeze beautifully. Freeze the cooled cookies in an airtight container for up to 3 months. This is great for making ahead or portioning out gifts during the holidays.

Can I use melting wafers instead of chocolate chips for dipping?

Yes! Melting wafers work quite well and make melting faster and easier. Choose your favorite flavor and proceed with the same dip technique.

Can I roll the cookie dough balls in sugar before baking?

You can! Rolling the cookie dough balls in granulated sugar adds an extra sweet crunch. That said, I usually skip it because the chocolate dip and sprinkles bring enough sweetness already.

Final Thoughts

This Peanut Butter Chocolate Christmas Cookies Recipe is one I keep coming back to year after year, especially during the holidays when I want something cozy, fun, and a little nostalgic. I hope you give it a try and find as much joy making and sharing these as I do. Trust me, these cookies will quickly become a seasonal favorite in your family too. Happy baking!