I made Parent Trap Cookies—also known as Peanut Butter Oreo Swirl Cookies—a delightful mash-up of two cookie doughs swirled together with peanut butter and chocolate Oreo flavors, packed with Oreo bits and chocolate chunks for extra indulgence.

Parent Trap Cookies

Why I’ll Love This Recipe

I love how these cookies bring together rich peanut butter goodness and chocolatey Oreo decadence in every bite. The swirl effect makes each cookie visually stunning, while the soft, chewy texture and melty chocolate pieces deliver maximum satisfaction.

ingredients

(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

For the peanut butter dough: unsalted butter, dark brown sugar, granulated sugar, egg, creamy peanut butter, vanilla, all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, chopped Oreo pieces, chopped semi‑sweet chocolate
For the chocolate Oreo dough: unsalted butter, granulated sugar, dark brown sugar, egg, vanilla, flour, Dutch‑processed cocoa powder, baking soda, salt, milk, chopped Oreo pieces, chopped semi‑sweet chocolate

directions

I prepare peanut butter dough by creaming butter, sugars, peanut butter and egg until light, then mix in vanilla and flour, baking soda, salt, chocolate chunks and cookie bits. I separately mix chocolate cookie dough by creaming its butter and sugars, mixing in egg, vanilla, flour, cocoa powder, milk and fix-ins. Both doughs stay soft and chill separately for at least several hours.

Once chilled, I use a large cookie scoop and alternate scooping from each dough into a single mound—swirling them together beautifully. I top each cookie with extra Oreo or chocolate pieces and bake at around 350 °F until the edges set and tops look slightly glossy and just crackled (~12 minutes). After baking, I let the cookies rest on the pan before transferring to a rack so they firm up while still chewy center outshines.

Servings and timing

Yield: Around 24–30 cookies, depending on scoop size and dough amount
Prep time: ~15–20 minutes to mix both doughs
Chill time: ~4 hours or overnight—crucial for maintaining swirl structure
Bake time: ~12 minutes per batch
Cooling time: ~20 minutes on pan before moving

Variations

I love customizing by:

swapping in chunky peanut butter for texture variation
adding extra chopped gluten-free Oreos or alternative chocolate types
using a scoop returned between both doughs to intensify the swirl pattern
chilling the dough longer for deeper flavor and firmer cookie structure

storage/reheating

I store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. To maintain chew, I avoid refrigeration. If I want them warm, I brief heat in a low oven (250 °F/120 °C) for a few minutes restores soft interior and gooey chocolate bits.

FAQs

Why chill the doughs before scooping?

Chilling helps prevent spreading, keeps the swirl distinct, and deepens flavor—especially in the chocolate dough.

How do I get the swirl effect?

I use a large cookie scoop and alternate between peanut butter and chocolate dough, layering them until full—this naturally blends without fully mixing, creating the aesthetic swirl.

Can I skip the Oreo pieces or chocolate chunks?

Yes—but I love the texture contrast they provide. If skipping, the cookies become simpler but still delicious chocolate–peanut butter sandwiches.

Can I freeze the dough scoops before baking?

Absolutely—I freeze scooped dough balls on parchment until firm, then bake directly from frozen, adding 1–2 minutes bake time.

Will these cookies spread too much?

They spread moderately. Chilling helps, and tapping the baking sheet against the oven rack once mid-bake if needed can encourage proper expansion without losing shape.

Conclusion

I adore making Parent Trap Cookies for their nostalgic inspiration—combining peanut butter and Oreo just like in the classic movie moment—with gooey chocolate, chewy centers, and swirl art that makes each cookie special. They’re show-stopping but approachable. I can’t wait to experiment with mini versions or mix-in surprises next time. Let me know if you’d like the printable recipe!