If you’re ready to try something truly special, let me introduce you to my Miso Peanut Butter Cookies With Sesame & Chocolate Recipe. This cookie packs a punch with its savory-sweet balance, crunchy sesame coating, and melty dark chocolate chips. When I first baked these, I was blown away by how the miso adds depth you wouldn’t expect in a cookie, and the peanut butter complements it beautifully. Stick with me, and I’ll share every single detail so you can make these fan-freaking-tastic treats at home!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Unique Flavor Combo: The miso adds an unexpected savory depth that makes these cookies stand out from your typical peanut butter cookie.
- Textural Delight: The crunchy sesame seeds coating each cookie adds a nutty crispness that pairs perfectly with the chewy interior.
- Chocolate Bliss: Melty dark chocolate chips bring rich sweetness and gooey moments in every bite.
- Easy To Make: With simple pantry ingredients and straightforward steps, you’ll find success even if you’re new to baking cookies with this kind of flavor twist.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients come together to create a cookie experience that’s balanced and flavorful. When shopping, seek good-quality miso and a crunchy peanut butter to boost texture and taste.
- All-purpose flour: The base of your cookie dough, providing structure and chew.
- Baking soda: Helps with spread and texture, so your cookies aren’t too dense.
- Baking powder: Works alongside baking soda for that nice lift.
- Dark brown sugar: Adds moistness and deep caramel notes.
- Granulated sugar: Balances sweetness and helps with cookie crispness.
- Unsalted butter: Melting it adds richness and moisture; be sure to use unsalted to control saltiness.
- White miso: The magic ingredient that introduces a subtle umami flavor, making the cookie irresistibly complex.
- Sweetened crunchy peanut butter: Adds peanut flavor and delightful crunch—don’t skip the crunchy style here!
- Large egg: Binds everything together and adds moisture.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances the sweetness and rounds out all the flavors.
- Dark chocolate chips: Rich, melty morsels that everybody loves.
- Black sesame seeds: The crispy coating that gives the cookies that final irresistible nutty crunch.
Variations
I love making this recipe my own depending on what I have around or my mood. You can easily switch things up to suit your taste or dietary needs without losing that signature cookie charm.
- Nut-Free Version: Try substituting the peanut butter with sunflower seed butter and replacing the sesame seeds with toasted pumpkin seeds for similar crunch.
- Chewy or Crunchy: For softer cookies, bake a minute less; for crispier ones, add a little extra butter and bake a minute longer.
- White or Milk Chocolate: If you prefer, swap dark chocolate chips for white or milk chocolate for a sweeter bite—I’ve tried all, and each has its own charm!
- Sesame Seed Mix: Mixing black and white sesame seeds can give a visual twist and a slightly different flavor profile.
How to Make Miso Peanut Butter Cookies With Sesame & Chocolate Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Baking Sheets
First things first, place a rack in the middle of your oven and preheat it to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper to keep your cookies from sticking and make cleanup a breeze. Preparing ahead here really makes the baking process seamless.
Step 2: Mix Your Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and baking powder. It might seem small, but this step ensures your leavening agents are evenly distributed for consistent texture throughout your cookies.
Step 3: Cream the Sugars and Butter
Using a stand mixer with a paddle attachment—or a hand mixer if that’s what you have!—combine the brown sugar, granulated sugar, and melted butter at medium speed. Beat until the mixture falls in shiny ribbons when you lift the beaters, which takes about two minutes. This is a key step for creating a chewy, tender cookie.
Step 4: Add Miso, Peanut Butter, Egg, and Vanilla
Now add the white miso and crunchy peanut butter. Mix on medium speed for about a minute until everything’s blended together. Then add the egg and vanilla extract, beating just until combined—don’t overmix here or the dough could toughen.
Step 5: Combine Dry Ingredients with Wet
Add half your flour mixture to the wet ingredients and mix on low just to combine. Then add the rest, still mixing on low. Be gentle—overmixing develops gluten and can make the cookies dense instead of soft and tender.
Step 6: Fold in Chocolate Chips
With a rubber spatula, scrape down the sides of the bowl and fold in the dark chocolate chips by hand. This helps you avoid overworking the dough and ensures chocolate chips are evenly distributed.
Step 7: Roll and Coat in Sesame Seeds
Place black sesame seeds in a small shallow bowl. Using a tablespoon or cookie scoop (I like a rounded tablespoon for ping-pong ball-sized cookies), scoop dough and roll it smooth between your palms. Then roll each ball in the sesame seeds, coating all sides. Place them spaced 2-3 inches apart on your lined baking sheets for perfect spreading.
Step 8: Bake and Cool
Bake for 12 to 14 minutes until the edges are lightly golden and you see cracks on top—that’s your cue that they’re just right. Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. This rest gives them time to set beautifully without crumbling.
Pro Tips for Making Miso Peanut Butter Cookies With Sesame & Chocolate Recipe
- Miso Magic: Make sure to use white miso (not red or dark) as it has a milder flavor that blends perfectly without overpowering the cookie.
- Butter Matters: Melting the butter helps create chewy cookies, but don’t let it get too hot or it can cook the eggs when mixed.
- Sesame Coating: Rolling the dough balls in sesame seeds not only adds texture but also helps prevent the cookies from flattening too much when they bake.
- Avoid Overmixing: Mixing the flour in low and only until combined keeps the cookies tender and avoids toughness.
How to Serve Miso Peanut Butter Cookies With Sesame & Chocolate Recipe
Garnishes
For a little extra flair, sprinkle a pinch of flaky sea salt on top of the cookies right after baking. I love how the salt hits make the sweet-savory combo pop. You can also garnish with a few whole roasted peanuts or extra toasted sesame seeds for a pretty presentation.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair wonderfully with a mug of matcha tea or a cold glass of milk (dairy or plant-based). If you’re serving at a party, add a bowl of mixed nuts or fresh fruit for balance and a touch of brightness.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, arrange the cookies on a tiered dessert stand with little bowls of extra sesame seeds and chocolate chips on the side. I’ve also wrapped them individually in parchment paper tied with twine—makes a perfect homemade gift that gets rave reviews every time.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftover Miso Peanut Butter Cookies With Sesame & Chocolate in an airtight container at room temperature, layering parchment paper between them to avoid sticking. They stay fresh for about 5 days, maintaining that perfect chewy-crisp texture.
Freezing
You can freeze the cookie dough balls before baking—just shape and coat them in sesame seeds, place on a tray to freeze solid, then transfer to freezer bags. When you’re ready, bake from frozen, adding a couple extra minutes to the baking time. I love this method because it lets me enjoy fresh baked cookies anytime.
Reheating
To reheat, pop the cookies in a 325°F oven for 5 minutes or microwave for 15-20 seconds. This warms the chocolate and softens the cookie without drying it out. I always do this before serving leftovers because it brings them back to life.
FAQs
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Can I substitute the miso for something else in this recipe?
Miso is key for the unique umami flavor in these cookies, so there’s no exact substitute. If you don’t have miso, a touch of soy sauce or tahini could add some depth but it won’t have the same effect. I recommend trying to get white miso for best results—you’ll be surprised what it does!
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Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
To make a gluten-free version, swap the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free baking flour blend that includes xanthan gum or another binder. Texture may vary slightly, but I’ve had success using this swap and still getting chewy, tasty cookies.
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Why do the cookies crack on top when baking?
The cracks form because of the leavening agents and sugar caramelizing as the cookie spreads and rises. It’s a great sign that your cookies are perfectly baked with a tender interior and crisp edges!
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Can I use smooth peanut butter instead of crunchy?
You can use smooth, but I highly recommend crunchy peanut butter here—it adds more texture and helps balance the chewiness of the cookie with occasional nutty crunches that take each bite up a notch.
Final Thoughts
I absolutely love how these Miso Peanut Butter Cookies With Sesame & Chocolate Recipe come together—full of surprising flavors, textures, and just the right amount of sweetness. This isn’t just another cookie; it’s one that sparks conversation and gets your family asking for seconds. Honestly, once you try these, you might find yourself making them on repeat like I do. So go ahead, gather your ingredients, and bake up these delightful treats—I can’t wait to hear how much you and yours love them!
PrintMiso Peanut Butter Cookies With Sesame & Chocolate Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 14 minutes
- Total Time: 34 minutes
- Yield: About 35 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Fusion
Description
These Miso Peanut Butter Cookies with Sesame & Chocolate combine savory white miso and crunchy peanut butter with rich dark chocolate chips and nutty black sesame seeds. The result is a unique, chewy cookie with a perfect balance of sweet, salty, and umami flavors, baked to golden perfection.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
Sugars & Fats
- 1 cup dark brown sugar
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted
Wet Ingredients
- 1/3 cup white miso
- 1/3 cup sweetened crunchy peanut butter
- 1 large egg, at room temperature
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Mix-ins & Coating
- 1 1/2 cups dark chocolate chips
- 3/4 cup black sesame seeds
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Baking Sheets: Place a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat it to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and baking powder until evenly combined. Set aside for later use.
- Cream Sugars and Butter: In a large bowl, use a stand mixer with a paddle attachment or a hand mixer to beat the dark brown sugar, granulated sugar, and melted unsalted butter at medium speed. Continue mixing until the mixture falls in shiny ribbons when you lift the beaters, about 2 minutes.
- Add Miso, Peanut Butter, Egg, and Vanilla: Incorporate the white miso and sweetened crunchy peanut butter into the butter and sugar mixture, continuing to mix on medium speed until combined, about 1 minute. Then add the room temperature egg and vanilla extract, mixing just until incorporated.
- Incorporate Flour Mixture: Add half of the flour mixture and mix on low speed until just combined. Then add the remaining flour and mix on low again, being careful not to overmix to maintain cookie tenderness.
- Add Chocolate Chips: Using a rubber spatula, scrape down the sides of the bowl. Fold in the dark chocolate chips by hand until evenly distributed throughout the dough.
- Form and Coat Cookies: Place the black sesame seeds in a shallow bowl. Scoop cookie dough by rounded tablespoons (about the size of a ping pong ball), roll between your hands until smooth, then roll the dough balls in the sesame seeds to coat all sides. Arrange the coated dough balls on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them 2 to 3 inches apart to allow spreading.
- Bake and Cool: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 12 to 14 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the tops show cracks. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Repeat the process with remaining dough.
Notes
- Using room temperature egg ensures better mixing and texture.
- Do not overmix the dough once flour is added to avoid tough cookies.
- Roll cookies uniformly for even baking and consistent size.
- Let cookies cool on the baking sheet to complete cooking and firm up.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 160
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 130mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 25mg