This week, I’m immersed in the world of Neuroscience at a conference in Boston, but I certainly haven’t forgotten about you, my wonderful readers! I’m thrilled to share two incredible guest posts while I’m away, starting with this truly scrumptious recipe from Beth over at bethcakes. I honestly can’t recall the exact moment I stumbled upon Beth’s beautifully curated blog, but what I do remember is the immediate sense of connection and the unwavering anticipation I’ve felt for every single one of her delightful recipes ever since. Her culinary creations are always a source of inspiration and pure joy. And just look at what she’s brought us today: Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie S’mores! My mouth is watering just thinking about them. Without further ado, let’s welcome Beth!
Hi everyone! I’m Beth, the baker behind the blog bethcakes, and I am absolutely bursting with excitement to be here today! It’s an incredible honor to have the opportunity to share a post with Zainab’s amazing community. I’ve been a devoted fan of A Classic Twist from the very first moment I discovered it. Zainab’s passion for baking and her ability to tell a story through her recipes truly resonated with me. This is actually my very first guest blog post on someone else’s platform, so you can imagine the double dose of excitement I’m feeling right now!
Down here in the South, where I call home, we’re already starting to feel the unmistakable warmth and longer days that herald the arrival of summer. As the temperatures rise, my mind invariably drifts to my favorite summertime activities and, of course, the quintessential summer treat: s’mores. There’s something inherently magical about them – the crackle of a campfire, the gooey, toasted marshmallow, the melting chocolate, and those crisp graham crackers. They evoke cherished memories of backyard gatherings, starry nights, and yes, sticky hands that are absolutely worth every bit of the mess! However, as you can probably tell from the name, these aren’t your typical, run-of-the-mill s’mores. Oh no, we’re taking things to a whole new, utterly decadent level! Allow me to give you the delicious rundown on this elevated classic.
Truth be told, I don’t venture into cookie-making territory as often as I probably should. But when a brilliant idea sparks in my mind, like these Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie S’mores, I simply *have* to bring it to life! These aren’t just any chocolate chip cookies; they are an extraordinary symphony of flavors. We’re talking double chocolate and double peanut butter, friends. Oh, yes! The deep, rich cocoa powder in the batter lays the perfect foundation, studded generously with melty chocolate chips. And for the peanut butter lovers out there, we’ve got creamy peanut butter mixed into the dough itself, alongside delightful Reese’s peanut butter morsels. This combination, in my humble opinion, is simply irresistible and one I can never get enough of!
But the real secret ingredient, the one that elevates these cookies from great to absolutely phenomenal, is browned butter. Before adding it to the cookie dough, I took the extra step of browning the butter, and I cannot emphasize enough what an incredible decision that was! The nutty, toasty aroma that fills my kitchen as the butter browns is pure bliss, a promise of the deep, complex flavors to come. This simple step adds another incredible layer of depth and richness to these cookies, creating a truly unique taste profile that sets them apart. After achieving that perfect golden hue, I briefly considered letting the browned butter cool back to a solid state, as some recipes suggest. However, my excitement and impatience got the better of me, and I added it while it was still wonderfully warm and melted. For once, my impatience proved to be a stroke of genius, contributing to the cookies’ amazing texture and flavor!
Let’s be honest, cookie dough is already dangerously addictive on its own, isn’t it? It’s a universal truth for bakers and snackers alike. But with all the extra goodness packed into this particular dough—the browned butter, the double chocolate, the double peanut butter—it became an almost impossible feat to resist sneaking little spoonfuls here and there. The rich, sweet, and nutty flavors were simply too enticing. That’s actually why you might notice that there aren’t a massive number of cookies captured in the photos. I, um, may have indulged a little too much in the raw dough. And even after they were baked, these cookies were so incredibly delicious on their own that a good portion of them made their way to a small family get-together, where they were devoured with much enthusiasm before they could even consider becoming s’mores!
While the temptation to simply eat these incredible cookies on their own is perfectly understandable – they are indeed fantastic solo – I genuinely and wholeheartedly encourage you to exercise a little patience and take them to the next level by transforming them into these spectacular cookie sandwiches. Because, as if the combination of rich chocolate, creamy peanut butter, and the deep, nutty notes of browned butter wasn’t enough to make your taste buds sing, we’re taking it even further! The magic truly happens in the assembly. You’ll spread a generous layer of additional creamy peanut butter on one half of the baked cookies. The other half gets crowned with a fluffy marshmallow and sent back into the oven under the broiler. Watch them carefully, because in just moments, those marshmallows will toast to a beautiful, golden-brown perfection, becoming wonderfully gooey and lightly caramelized. Once toasted, these marshmallow-topped cookies are then sandwiched together with their peanut butter-laden counterparts, creating an explosion of texture and flavor. At this point, you might try to resist, to tell yourself you’ll just have one. But then you’ll realize it’s a futile effort, and you’ll happily surrender to the irresistible allure of these ultimate s’mores cookies. And that’s perfectly okay; it happens to the best of us!
Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie S’mores: The Ultimate Summer Treat
Get ready for a sensational twist on a classic! These Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie S’mores combine rich, browned butter cookies with gooey toasted marshmallows and creamy peanut butter for an unforgettable dessert experience. It’s the perfect way to elevate your summer gatherings!
20 minutes
10 minutes
30 minutes
Ingredients for Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
- 1 cup unsalted butter, cut into cubes
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp fine sea salt
- ½ tsp cornstarch
- ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ¼ cup creamy peanut butter, plus extra for spreading
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup peanut butter chips or morsels
- Large marshmallows, for topping
Step-by-Step Instructions to Make Your S’mores Cookies
- **Brown the Butter:** In a small, light-colored saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until it begins to foam, then turns a beautiful golden-brown color and smells nutty. This usually takes about 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat immediately and set aside to cool slightly.
- **Prepare for Baking:** Line two baking sheets with parchment paper for easy cleanup. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
- **Combine Dry Ingredients:** In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, cornstarch, and cocoa powder until thoroughly combined.
- **Cream Wet Ingredients:** In a large bowl, or the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, add the creamy peanut butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla extract. Mix on medium speed until the mixture is light and creamy, about 2 minutes. Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition until fully incorporated.
- **Alternate Additions:** Gradually add half of the dry flour mixture and half of the slightly cooled browned butter to the wet ingredients. Mix on low speed until just combined. Repeat with the remaining half of the flour mixture and browned butter, mixing until a cohesive dough forms. Be careful not to overmix.
- **Fold in Chips:** Gently fold in the chocolate chips and peanut butter morsels using a spatula until evenly distributed throughout the dough.
- **Shape and Bake Cookies:** Roll the cookie dough into 1½ inch balls and place them on the prepared baking sheets, ensuring they are about two inches apart. Gently flatten each cookie dough ball with the palm of your hand or the bottom of a glass cup. (Note: These cookies are designed not to spread excessively during baking, so flattening them slightly helps achieve a perfect s’mores base.)
- **Bake Cookies:** Bake for 10 minutes, or until the edges are set and the centers still look slightly soft. Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- **Assemble the S’mores:** Once the cookies are cooled, spread creamy peanut butter on half of them. Place the remaining half of the cookies (without peanut butter) back on a baking sheet. Turn on your oven’s broiler to low. Place one large marshmallow on top of each cookie on the baking sheet. Carefully place the pan under the broiler for 30-45 seconds. **Do not leave your oven; watch them continuously!** The marshmallows can go from perfectly golden to burnt very quickly. Once the marshmallows are beautifully golden brown and gooey on top, remove the pan from the oven immediately.
- **Create the Sandwiches:** Take the cookies with the peanut butter spread and gently place them on top of the marshmallow-topped cookies, pressing lightly to form a sandwich.
- **Enjoy Your Masterpiece:** Now for the best part – eat lots of cookies! These are best enjoyed warm, but they are still delightful at room temperature.
Making this Recipe?
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A massive thank you to Beth for sharing this absolutely incredible recipe with us! See? I told you her recipes are nothing short of amazing. These Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie S’mores are definitely going to be a staple in my kitchen this summer, and I can already envision them being the star of countless backyard bonfires and gatherings. Just imagine the pure joy and upgraded experience these cookie sandwiches will bring to any campfire or outdoor celebration. They take the beloved classic s’mores to an entirely new realm of indulgence!
Beth’s innovative spirit and knack for combining classic flavors in exciting new ways shine through in every bite of these cookies. The browned butter adds such a sophisticated depth, and the double dose of chocolate and peanut butter is simply genius. These are more than just cookies; they’re an experience, a delightful twist that will have everyone asking for the recipe.
I encourage all of you to dive into the world of bethcakes for more of her fantastic creations. You can also connect with Beth and stay updated on her latest baking adventures by following her on Twitter, liking her page on Facebook, and exploring her beautiful boards on Pinterest. Trust me, your sweet tooth will thank you! Happy baking, everyone, and get ready to enjoy the most extraordinary s’mores you’ve ever tasted this summer!