Ultimate Peanut Butter Pretzel Chocolate Chip Cookies: Your Go-To Sweet & Salty Holiday Treat

Dive into a world of incredible flavor and texture with these Peanut Butter Pretzel Chocolate Chip Cookies. Made with a rich base of creamy peanut butter and hearty oats, these cookies are generously loaded with crunchy pretzels, colorful M&Ms, and decadent chocolate chips. Whether you’re celebrating the festive holiday season or simply craving a delightful homemade treat, these cookies are perfect for any time of the year, offering a harmonious blend of sweet, salty, and satisfying chewy goodness.

There’s something truly magical about the holiday season, and for many of us, that magic often comes in the form of freshly baked cookies. If you’re anything like me, holiday baking isn’t just a tradition; it’s a passion. From classic sugar cookies to spiced gingerbread, every recipe brings joy. This year, allow me to introduce you to a cookie that perfectly embodies everything wonderful about festive treats: these incredible Peanut Butter Pretzel Chocolate Chip Cookies.

Cookie exchanges are a highlight of my holiday season. They offer the perfect excuse to fill tins with an exciting assortment of cookies, allowing friends and family to sample new favorites and rediscover old ones. Last year, I absolutely loved experimenting with various recipes and tasting what everyone else brought. Some of my personal go-to recipes for these gatherings include the rich and spicy Double Ginger Molasses Cookies, the festive Oatmeal White Chocolate Peppermint Cookies, or the wonderfully simple Easy Cake Mix Sugar Cookies. But these Peanut Butter Pretzel Chocolate Chip Cookies are a unique star, always earning rave reviews!

These peanut butter pretzel cookies are a delightful fusion of two beloved classics: the comforting oatmeal cookie and the ever-popular peanut butter cookie. Imagine a “monster cookie” taken to the next level, overflowing with irresistible M&Ms, rich chocolate chips, and a satisfying crunch from salty pretzels. This combination creates a truly addictive flavor profile that appeals to everyone, especially kids! They’re not just a hit with the little ones; adults will find themselves reaching for a second, and maybe even a third, from the cookie plate.

If you’re planning your holiday menu, I highly recommend starting your day with a comforting breakfast casserole. Last year, my Overnight Coconut Cranberry French Toast Bake was a massive hit with both my family and my wonderful readers. It’s the perfect way to kick off a festive morning! And what better way to cap off a wonderful day than with a few of these delightful Peanut Butter Pretzel Chocolate Chip Cookies? Sounds like a perfect holiday plan to me!

Diving Deeper into the Ingredients for Perfect Peanut Butter Pretzel Chocolate Chip Cookies

When you take a look at the recipe for these Peanut Butter Pretzel Chocolate Chip Cookies, you’ll notice one key difference from many other cookie recipes: I’ve used three eggs instead of the usual two. This isn’t a typo, but a deliberate choice! Did you know that adding an extra egg to your cookie dough helps create a wonderfully chewier cookie, a texture many of us adore? My original oatmeal cookie recipe uses two eggs, but after a bit of kitchen experimentation, I discovered that three eggs truly deliver the perfect, delightfully chewy consistency for these loaded cookies.

Let’s talk about the other delightful components that make these cookies so special. For the peanut butter, I prefer creamy peanut butter to ensure a smooth, melt-in-your-mouth base, but if you’re a fan of extra crunch, feel free to substitute with crunchy peanut butter. It will add another layer of texture that many enjoy!

To enhance the festive spirit, I specifically added holiday-colored M&Ms. However, don’t feel limited! You can easily customize your cookies with any type of M&M you love. Dark chocolate M&Ms would add a deeper, richer flavor, or for a refreshing twist, try mint-flavored M&Ms. For the pretzels, I sought out mini pretzels, which worked perfectly in this recipe. If you can only find larger pretzels, no problem! You can easily break them into smaller, bite-sized pieces using your hands or even a quick pulse in your stand mixer before adding them to the dough. The saltiness of the pretzels is crucial here, as it beautifully balances the sweetness of the chocolate and peanut butter.

Essential Baking Tips for Perfect Cookies & Holiday Meals

Baking, especially during the busy holiday season, can be a lot more enjoyable with a few smart strategies. Here are some essential facts and tips about eggs and general baking to keep in mind, ensuring all your festive creations turn out perfectly:

Why Eggs Are Your Baking MVP This Holiday Season:

• Achieve that perfect chew: As mentioned, eggs are key to creating chewier cookies, acting as a binder and adding moisture. Don’t be afraid to adjust egg quantities slightly based on your desired texture!
• Sleep in on Christmas morning! Make a breakfast casserole the night before. Pop it in the oven when you wake up for a warm and hearty breakfast! Eggs are all-natural and contain high-quality protein to keep you fuller longer and energized all day long. They’re not just for baking; they’re a fantastic way to fuel your holiday activities. Try this Southwestern Breakfast Casserole or this Cheesy Black Bean Salsa Verde Egg Bake to make your holiday mornings stress-free.
• Combat holiday stress with make-ahead meals: You can significantly cut down on holiday stress by making a breakfast casserole days, or even weeks, ahead of time. Freeze it before or after baking it. Just make sure to enjoy the casserole within 3 months for the best quality and flavor! This frees up valuable time on busy mornings.

Holiday Baking Hacks from Ohio Egg Farmers:

• Prevent lumps in your batter: If your recipe calls for multiple eggs, it’s always best practice to add one egg at a time. This method allows each egg to be fully incorporated into the mixture before adding the next, preventing a lumpy batter and ensuring a smooth, even consistency throughout.
• Separate eggs with ease: When a recipe specifically calls for only egg whites or yolks, use an inexpensive egg separator or a funnel. This simple tool helps you separate eggs cleanly and efficiently, avoiding contamination that can sometimes occur when passing the yolk back and forth between shells or using your hands.

Customizing and Storing Your Delicious Cookies

These Peanut Butter Pretzel Chocolate Chip Cookies are fantastic as written, but don’t hesitate to get creative! Here are a few ideas to make them uniquely yours:

• Chocolate Choices: Experiment with different types of chocolate chips – milk chocolate, white chocolate, or even a mix can add exciting variations.
• Nut Butter Alternatives: While peanut butter is classic, almond butter or cashew butter could offer an interesting flavor twist, though the pretzel pairing might be less traditional.
• Extra Crunch: For more texture, consider adding chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts.
• Holiday Cheer: Beyond red and green M&Ms, sprinkles or edible glitter can further enhance their festive appeal.

As you plan your holiday baking, make sure to add these loaded cookies to your must-bake list. They are wonderfully festive, offering the perfect balance of salty and sweet. This irresistible combination makes them an ideal treat for any party, family gathering, or simply a cozy night in. They are truly a crowd-pleaser that will disappear quickly!

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5 from 1 vote

Peanut Butter Pretzel Chocolate Chip Cookies

By
Julia Jolliff

Prep:

15 minutes
mins

Cook:

12 minutes
mins

Total:

27 minutes
mins

Servings:

32
cookies

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Peanut Butter Pretzel Chocolate Chip Cookies are made with creamy peanut butter and oats and loaded with pretzels, M&Ms and chocolate chips.

Ingredients

• ▢
  
  6
  tbsp
  butter,
  softened

• ▢
  
  1/2
  cup
  butter,
  softened

• ▢
  
  3/4
  cup
  brown sugar

• ▢
  
  1/2
  cup
  sugar

• ▢
  
  3
  eggs

• ▢
  
  1/2
  cup
  peanut butter,
  creamy

• ▢
  
  1 1/2
  teaspoon
  vanilla extract

• ▢
  
  1
  teaspoon
  baking soda

• ▢
  
  1 1/2
  cups
  all purpose flour

• ▢
  
  2 1/2
  cups
  oatmeal

• ▢
  
  1
  cup
  M&Ms ,
  {use red and green for the holidays}

• ▢
  
  1
  cup
  semi-sweet chocolate chips ,
  {or try dark chocolate}

• ▢
  
  1
  cup
  pretzels ,
  {smaller ones work best}

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the baking soda and all-purpose flour. Set this dry mixture aside.
• In a separate, even larger mixing bowl (or the bowl of a stand mixer), cream together the softened butter and both sugars until the mixture is light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract, then slowly mix in the creamy peanut butter until thoroughly combined.
• Gradually add the reserved flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix. Then, add the oats and mix again until evenly distributed.
• Finally, gently fold in the M&Ms, chocolate chips, and pretzels. If using a mixer, you can add the pretzels and pulse briefly to break them into smaller pieces directly in the dough.
• Drop rounded tablespoons of the cookie dough onto a nonstick cookie sheet, leaving enough space between each cookie for spreading.
• Bake for 10-12 minutes (I find 11 minutes to be perfect in my oven) or until the edges are golden brown and the centers are set but still slightly soft.
• Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Store any leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature to maintain their freshness.

Nutrition

Calories:
206
kcal

,

Carbohydrates:
26
g

,

Protein:
3
g

,

Fat:
10
g

,

Saturated Fat:
6
g

,

Polyunsaturated Fat:
1
g

,

Monounsaturated Fat:
2
g

,

Trans Fat:
0.2
g

,

Cholesterol:
30
mg

,

Sodium:
124
mg

,

Potassium:
81
mg

,

Fiber:
1
g

,

Sugar:
16
g

,

Vitamin A:
194
IU

,

Vitamin C:
0.1
mg

,

Calcium:
24
mg

,

Iron:
1
mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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Today’s post is proudly sponsored by the Ohio Poultry Association for supporting today’s recipe. As always, all opinions expressed are 100% my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that enable me to create quality content and delicious recipes for you.