Chubby Hubby Cookies Recipe
Get ready for cookie nirvana! These Chubby Hubby Cookies transform the legendary Ben & Jerry’s ice cream flavor into a handheld treat that will make your taste buds do a happy dance. We’re talking chewy peanut butter cookies LOADED with crunchy pretzels and generous chunks of chocolate. It’s that magical salty-sweet combination that’s simply impossible to resist!
Why These Cookies Are Everything You Dream Of
- The PERFECT Salty-Sweet Combo – Just like the famous ice cream, these cookies hit that perfect balance that keeps you coming back for “just one more”
- Loaded with Pretzels & Chocolate – Every bite delivers that satisfying crunch followed by melty chocolate goodness
- Chewy Peanut Butter Base – The cookie itself? Pure peanut butter heaven that holds all those amazing mix-ins
- Utterly Indulgent & Satisfying – These aren’t your everyday cookies—they’re special occasion, hide-them-from-your-family delicious
- Super Fun to Make & Eat! – The process of loading these up is almost as enjoyable as devouring them
If you’ve ever found yourself standing in front of the freezer, spoon in hand, digging into that iconic Ben & Jerry’s pint from Vermont, you’re going to fall head over heels for these cookies. The genius combination of peanut butter, pretzels, and chocolate that made the ice cream a cult favorite translates perfectly to cookie form—and dare I say, might even be better?
Chubby Hubby Cookies Recipe Overview
Baking Time and Nutrition Facts
24 Cookies
15 Minutes
12 Minutes
27 Minutes
12g
14g
4g
215 Kcal
Tools You Will Need
- Large mixing bowl
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Whisk
- Silicone spatula
- Baking sheets
- Parchment paper or silicone baking mats
- Cookie scoop
- Wire cooling rack
The Chubby Hubby Cookies Ingredients
Print
Key Ingredients
- For the Cookie Base:
1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup (150g) brown sugar, packed
1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
3/4 cup (185g) creamy peanut butter (conventional brands like Jif or Skippy work best)
1 large egg, at room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/4 cups (150g) all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt (reduced because of the salty pretzels)
- For the Mix-ins:
1 cup (175g) semi-sweet chocolate chips or chunks
1 cup (60g) pretzel twists, broken into pieces (about 1/2-inch chunks)
Critical Patissier Notes:
Peanut Butter: I strongly recommend using conventional creamy peanut butter (like Jif or Skippy) rather than natural versions. The stabilizers in conventional PB help maintain the cookie structure. If you insist on natural peanut butter, stir it extremely well and be prepared for potentially thinner cookies.
Pretzels: The type of pretzel matters tremendously here! Mini twists or thin pretzel sticks work best. You want pieces large enough to provide that satisfying crunch but small enough to incorporate well into the cookies. Lightly salted pretzels create the best flavor balance.
Chocolate: While semi-sweet chocolate chips are the classic choice to balance the saltiness of the pretzels, milk chocolate lovers can use that variety for a sweeter cookie. For maximum indulgence, consider chocolate chunks over chips—they create bigger pockets of melty goodness!
The Perfect Balance: The success of these cookies lies in their salty-sweet equilibrium. That’s why we’ve reduced the salt in the dough to accommodate the saltiness from the pretzels. Trust me on this one—it’s cookie science!
How To Make Chubby Hubby Cookies
Building the Peanut Butter Foundation
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes with an electric mixer.
- Add the peanut butter and beat until completely incorporated and creamy, about 1 minute more.
- Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined. Make sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure everything is evenly mixed.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed just until combined. Don’t overmix! This can make your cookies tough.
Loading Up the Good Stuff!
Instructions
- Now for the fun part! Gently fold in the chocolate chips or chunks with a sturdy spatula.
- Add the pretzel pieces LAST and fold them in with just a few strokes. The key is to distribute them evenly without crushing them into dust. You want those distinct pretzel chunks to deliver their salty crunch in the final cookie!
- Stop folding as soon as the pretzels are distributed. Overworking the dough at this stage can crush your pretzels and develop too much gluten, resulting in tough cookies.
Baking Your Loaded Legends
Instructions
- Using a 2-tablespoon cookie scoop (or a heaping tablespoon if you don’t have a scoop), portion the dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. These chunky cookies need room to spread!
- Gently press down on each cookie slightly with your palm to flatten just a bit. Don’t squish them completely—we want thick, chewy cookies.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through baking. Look for cookies with golden edges but still slightly soft in the center. They might seem underdone, but they’ll continue to set as they cool.
- Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. This resting period is crucial for the cookies to set properly.
Tips for Chubby Hubby Cookies Success
Pretzel Preservation: The key to maintaining pretzel crunch is adding them at the very last moment and handling the dough minimally afterward. Also, understanding that these cookies are best enjoyed within 1-2 days of baking when the pretzels still retain their satisfying texture.
Dough Chilling: If your kitchen is warm or the dough seems very soft, chill it for 30 minutes before baking. This helps prevent excessive spreading and keeps those chunky ingredients suspended throughout the cookie rather than melting into the base.
Cookie Size Matters: Don’t make these too small! The beauty of Chubby Hubby Cookies is getting all those amazing textures in each bite. A generous 2-tablespoon scoop ensures you get the full experience.
The Visual Check: Rather than relying solely on time, look for visual cues when baking. The perfect Chubby Hubby Cookie will have slightly golden edges but still look a touch underdone in the center. They’ll firm up as they cool, resulting in that perfect chewy texture.
Pretzel Power: Choosing Your Crunch
While any pretzel will work technically, not all pretzels are created equal for these cookies! Here’s my quick guide:
- Mini Twists: The gold standard! Their size makes them easy to break into appropriate chunks.
- Thin Sticks: Break into 1/2-inch pieces for perfect distribution.
- Large Pretzel Twists: Break these into smaller pieces about the size of a dime.
- Pretzel Snaps: These grid-shaped pretzels can be broken into quarters for ideal sizing.
Avoid using pretzel rods (too thick) or pretzel dust (gets lost in the dough). The goal is distinct pieces that announce their presence with each bite!
Optional Indulgence (Variations)
While the classic Chubby Hubby profile is absolutely divine as written, here are a few ways to take these cookies to even more outrageous heights:
- Fudge Swirl: After mixing in the chocolate and pretzels, gently swirl in 1/4 cup of warmed fudge sauce for that true ice cream experience
- Malt Magic: Add 2 tablespoons of malted milk powder to the dry ingredients for a subtle malty flavor that nods to the ice cream base
- Sea Salt Finish: Sprinkle a few flakes of flaky sea salt on top of each cookie just before baking for an extra salty-sweet contrast
- Triple Chocolate: Use a combination of milk, semi-sweet, and white chocolate chips for even more chocolate complexity
How To Store Your Chubby Hubby Cookies
These cookies are at their absolute peak freshness within the first 24-48 hours when the contrast between chewy cookie and crunchy pretzel is most pronounced. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature.
For longer storage, these cookies freeze beautifully! Place completely cooled cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag. They’ll keep for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for about 30 minutes before enjoying.
The dough can also be frozen before baking. Scoop into balls, freeze on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag. When ready to bake, add 1-2 minutes to the baking time (no need to thaw first).
FAQs About Chubby Hubby Cookies
Q: My pretzels got soggy, why? A: This usually happens if the cookies are stored too long or in humid conditions. For maximum crunch, enjoy within 1-2 days of baking or consider adding the pretzels as a topping by gently pressing them into the top of the dough balls before baking.
Q: Can I use natural peanut butter? A: You can, but be prepared for a different texture. Natural peanut butter typically creates a more crumbly, less chewy cookie. If using natural, make sure it’s very well stirred and consider chilling the dough before baking.
Q: Are these cookies very salty? A: They have the perfect salty-sweet balance! We’ve reduced the salt in the dough to account for the salt from the pretzels. If you’re salt-sensitive, you can use unsalted pretzels and keep the salt in the dough as written.
Q: Do I need to chill the dough? A: It’s not mandatory, but 30 minutes in the refrigerator will help control spread and enhance texture, especially on warm days or if your butter was very soft to begin with.
Q: Can I add more pretzels? A: While tempting, adding too many pretzels can make the dough crumbly and difficult to form. Stick with the recommended amount for the best texture and structure.
Pure Fun Baked In
There’s something gloriously nostalgic yet daringly adventurous about these Chubby Hubby Cookies. They’re what happens when sophisticated flavor balance meets pure, unapologetic fun. That magnificent combination that made the ice cream a legend makes these cookies absolutely unforgettable.
So go ahead – embrace the joyful indulgence! These aren’t just cookies; they’re a celebration in edible form. A sweet-salty party that proves sometimes the best culinary creations come from playful inspiration.
Are you brave enough to handle these Chubby Hubby Cookies? I warn you – they disappear FAST! Show off your loaded cookie creations on Instagram with #ChubbyHubbyCookies – I can’t wait to see your salty-sweet masterpieces!
