Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). This is a crucial step as it ensures that your cookies bake evenly and come out perfectly golden brown.
In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, and salt, then set aside. Mixing these dry ingredients first allows for even distribution of the baking soda and salt, which is essential for the right texture.
In another large bowl, whisk together the melted butter, peanut butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until the mixture is smooth and combined. This step is where the flavors start to meld together, creating a rich, creamy base.
Add the egg, egg yolk, and vanilla extract to the mixture and stir until thoroughly combined. The extra egg yolk helps to create a chewy texture in the cookies.
Gradually incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, mixing until a dough forms. It may look crumbly at first, but keep stirring until it comes together. If needed, don’t hesitate to use your hands to help mix it all together.
Carefully fold in the crushed pretzels and milk chocolate chips until evenly distributed throughout the dough. This adds that characteristic crunch and sweet burst with every bite.
Using your hands, form the dough into 1-inch balls. You might need to squish them together to ensure they hold their shape while baking. Place each ball on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie.
Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for about 8 to 10 minutes, or until they’re slightly golden and set. Keep an eye on them, as they can bake quickly!
Once baked, remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for about 10 to 15 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This cooling time allows them to firm up a bit and makes them easier to handle.
