Ingredients:

– 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
– 1 cup creamy peanut butter
– 1 cup granulated sugar
– 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
– 2 large eggs
– 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
– 3 cups all-purpose flour
– 1 teaspoon baking soda
– 1/2 teaspoon salt
– 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.

2. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, peanut butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. This should take about 2-3 minutes.

3. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract. Mix until well combined.

4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.

5. Fold in the chocolate chips until they’re evenly distributed throughout the cookie dough. Try not to eat too many chocolate chips along the way!

6. Using a cookie scoop or your hands, scoop out about 2 tablespoons of dough for each cookie and shape them into balls. Place the dough balls onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving some space between them.

7. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden but the centers still look soft. Remember, slightly underbaking the cookies will give them that irresistibly chewy texture we’re aiming for.

8. Once baked, remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheets for about 5 minutes. Then, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Or if you can’t resist, enjoy one warm cookie right away!

Now that you have the base recipe, feel free to get creative and make it your own! You can add chopped nuts, drizzle some melted chocolate on top, or even sprinkle a pinch of sea salt to enhance the flavor. These cookies are incredibly versatile and lend themselves to various adaptations.

So, my fellow cookie enthusiasts, go ahead and whip up a batch of these Soft and Chewy Bakery-Style Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies. Whether you savor them with a glass of cold milk or share them with loved ones, these cookies are sure to satisfy your sweet tooth and bring back cherished memories for years to come. Enjoy!