Chocolate Chip, Peanut Butter Cup, and Pretzel Cookies (Sweet & Salty!)

Perfect chocolate chip cookies get jazzed up with crunchy pretzels, creamy mini peanut butter cups, and semi-sweet chocolate chips. These cookies are delicious, addictive, only use one bowl, and no chilling time is required. They’re crispy on the outside, gooey on the inside, and sure to be a hit with friends and family. What are you waiting for? Fall baking has never tasted so good!

Warning: Yes, these cookies taste as good as they look.

Hello From Abroad

Good morning from my farmstay in Phong Nha, Vietnam. It’s our last morning here before we jump on a train and continue our trek south. I’m currently sitting on a patio overlooking a massive rice paddy, drinking Vietnamese iced coffee, and typing up this post. It’s warm with a slight breeze, and light rain keeps rolling in and out. Sounds include the occasional motorbike rolling past, lots of birds chirping, random grunts from a water buffalo, and my friend the rooster. He usually gets his shenanigans started around 3:30 am (whyyyyyy??) but if I’m being honest, it’s endearing. It’s all part of life in the country, and right now, I’m savoring every moment. I took the picture below right when I sat down to write this post. The view is too perfect to not share.

View from my farmstay in Phong Nha, Vietnam

I’m completely falling in love with Vietnam. The people are friendly, the scenery is beautiful, and the food has blown me away. Before arriving here my only experience with Vietnamese food involved many bowls of pho, but I’ve discovered an entirely new world of food while on this trip. There are complex flavors, mountains of fresh herbs, and entrees that I can’t even categorize. Is this a salad, a soup, or a bowl of noodles? It’s sort of… all of the above. (I’m looking at you, bún bò nam bộ.)

What I’ve found to be quite interesting, is that many restaurants only serve one dish. They’ve perfected it over the years, and it is the only thing that they serve at that restaurant. It sure simplifies the process of choosing an entree!

About These Cookies

I don’t know what to tell you other than… these are super freaking good. The dough on its own is essentially cookie perfection. Lightly crispy on the outside, but still gooey on the inside. The generous brown sugar and vanilla gives these a delicious flavor, and I haven’t even gotten to the mix-ins yet!

Growing up, I always loved sweet and salty snack bars, so I used that as inspiration to create these cookies! Between the salty and crunchy pretzels, creamy mini peanut butter cups, and then slightly bitter semi sweet chocolate chips, this is the ultimate combination of delicious things! Almost sensory overload. Almost. (I like to live dangerously.)

Not sure where to find mini peanut butter cups? I got mine in the bulk bins at Sprouts, but you could definitely just chop up bigger peanut butter cups.

Another favorite part of these cookies? They can be made in one bowl and don’t require chilling time in the fridge. Woohoo!

Your friends are going to love you. Happy baking!

5 from 1 vote

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Chocolate Chip, Peanut Butter Cup, and Pretzel Cookies (Sweet & Salty!)

Perfect chocolate cookies get jazzed up with salty pretzels and creamy peanut butter cups. These cookies are phenomenal, use only one bowl, and require no chilling!

Servings 24 cookies

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 3/4 cup golden brown sugar, packed
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 eggs, room temp
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 cup mini peanut butter cups
• 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup chopped pretzel pieces

Toppings:

• more peanut butter cups and pretzel pieces to press into top of dough before baking
• flaky salt for topping after baking

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

2. In a mixer bowl, beat together butter and both sugars until light and fluffy. Add in vanilla and eggs, and beat until completely combined. Slowly add in flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt, scraping down sides and bottom of bowl as needed. Fold in peanut butter cups, chocolate chips, and pretzel pieces.

3. Scoop dough balls onto parchment lined baking sheet, and press more peanut butter cups and pretzel pieces into the top of the dough balls, if desired. Bake for 8-10 minutes. DO NOT OVER BAKE. They will not look done, but they'll continue to bake on the sheet once they come out of the oven. I find 9 minutes to be the perfect cooking time. Once removed from the oven, immediately sprinkle with flaky salt and enjoy!

Are you feeling all things fall? Be sure to check out my favorite pumpkin soup (simple & healthy!) or these amazing spiced apple muffins.

Last picture, I promise. I honestly just can’t help myself.