Preheat your oven to 175°C (350°F). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prepare for baking.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Use an electric mixer to beat them together on medium speed until the mixture is fluffy and light, about 2 minutes. You’ll notice the sugar dissolving and the mixture turning pale.

Add the creamy peanut butter and the large egg to the bowl. Mix again until the ingredients are fully combined, and the mixture is smooth with a slightly glossy appearance. This step helps incorporate the peanut butter evenly into the dough.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and a pinch of salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed just until the flour is incorporated and the dough is cohesive. Be careful not to overmix, as that can make the cookies tough.

Gently fold in the chocolate chips using a spatula or wooden spoon, distributing them evenly throughout the dough. The dough will be thick and slightly sticky at this point.

Chill the dough in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This helps relax the gluten and solidify the fats, which prevents excessive spreading during baking and enhances flavor.

Once chilled, use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to portion out the dough into balls. Place them on the prepared baking sheet, spacing about 2 inches apart to allow room for spreading.

Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the centers look slightly underbaked but set. The aroma of melting chocolate and toasted peanut butter will fill your kitchen.

Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the cookies sit for 5 minutes. Then, transfer them to a wire cooling rack to cool completely. This step helps the cookies firm up and develop their perfect chewy yet crisp texture.

Enjoy these warm or at room temperature, ideally with a glass of milk or your favorite beverage. The cookies will be soft in the center with a slightly crisp edge, dotted with melty chocolate chips and rich peanut butter flavor.