If you have a sweet tooth and a love for cookies that pack a punch of flavor and texture, you are going to adore this Peanut Butter Oreo Cookies Recipe. Imagine the creamy, salty goodness of peanut butter mingling with the crunch and chocolatey kick of Oreos baked into a soft, chewy cookie that melts in your mouth. This recipe brings together two beloved classics into one irresistible treat that’s perfect for sharing or sneaking a few bites on your own. Whether you’re an experienced baker or just looking for a fun recipe to try, these cookies deliver big on flavor and happiness with every bite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering the right ingredients sets the foundation for these incredible cookies. Each component plays an essential role in creating the perfect balance of taste, texture, and richness. This Peanut Butter Oreo Cookies Recipe relies on simple but carefully chosen ingredients that come together beautifully.
- Brown sugar: Adds moisture and a deep, caramel-like sweetness that enhances the cookie’s chewiness.
- White sugar: Gives a slight crispness and balances the richness of the brown sugar.
- Unsalted butter: Provides creamy richness and helps the cookies spread just right.
- Crisco shortening: Adds a tender crumb and keeps the cookies soft longer.
- Creamy peanut butter: The star ingredient, lending that nutty, smooth flavor that fans will love.
- Salt: Enhances all the other flavors and cuts through sweetness.
- Large eggs: Bind the ingredients and add structure without weighing down the cookies.
- Vanilla extract: Adds warmth and depth, tying all flavors together.
- Baking soda: For that perfect rise and soft texture.
- All purpose flour: The base that forms the cookie’s body and texture.
- Oreo cookies (crushed): Brings chocolate crunch and iconic flavor throughout.
How to Make Peanut Butter Oreo Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
First, preheat your oven to 350ºF to get it ready for baking. This helps ensure your cookies bake evenly once the dough is ready. Meanwhile, line your baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup a breeze.
Step 2: Cream the Sugars, Butter, and Peanut Butter
In a large bowl, cream together the brown sugar, white sugar, butter, shortening, and creamy peanut butter until smooth and well combined. This step is crucial because it creates a light, fluffy base that makes your cookies tender and rich. Once creamy, add the eggs and vanilla extract and mix well to incorporate.
Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients and Add Oreos
Sift together the salt, baking soda, and flour in a separate bowl. Slowly add these dry ingredients to the wet mixture, blending gradually until the dough forms without overmixing. The key is to maintain a soft dough. Stir in the crushed Oreo cookies gently, distributing the chocolatey bits evenly for that delightful cookie crunch in every bite.
Step 4: Shape and Sugar Coat
Use a medium cookie scoop to portion out the dough into balls. Roll each one in sugar for a sparkling, sweet coating that adds a little extra crunch and visual appeal. Place the coated dough balls on your prepared baking sheets, letting enough space between them but resist the urge to flatten them with a fork—these cookies bake best when they puff up naturally.
Step 5: Bake to Perfection
Pop your cookie sheets into the oven and bake for 11 to 13 minutes. The cookies should be golden at the edges but still soft in the center. Once baked, allow them to cool slightly on the tray before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely — this keeps the cookies chewy inside while setting their shape.
How to Serve Peanut Butter Oreo Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
For an extra touch of fun, sprinkle a few crushed Oreos on top right after baking or drizzle melted chocolate across the cookies. You can also dust them lightly with powdered sugar for a hint of sweetness that’s as pretty as it is tasty.
Side Dishes
These peanut butter Oreo cookies pair wonderfully with a cold glass of milk, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or a rich hot chocolate. The creamy drinks contrast beautifully with the cookies’ chewy texture and chocolatey peanuts flavor.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve these cookies stacked on a rustic wooden board for a casual feel or package them in decorative tins as gifts. You can also sandwich two cookies with a layer of peanut butter frosting or cream cheese icing for a decadent twist that turns this Peanut Butter Oreo Cookies Recipe into an indulgent cookie sandwich.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your cookies fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay soft and delicious for up to five days, making them great to bake in advance for parties or snack times throughout the week.
Freezing
If you want to make a big batch and save some for later, these cookies freeze beautifully. Place cooled cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. They will keep their flavor and texture for up to three months.
Reheating
To enjoy cookies as if they were freshly baked, warm them in the microwave for about 10 seconds or in a low-temperature oven for a few minutes. This revives the soft, gooey texture and brings out the luscious peanut butter aroma.
FAQs
Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy?
Absolutely! Using crunchy peanut butter will add an extra layer of texture and peanutty crunch inside your cookies, which some people really enjoy. Just keep in mind the texture will be slightly different but still delicious.
Are there any substitutions for the Crisco shortening?
You can replace Crisco shortening with an equal amount of softened butter if you prefer. Shortening helps keep the cookies tender and soft, but butter adds a richer flavor. You might notice your cookies spreading a bit more with butter.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes! Simply swap the all purpose flour for a gluten-free flour blend that measures cup for cup. The cookies will keep their delicious peanut butter and Oreo flavors but be sure to check your Oreos are gluten-free as well.
How can I make the cookies more chocolatey?
For a more intense chocolate experience, add mini chocolate chips or drizzle melted chocolate over the cooled cookies. This enhances the Oreo flavor and satisfies serious chocolate lovers.
What’s the best way to crush Oreos for this recipe?
Place the Oreos in a zip-top bag and gently crush them with a rolling pin until you have a mix of fine crumbs and small chunks. This gives delightful texture variation in each cookie without overpowering the dough with too much crumble.
Final Thoughts
This Peanut Butter Oreo Cookies Recipe is one that honestly makes me smile every time I bake it. The way the peanut butter creaminess mixes with those crunchy Oreo pieces is pure magic in cookie form. If you’re looking for a sweet project that results in perfect cookies to share, snack on, or gift, I wholeheartedly encourage you to try it out. Get ready for compliments and requests for the recipe—these cookies are just that good!
Print
Peanut Butter Oreo Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 13 minutes
- Total Time: 26 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings (about 16-20 cookies depending on size)
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Deliciously rich and chewy Peanut Butter Oreo Cookies combining the classic flavors of creamy peanut butter and crushed Oreo cookies. These cookies are perfect for peanut butter lovers who want a fun twist with the crunch and chocolatey taste of Oreos baked into every bite.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup brown sugar (firmly packed)
- 1 cup white sugar
- ½ cup unsalted butter (softened)
- ½ cup Crisco shortening
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- ½ tsp salt
- 2 tsp baking soda
- 2 cups all purpose flour
Additional
- 20 Oreo cookies (crushed with a rolling pin)
- Sugar (for rolling cookie dough balls)
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 350ºF to ensure even baking temperature for the cookies.
- Cream ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the brown sugar, white sugar, softened butter, shortening, and peanut butter until smooth and well combined. Then, add the eggs and vanilla extract, continuing to mix thoroughly.
- Mix dry ingredients: Sift together the salt, baking soda, and all purpose flour. Gradually add the dry mixture into the wet ingredients, mixing until fully incorporated.
- Add crushed Oreos: Fold in the crushed Oreo cookies gently, distributing them evenly throughout the dough.
- Form and sugar coat balls: Using a medium cookie scoop, portion out the cookie dough into balls. Roll each ball generously in sugar to create a nice coating.
- Arrange and bake: Place the sugar-coated cookie dough balls on parchment-lined cookie sheets, spacing them adequately without pressing down or flattening with a fork.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven at 350ºF for 11-13 minutes until the edges are set and the cookies are slightly golden. Remove from oven and allow to cool slightly before transferring to a wire rack.
Notes
- Make sure the butter and shortening are softened to room temperature for easier creaming with sugars.
- Do not overbake to keep cookies chewy; remove once edges are set but centers remain soft.
- Crushing Oreos with a rolling pin can create a nice mix of cookie chunks for texture.
- Rolling the dough balls in sugar prior to baking adds a lovely crunch and sparkle on top.
- Use parchment paper to prevent sticking and for easy cleanup.
