Cheesecake Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies are a delectable fusion of three beloved flavors: creamy cheesecake, rich chocolate, and nutty peanut butter. These cookies offer a delightful combination of textures and tastes, making them a delightful treat for anyone with a sweet tooth.

The history of Cheesecake Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies can be traced back to the popularity of each component on its own. Cheesecake, with its rich and creamy texture, has a history dating back to ancient Greece, where it was served to athletes during the first Olympic Games. Over the centuries, cheesecake evolved and spread to various regions, resulting in different regional variations.

Chocolate chip cookies, on the other hand, are a more recent invention, believed to have originated in the 1930s when Ruth Graves Wakefield accidentally created the first chocolate chip cookie at her Toll House Inn in Massachusetts.

Peanut butter’s history can be traced back to ancient civilizations, where peanuts were ground into a paste-like consistency. Modern peanut butter as we know it today became popular in the late 1800s and early 1900s, thanks to the efforts of inventors like George Washington Carver.

The combination of these three flavors likely emerged as creative bakers sought to create unique and delicious treats that catered to multiple taste preferences. The result was the Cheesecake Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies, a delightful cookie that satisfies those who enjoy the creaminess of cheesecake, the richness of chocolate, and the nutty goodness of peanut butter.

Today, these cookies are a popular choice for parties, holiday gatherings, and everyday indulgence, allowing people to enjoy the best of three favorite desserts in one delightful bite.

INGREDIENTS

Filling:

• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• ¼ cup powdered sugar

Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies:

• 1 cup vegetable shortening
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 large eggs
• ¼ cup hot water
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 2-1/2 cups flour
• ½ cup cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 cups peanut butter chips

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius).

Filling:

1. In a medium bowl, mix together the softened cream cheese and powdered sugar until you achieve a smooth consistency.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies:

1. In the bowl of an electric mixer, cream together the vegetable shortening, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until well combined and creamy.
2. Add the eggs, hot water, and vanilla to the creamed mixture, mixing until all ingredients are thoroughly combined.
3. Gradually add the flour, cocoa powder, salt, and baking soda to the mixture, stirring until just combined. Stir in the peanut butter chips to evenly distribute them in the cookie dough.

Assembling the Cookies:

1. Using a medium cookie scoop, fill the scoop about 1/3 full with cookie batter. Place a teaspoon-sized ball of cheesecake filling in the center of the cookie batter in the scoop.
2. Cover the cheesecake filling with additional cookie batter, filling the scoop completely.
3. Place the dough on parchment or silicone-lined baking sheets, leaving space between the cookies.
4. Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes or until the cookies are just set.
5. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 2 minutes before transferring them to cooling racks to cool completely.

Final Steps:

1. Once the cookies have cooled completely, they are ready to be served and enjoyed by all! Savor the delightful combination of cheesecake, chocolate, and peanut butter in each delicious bite of these Cheesecake Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies.

Indulge in the delightful combination of textures and flavors in these cookies, and share them with friends and family to spread the joy of this delectable treat!