If you’re looking for a deliciously indulgent treat that’s both rich and satisfying, this Flourless Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe is a must-try. These cookies beautifully combine the deep, intense flavor of unsweetened cocoa with the creamy, irresistible essence of peanut butter, all without a single grain of flour. The result is a chewy, glossy, and slightly decadent cookie that melts in your mouth and will have you reaching for seconds, whether you’re gluten-free, avoiding flour, or simply in love with luscious chocolate and peanut butter combos.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering simple yet impactful ingredients is the secret to nailing this cookie recipe. Each component plays a vital role—from lending structure to adding flavor and achieving the perfect texture.
- Powdered sugar: Provides sweetness while contributing to the cookie’s delicate, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Unsweetened cocoa powder: Delivers rich chocolate flavor without added sweetness, balancing the peanut butter beautifully.
- Egg whites: Add lightness and help bind the ingredients together, giving the cookies their chewy texture.
- Creamy peanut butter: Infuses the dough with nutty creaminess and a touch of natural fat to keep cookies tender.
- Salt: Enhances all the flavors and helps cut through the richness, making each bite pop.
- Vanilla extract: Adds warmth and subtle sweetness, deepening the overall flavor profile.
- Dark chocolate chunks (optional): Introduces bursts of melted chocolate in every bite, perfect for chocolate lovers who want an extra indulgence.
How to Make Flourless Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prep
Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. This ensures your oven is hot enough to bake the cookies evenly so they develop that signature crackled, shiny top without drying out.
Step 2: Combine the Base Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, add the powdered sugar, cocoa powder, peanut butter, salt, vanilla extract, and 3 egg whites. These are the building blocks of your cookie dough, and blending them well is key.
Step 3: Beat Until Glossy
Using a stand mixer or hand beaters, mix the ingredients for 1 to 3 minutes. The batter should transform into a thick, glossy, brownie-like texture. If it feels too dense, add a fourth egg white a little at a time. This step is crucial to achieve the perfect cookie consistency.
Step 4: Fold in Chocolate Chunks
Gently stir in the dark chocolate chunks, distributing them evenly throughout the dough. This optional addition upgrades these cookies with delightful pockets of melted chocolate.
Step 5: Scoop the Dough
Using a 2-inch cookie scoop or spoon, drop the dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Because these cookies spread quite a bit, keep only six on each pan to prevent them from merging as they bake.
Step 6: Bake to Perfection
Bake the cookies for 11 to 13 minutes. You’re aiming for shiny, cracked tops that indicate chewy interiors. Keep an eye on them to avoid overbaking.
Step 7: Cool and Enjoy
Allow cookies to cool on the sheet for 5 to 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This resting period helps them set perfectly without falling apart, ready for you to savor.
How to Serve Flourless Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
For an extra touch of elegance and flavor, sprinkle a pinch of flaky sea salt on top right after baking. You can also dust with a little powdered sugar or drizzle some melted peanut butter for a fancy finish that still feels homey.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair wonderfully with a cold glass of milk, a warm cup of coffee, or even a creamy scoop of vanilla ice cream. The coolness contrasts beautifully with the rich, chewy cookie texture, elevating the experience.
Creative Ways to Present
Impress your guests by stacking these cookies with layers of peanut butter frosting or sandwiching them with a scoop of ice cream for a quick, irresistible dessert. Plating with fresh berries or a small bowl of chocolate sauce for dipping adds a gourmet touch that doesn’t feel complicated.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, store your Flourless Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay fresh and chewy for up to 4 days, making them perfect for curbing sweet cravings throughout the week.
Freezing
Want to keep these delightful treats for longer? Freeze the baked cookies in a sealed container or freezer bag. When properly wrapped, they maintain their flavor and texture for up to 3 months, ready whenever you need a quick pick-me-up.
Reheating
To revive your cookies’ fresh-baked warmth, pop them in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds or heat briefly in a low oven. This brings back that gooey, soft center that makes these cookies so addictive.
FAQs
Can I substitute the peanut butter?
Absolutely! While peanut butter adds that classic creamy, nutty flavor, you can also try almond butter or sunflower seed butter for a twist. Just keep the consistency similar to maintain the texture of the dough.
Are these cookies gluten-free?
Yes, this Flourless Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe is naturally gluten-free because it uses no flour. Just be sure your cocoa powder and other ingredients are certified gluten-free if you’re sensitive.
What if I don’t have a mixer?
You can hand whisk, but it will take more effort to achieve the glossy, thick batter. A hand mixer or stand mixer makes the process quicker and more consistent.
Can I use crunchy peanut butter?
Definitely! Crunchy peanut butter will add a fun textural contrast to these chewy cookies, making every bite even more interesting and nutty.
What’s the best way to prevent spreading?
Limiting the number of cookies per pan to six and chilling the dough briefly before baking can help minimize spreading. Also, ensure your oven is properly preheated to 350°F for the best results.
Final Thoughts
There is just something so magical about the way these flourless chocolate peanut butter cookies balance rich cocoa and creamy peanut butter into a chewy, decadent bite. Whether it’s a quick afternoon snack, a gluten-free dessert option, or a show-stopper for your next gathering, I promise once you try this Flourless Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe, it’ll become a beloved favorite in your baking rotation. So grab your ingredients and get ready to bake up some happiness—you deserve these cookies in your life!
Print
Flourless Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 11 minutes
- Total Time: 21 minutes
- Yield: 12 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
These Flourless Cookies are rich, fudgy, and chocolate-packed treats made without any flour. Perfect for those avoiding gluten, they feature a luscious blend of powdered sugar, cocoa powder, peanut butter, and egg whites, with optional chocolate chunks to add extra indulgence. The cookies have a brownie-like texture with shiny cracked tops and are quick to prepare and bake.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ½ tsp salt
Wet Ingredients
- 3–4 large egg whites
- ¼ cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Add-ins
- 1 ½ cups dark chocolate chunks (optional; can substitute milk chocolate or semi-sweet)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure it’s ready for baking the cookies.
- Combine Ingredients: In a mixing bowl, add the powdered sugar, cocoa powder, salt, egg whites (starting with 3), peanut butter, and vanilla extract, leaving out the chocolate chunks for now.
- Beat Mixture: Using a stand mixer or hand beaters, beat the ingredients until the mixture is thick, glossy, and resembles a brownie batter, about 1-3 minutes. If the mixture is too thick, add the 4th egg white to achieve the right consistency.
- Add Chocolate Chunks: Fold in the chocolate chunks evenly into the batter until combined.
- Scoop Dough: Using a 2-inch cookie scoop or spoon, place scoops of cookie dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing them well as the cookies will spread.
- Limit Cookies Per Pan: Due to spreading, place no more than 6 cookies per baking sheet to give them ample space.
- Bake Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 11-13 minutes, or until the tops have shiny, cracked appearances.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool completely on the pan for 5-10 minutes before transferring. Enjoy your fudgy, flourless cookies!
Notes
- Adjust egg whites from 3 to 4 depending on the thickness of the batter.
- Optional chocolate chunks add extra texture and richness but can be omitted or substituted with your preferred type of chocolate.
- Use parchment paper to prevent sticking and help with easy cleanup.
- Do not overcrowd the baking sheet to prevent cookies from merging while baking.
- Allow cookies to cool fully as they firm up and are easier to handle once cooled.
