Chocolate Peanut Butter Lava Cookies: Gooey Surprise Recipe
These Chocolate Peanut Butter Lava Cookies deliver a decadent treat with a gooey peanut butter and chocolate lava center surrounded by a rich, cocoa-infused cookie. Perfectly baked to have crisp edges and soft, molten centers, these cookies combine the irresistible flavors of chocolate and peanut butter in every bite.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 12 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
For the Cookie Dough
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
For the Lava Filling
- 1/2 cup semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips or chopped
- 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
Optional Garnish
- Powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons chopped peanuts
Instructions
- Prep: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prepare for baking. Mix the semi-sweet chocolate and peanut butter together until smooth to create the lava filling, then set this mixture aside.
- Make the Cookie Dough: In a bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. In a separate large bowl, beat the softened butter with granulated sugar and brown sugar until the mixture is fluffy and light. Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing well. Incorporate the peanut butter until evenly combined. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring just until combined to form the cookie dough.
- Assemble the Lava Cookies: Scoop the dough into balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet. Press a small indentation in each dough ball using your finger or a spoon. Spoon approximately 1/2 teaspoon of the chocolate-peanut butter lava filling into each indentation. Cover the filling by enclosing it with a little more dough, sealing it fully to encase the lava filling. Gently flatten the tops of each cookie ball to form even cookies.
- Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges are set and the centers remain soft and gooey. After baking, allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to set the structure before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Garnish: Once cooled slightly, dust the cookies with powdered sugar and sprinkle with chopped peanuts if desired for added texture and flavor. Serve the cookies warm for the optimal molten lava center experience.
Notes
- Use creamy peanut butter for a smooth lava texture; chunky peanut butter may not melt as evenly.
- The gooey center is best enjoyed when the cookies are slightly warm; reheat briefly if served later.
- Be careful not to overbake; cookies should have set edges but soft centers to retain the molten lava effect.
- You can freeze assembled dough balls prior to baking for up to one month; bake from frozen adding an extra 2-3 minutes to baking time.
- For a nut-free version, substitute peanut butter with sunflower seed butter and ensure chocolate is nut-free.
Keywords: chocolate peanut butter lava cookies, gooey peanut butter cookies, molten center cookies, chocolate peanut butter dessert, baked lava cookies
