Published: by Kayla Burton · This post may contain affiliate links · 5 Comments
Looking for a super quick and easy dessert to satisfy your peanut butter craving? These Small Batch Peanut Butter Cookies are all you need! This recipe uses 1 egg yolk to make 6 cookies. No chilling is required, so if you start now you'll be enjoying delicious peanut butter cookies in less than 30 minutes! The peanut butter flavor is absolutely perfect and they stay soft for days (not that they'll last that long)!
5 from 11 votes
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This and my Sourdough Chocolate Chip Cookies recipe are my favorites to make when I have 1 yolk leftover from another recipe or just want a few homemade cookies without a big mess. Small batch recipes are really convenient, especially if you don't have a ton of mouths to feed or freezer space!
If you're interested in a half peanut butter, half chocolate hazelnut cookie, try my Peanut Butter Nutella Cookies! They're chewy and delicious with a gorgeous marbled look.
Looking for more delicious cookie recipes?
- Cookie Butter Cookies
- Monster Cookies
- Classic Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Cowboy Cookies
- Almond Butter Blossoms
- Maple Pecan Cookies
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- Ingredients
- Equipment
- Step by Step Instructions
- Tips For Success
- Recipe FAQs
- Storage
- More Cookie Recipes You'll Love
- 📖 Recipe
- 💬 Comments
Ingredients
- Creamy peanut butter: Crunchy peanut butter can also be used. Natural peanut butter isn't recommended, but leave out as much of the oil as possible if you do use it.
- All purpose flour
- Baking soda
- Ground cinnamon
- Salt
- Vanilla extract
- Egg yolk
- Light brown sugar
- Unsalted butter
See recipe card below for quantities.
Substitutions & Variations
Substitutions: Crunchy peanut butter can be used instead of creamy. Natural peanut butter isn't recommended but can be used with minimal oil added to the dough. This recipe has not been tested with other substitutions. If you do replace any ingredients, please let us know how it turned out in the comments below!
Variations: Feel free to mix in some mini chocolate chips or chopped peanuts for more flavor combinations. You can also over-bake them if you prefer crunchy peanut butter cookies.
Equipment
This is a small and simple recipe so you'll just need basic baking equipment. This cookie sheet is my favorite! I also like using my hand mixer to whip up the dough, but one isn't necessary.
Step by Step Instructions
Step One (Picture 1 above) - In a medium bowl, cream together the butter, peanut butter and brown sugar really well (2-3 minutes). Mix in the yolk and vanilla extract.
Step Two (Picture 2 above) - In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt.
Step Three (Picture 3 above) - Mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients just until everything is combined. The dough will seem a bit dry and crumbly.
Step Four (Picture 4 above) - Pack 2-3 tablespoons of dough into your hands and roll it into a nice sphere. You should be able to make 6 cookie dough balls. Space them out evenly on the baking sheet and then press down in the middle with a fork. Bake the cookies on the middle rack at 350°F/177°C for 8-11 minutes.
Tips For Success
- Use room temperature ingredients. Take the egg and butter out of the refrigerator about 30-60 minutes before getting started. This helps everything combine together better!
- Use a food scale. It's very important to measure the flour correctly so that your cookies aren't overly dry and crumbly. Weighing the flour in grams with a scale is the best way to do this. If using measuring cups, carefully spoon the flour into the cups and level it off with a straight edge (don't pack it).
- Use processed peanut butter. This kind works best in baking because it doesn't have the natural oils messing with the cookie's texture.
Recipe FAQs
Why are my cookies so crumbly, thick and/or falling apart?
This is likely from over-measuring the flour. I highly recommend using a scale to weigh the flour in grams (see metric tab in recipe card below). It could also be from over-baking the cookies.
What kind of peanut butter should I use?
Processed creamy peanut butter (Skippy, Jif, etc.) is best for this recipe. If you want to add more texture, feel free to use crunchy peanut butter. Natural peanut butter can be used if necessary, but try to avoid adding too much of the oil.
Can I use a whole egg instead of just the yolk?
Adding the egg white in addition to the yolk will make the dough too wet and sticky, so I wouldn't recommend it.
Can I add chocolate to make them into peanut butter blossom cookies?
You can certainly make a small batch of peanut butter blossoms with these! I'd suggest rolling the dough balls in sugar and giving them a gentle pat with your hand before baking them. Press the chocolate into the cookies right after taking them out of the oven.
Do you have a recipe for a full batch of peanut butter cookies?
I have this cookie sandwich recipe, but you can omit the chocolate ganache to just make peanut butter cookies!
Storage
Room Temperature: Store these peanut butter cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
Refrigerator: I don't recommend refrigerating these cookies as it tends to dry them out.
Freezing Instructions: Wrap the cooled cookies tightly in plastic wrap and/or a freezer-safe bag labeled with the name and date. Store in the freezer for up to 1 month.
More Cookie Recipes You'll Love
- Cookie Butter Cookies
- Soft Almond Sugar Cookies
- Scary Good Monster Cookies
- Chocolate Butterscotch Chip Cookies
Did you try this recipe? I'd love to see it!
Tag @brokenovenbaking on Instagram & Facebook and leave a ⭐️ review below!
📖 Recipe
Small Batch Peanut Butter Cookies
Kayla Burton
Soft and flavorful peanut butter cookies that are so quick and easy to make! Just 1 yolk is needed for this small batch of 6 cookies.
5 from 11 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 10 minutes mins
Total Time 20 minutes mins
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 6 cookies
Calories 239 kcal
Equipment
Baking sheet
Measuring spoons
Mixing bowls
Whisk
Spatula
Kayla's Top TipWeigh dry ingredients in grams (g) with a food scale for best results!
Ingredients
- ⅔ cup (83.33 g) all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup (56.75 g) unsalted butter room temperature
- ¼ cup (64.5 g) peanut butter creamy & processed is recommended*
- ⅓ cup (67 g) brown sugar light or dark, packed
- 1 large egg yolk room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350°F/177°C.
In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt.
In a medium bowl, cream together the butter, peanut butter and brown sugar really well (2-3 minutes on medium speed). Mix in the yolk and vanilla extract.
Stir the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients just until everything is combined. The dough will seem a bit dry and crumbly.
Take 2-3 tablespoons of dough and press it together in your hands, then roll it into a nice sphere.
Repeat to make 6 total cookie dough balls and spread them out evenly on a baking sheet.
Lightly press down on the dough balls with a fork or your hand.
Bake the cookies on the middle shelf just until their tops start to crack all around (about 8-11 minutes). Let them cool on the sheet for a few minutes and then transfer to a wire rack.
Notes
Storage: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, or in the freezer for up to 1 month.
Flour: Weigh the flour in grams (see metric tab) using a scale, or carefully spoon and level it off in measuring cups.
Peanut Butter: Creamy, process peanut butter (Skippy, Jif, etc.) is recommended. Crunchy peanut butter can also be used for more texture. Natural peanut butter isn't recommended but if you do use it, try to avoid the oil.
Nutrition:The provided nutrition information is an estimate, the calorie accuracy is not guaranteed.
Calories: 239kcalCarbohydrates: 25gProtein: 5gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 51mgSodium: 195mgPotassium: 108mgFiber: 1gSugar: 13gVitamin A: 277IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 24mgIron: 1mg
The provided nutritional information is an estimate per serving. Accuracy is not guaranteed.
Tried this recipe?Leave a comment below & tag @brokenovenbaking on social!
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Reader Interactions
Comments
Ana
Really yummy and soft! Perfect for using leftover egg yolks. Thanks for the recipe!Reply
Cynthia
Hello 🙂 I wanted to know can you use margarine instead of butter that's all I have at the moment !:( does it change anything ? Thank you 🙂
Reply
Kayla
Hi Cynthia! I haven't tried margarine but I think it should be okay to use, the texture may turn out a bit different though. I'd love to hear how it works if you try it!
Reply
Kathy
Oh my these cookies are so delicious, I will be making them again. Great for just the two of us.Reply
Kayla
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed them 🙂
Reply
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