Ultimate Copycat Crumbl Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies with Rich Chocolate Frosting

Prepare to fall in love with these incredible Crumbl Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies, a delightful and elevated twist on the beloved classic Peanut Butter Blossoms Cookie. Imagine a generously thick, perfectly chewy peanut butter cookie, crowned with a decadent swirl of rich, smooth chocolate fudge frosting. This recipe isn’t just a cookie; it’s an experience that brings the famous Crumbl bakery taste right into your kitchen!

For any true dessert enthusiast, the combination of peanut butter and chocolate is simply irresistible. As a dedicated fan of crafting copycat Crumbl recipes, I can confidently say this version captures the magic perfectly. You might also adore other peanut butter and chocolate creations like the Crumbl Peanut Butter Brownie Cookies, which feature a luscious peanut butter cookie base topped with both chocolate and peanut butter swirls, or the delightful Crumbl Muddy Buddy Cookies, another favorite built on a dreamy peanut butter cookie foundation.

Why You’ll Love This Crumbl Peanut Butter Blossom Cookie Recipe

This copycat Crumbl Peanut Butter Blossom Cookie recipe is more than just a dessert; it’s a testament to perfect texture, incredible flavor, and a satisfying baking experience. Here’s why this recipe stands out and why you’ll want to make it again and again:

• Unbelievably Chewy Peanut Butter Cookies: The foundation of these cookies is a peanut butter base that is simply divine. It’s incredibly moist, rich with peanut butter flavor, and boasts a wonderfully chewy texture that your teeth will effortlessly sink into. We’re talking about that perfect balance of softness and chewiness that makes a cookie truly irresistible. This isn’t a dry or crumbly cookie; it’s thick, tender, and deeply satisfying.
• Beautifully Crackly Tops: One of the signature characteristics of these Crumbl-inspired cookies is their distinctive crackly surface. This isn’t just for looks; the granulated sugar coating applied before baking creates a delicate, sweet crunch on the exterior. This delightful textural contrast perfectly complements the soft, melt-in-your-mouth interior of the cookie, adding another layer of sensory pleasure to every bite.
• Velvety Smooth and Rich Chocolate Frosting: Crumbl put a brilliant spin on the traditional peanut butter blossom by replacing the classic chocolate kiss with a luxurious swirl of chocolate frosting. Our homemade version takes it a step further. By using high-quality Dutch process cocoa powder, we achieve an intensely rich chocolate flavor and a deep, inviting chocolate color that is simply stunning. The frosting itself is whipped to a silky-smooth consistency, providing a creamy, decadent topping that harmonizes beautifully with the robust peanut butter cookie.
• A Perfect Flavor Pairing: Peanut butter and chocolate are a match made in heaven, and this recipe highlights their synergy perfectly. The salty-sweet notes of the peanut butter cookie are expertly balanced by the deep, slightly bitter richness of the chocolate fudge frosting, creating a harmonious flavor profile that will delight your taste buds.
• Impressive & Easy to Make: Despite their gourmet appearance and incredible taste, these cookies are surprisingly straightforward to prepare. The step-by-step instructions ensure that even novice bakers can achieve stunning, bakery-quality results.

Essential Ingredient Notes for Perfect Cookies

Achieving the perfect Crumbl Peanut Butter Blossom Cookie relies on understanding the role of each ingredient. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need and important tips for the best results:

• Unsalted Butter: For the cookies, ensure your butter is softened to true room temperature. This is crucial for proper creaming with the sugars and peanut butter, leading to a light, airy dough and a tender, chewy cookie. For the chocolate frosting, the butter should be cool but not rock-hard from the fridge, nor completely softened. This helps achieve a stable, fluffy frosting.
• Creamy Peanut Butter: To get that signature smooth and melt-in-your-mouth texture in these peanut butter cookies, creamy peanut butter is preferred. However, if you enjoy a little extra crunch and nutty bite, crunchy peanut butter can absolutely be substituted. Just be sure to avoid natural peanut butters (the kind that separate oil) as their inconsistent texture can negatively affect the cookie dough’s consistency and how it bakes.
• Vanilla Extract: Don’t underestimate the power of vanilla! It’s not just a flavoring; it’s a vital flavor enhancer and balancer, much like salt in savory dishes. It deepens the sweetness and brings out the nuances of both the peanut butter and chocolate.
• All Purpose Flour: The precise ratio of flour to fats (butter and peanut butter) in this recipe is meticulously balanced to guarantee the cookies are perfectly chewy and moist, never dry or crumbly. Measuring your flour correctly, ideally by weight or using the spoon-and-level method, is key.
• Granulated Sugar: This recipe utilizes granulated sugar in two crucial ways. First, it sweetens the cookie dough, contributing to its overall texture and structure. Second, a small amount is reserved for rolling the cookie dough balls before baking. This sugar coating is what creates those beautiful, signature crackly tops and adds a delightful, subtly crunchy exterior.
• Powdered Sugar: For the smoothest, most luxurious chocolate fudge frosting, sifted powdered sugar is a must. Sifting removes any lumps, ensuring your frosting is silky and easy to pipe.
• Dutch Process Cocoa Powder: This is the secret to the frosting’s deep, rich chocolate flavor and dark, appealing color. Dutch process cocoa has been treated to reduce its acidity, resulting in a milder, less bitter, and more profound chocolate taste compared to natural cocoa. Using it will make your frosting truly stand out. Learn more about its benefits in my dedicated Best Cocoa Powder for Baking post.
• Baking Soda and Salt: These leavening agents and flavor enhancers are critical for the cookie’s rise and overall taste. Baking soda reacts with the acidic components in the dough (like brown sugar) to create lift and tenderness, while salt balances the sweetness and brings out the nutty flavor of the peanut butter.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Crumbl Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies

Follow these detailed steps to create perfectly chewy and frosted Crumbl Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies at home:

1. Prepare Your Workspace and Preheat Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. This prevents sticking and ensures even baking.
2. Craft the Peanut Butter Cookie Dough: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment (or using a hand mixer), combine the softened unsalted butter, creamy peanut butter, light brown sugar, and 1/4 cup granulated sugar. Cream these ingredients together on medium speed for about 2 minutes until the mixture is light, fluffy, and well combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed. Next, add the large egg and vanilla extract, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix at this stage. Finally, add the all-purpose flour, salt, and baking soda. Mix on low speed until the dry ingredients are just incorporated into the wet, and no streaks of flour remain. The dough will be thick.

2. Prepare the Rich Chocolate Fudge Frosting: In a separate bowl, cream the cool (but not cold) butter until smooth. Gradually add the sifted powdered sugar, Dutch process cocoa powder, and milk (or heavy cream). Beat on medium speed until the frosting is light, fluffy, and perfectly smooth. Once ready, transfer the frosting to a piping bag fitted with your favorite star tip for that classic Crumbl swirl.

3. Portion, Roll, and Flatten the Dough: Take the prepared peanut butter cookie dough and scoop it into 1/4 cup-sized portions. For consistent cookie size and even baking, a cookie scoop is highly recommended. Roll each dough portion into a smooth ball. In a separate shallow bowl, place the remaining 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar. Roll each cookie dough ball thoroughly in the sugar until completely coated. Place 6 sugar-coated dough balls onto your prepared baking sheet, ensuring they are spaced apart. Gently press down on each dough ball with the palm of your hand or the bottom of a glass to form them into thick, uniform disks. This helps them bake evenly and develop those desirable crackly tops.
4. Bake the Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 11-13 minutes. The key is to remove them when the edges are set and lightly golden, the centers no longer look wet or shiny, but still appear slightly soft and crackly. They will continue to set and firm up as they cool on the baking sheet, so avoid overbaking. Overbaked cookies will be dry and crumbly. Once out of the oven, let them cool on the baking sheet for at least 5 minutes before carefully transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
5. Top with Chocolate Frosting: Once the cookies have cooled completely, it’s time for the crowning glory! Using the piping bag filled with chocolate fudge frosting, pipe a beautiful swirl into the center of each cookie. Aim for a generous swirl, similar to how classic peanut butter blossom cookies traditionally feature a Hershey’s Kiss. Enjoy these delightful, homemade Crumbl-inspired treats!

Pro Tips for Perfect Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies

Even seasoned bakers can benefit from a few extra pointers to ensure these cookies turn out absolutely perfect:

• Steer Clear of Natural Peanut Butters: While natural peanut butters (the kind that require stirring) are great for sandwiches, they are not ideal for baking these cookies. The natural oils tend to separate, leading to an inconsistent dough texture which can significantly affect how the cookies spread and bake. Stick to processed, creamy peanut butters for the best results in terms of texture and stability.
• The Golden Rule: Do Not Overbake: This is perhaps the most crucial tip for soft, chewy cookies. You want to remove the cookies from the oven when their edges are just set and slightly golden, but their centers still look a little soft and crackly, even slightly underdone. The residual heat from the baking sheet will continue to cook the cookies as they cool, known as “carryover baking.” This method guarantees a moist, tender interior and prevents them from becoming dry and hard.
• Achieve Perfectly Round Cookies: For that bakery-perfect appearance, try this trick: immediately after pulling the hot cookies out of the oven, take a biscuit cutter or a large glass (slightly larger than your cookies). Place it over each cookie and gently move it in a circular motion, shaping the warm cookie into a perfect circle. Do this while the cookies are still hot and pliable, before they set. This neat trick helps create consistently beautiful cookies.
• Dutch Process Cocoa Powder is Key for Frosting: As mentioned in the ingredient notes, using Dutch process cocoa powder for your chocolate frosting is non-negotiable if you want that deep, dark color and rich, intense chocolate flavor. Regular unsweetened cocoa powder won’t yield the same vibrant hue or profound taste. Invest in Dutch process for a truly superior frosting.
• Room Temperature Ingredients Matter: Ensure your butter and egg for the cookie dough are at proper room temperature. This allows them to cream together effectively, creating a smooth, emulsified mixture that traps air, contributing to the cookie’s tender texture. Cold ingredients will result in a denser, tougher cookie.

If you’re as obsessed with the chocolate and peanut butter combination as I am, you might also enjoy my Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies recipe, which marries these two favorite flavors in a different, equally delicious way!

Make Ahead, Storing, and Freezing Options

These Crumbl Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies are fantastic fresh, but they also offer great flexibility for making ahead and storing. Here’s how to keep them delicious:

• Make Ahead Cookie Dough: You can prepare the peanut butter cookie dough in advance! Simply mix the dough as instructed, then wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Before baking, remove the dough from the fridge and let it come to room temperature for about 30 minutes to an hour, making it easier to portion and roll.
• Storing Unfrosted Cookies: If you’re not frosting all the cookies right away, store the unfrosted baked cookies in an airtight container or a heavy-duty ziplock bag at room temperature for 2-3 days. For a slightly longer shelf life, you can refrigerate them for 4-5 days. Ensure they are completely cool before storing to prevent condensation.
• Storing Frosted Cookies: Due to the heavy cream or milk content in the chocolate fudge frosting, frosted cookies must be refrigerated. Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. It’s best to allow them to come to room temperature for about 15-20 minutes before serving for optimal flavor and texture.
• Storing Leftover Frosting: Any extra chocolate fudge frosting can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 7 days. For longer storage, freeze the frosting for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and then re-whip briefly before using to restore its fluffy texture.
• Freezing Baked Cookies: These cookies freeze beautifully! To freeze unfrosted cookies, arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet and flash freeze until solid (about 1-2 hours). Then transfer them to an airtight freezer-safe container or bag, separating layers with parchment paper. They will keep for up to 2-3 months. Thaw at room temperature and then pipe the frosting just before serving.

For more in-depth tips and tricks on preserving your baked goods, be sure to check out my comprehensive posts on Freezing Cookie Dough and Freezing Cookies!

Common Questions About Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions to help you master this delicious recipe:

More Irresistible Chocolate Peanut Butter Recipes

Can’t get enough of that classic chocolate and peanut butter combination? Here are some more delectable recipes you’re sure to love:

• Crumbl Peanut Butter Cup Cookies
• Chocolate Peanut Butter Chip Cookies
• Peanut Butter Bliss Balls
• Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Balls
• No Bake Peanut Butter Pie