These small-batch peanut butter cookies are easy to make, super peanut buttery, and SO good.
Hey, workweek got you down? You should make yourself a cute little batch of peanut butter cookies. Your day will get 97% better immediately. I promise.
I love a good peanut butter cookie and these cookies definitely earn that label. Other words used to describe them by taste testers have been, “amazing,” “really really good,” and “my favorite peanut butter cookies ever.”
The Perfect Small-batch Peanut Butter Cookies
These cookies are super peanut buttery and the perfect (or at least my perfect) peanut butter cookie texture where they’re a little soft and crumbly, a little chewy, and with a little extra oven time, a little crunchy.
This recipe makes six cookies so there are just enough to share, but not so many that you’re in any real trouble should you choose not to. 😉
Notes Ingredients
- Baking staples: The bulk of the ingredients for these cookies is made up of baking staples, flour, baking soda, salt, butter, brown and granulated sugar, and vanilla extract.
- Peanut butter: Smooth or chunky peanut butter will work, but stick with a processed brand like Jiff or Skippy, as these give you the most consistent results for baking.
- Egg yolk: This recipe uses only an egg yolk. For ideas on what to do with that leftover egg white, check out my post What to Do With Leftover Egg Whites (I recommend a small batch of banana muffins).
How to Make a Small Batch of Peanut Butter Cookies
- Mix dry ingredients together in a small bowl.
- Whisk together wet ingredients in a medium bowl. You can use a handheld mixer for this part if you’d like, but all you really need is a whisk and a little elbow grease.
- Stir dry ingredients into the wet and mix.
- Scoop rounded spoonfuls of the dough and roll into balls before placing on the cookie sheet and using a fork to press a crosshatch pattern into the top of each cookie.
- Bake and let the cookies cool and set for at least 10 minutes before eating.
Peanut Butter Cookie Variations
- Chocolate chip/Peanut butter cup cookies: Add 1/3 cup of chocolate chips or chopped peanut butter cups to the dough before baking.
- Nutella-stuffed cookies: On a plate lined with parchment paper, freeze six 1-tablespoon-sized dollops of Nutella until solid, about 20 minutes. Make the cookie dough, and when forming the cookie dough balls, split them in half and place a frozen dollop of Nutella inside. Squish the top and bottom halves back together, press with a fork, and bake according to recipe instructions.
- Peanut butter cookie sundae: Top warm cookies with a scoop of ice cream, peanut butter sauce or fudge sauce (or both!!), whipped cream, and sprinkles.
Small-batch Peanut Butter Cookies Troubleshooting
These cookies are pretty simple to make, but occasionally people run into trouble. These are the two issues I’ve seen:
Warm cookies are falling apart: This is normal! The cookies need to set before you can eat them. If you try to move them right after they come out of the oven, they will crumble in your hand. Give them 10 to 15 minutes on the baking sheet and they will firm right up.
If you prefer a softer, slightly underdone cookie and don’t want them to continue to cook from the heat of the baking sheet, slide the entire sheet of parchment paper (with the cookies still on it) off the tray onto the cool counter. This might be a little challenging if you’re using a rimmed baking sheet, but I believe in you.
Dough too crumbly: This happens when there is too much flour in your dough or if you have an extra small egg yolk. Next time be sure to measure the flour by weight or using the spoon and sweep method (stir the flour in your container to fluff it up and then spoon it into your measuring cup, sweep excess off with the flat of a knife).
You can fix the dough by adding just a bit of milk or water, 1/2 teaspoon at a time, until the dough comes together and there is no dry flour at the bottom of your bowl.
FAQ
How to store peanut butter cookies?
Store your cookies at room temperature in an airtight container for up to five days.
Can I freeze peanut butter cookies?
Yes! These cookies freeze *really* well. If you have leftovers, put them in a freezer bag and they will keep in the freezer for up to 2 months.
Can I use natural peanut butter in these cookies?
You could probably get away with using natural peanut butter if you really want to, but these cookies have not been tested with it, so I can’t guarantee the results.
More Peanut Butter Desserts
- Peanut Butter Cookie for Two
- Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies
- Small-batch Monster Cookie Bars
- Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate
More Small-batch Cookies
- Small-batch Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Small-batch Oatmeal Cookies
- Perfect Small-batch Sugar Cookies
- Small-batch Gingerbread Cookies
- Small-batch Shortbread Cookies
Or check out my entire Small-batch Cookie Recipe Archive.
Small-batch Peanut Butter Cookies
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup (60g) all-purpose flour measured by weight or using the spoon and sweep method*
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/3 cup (85g) peanut butter (not natural peanut butter)
- 3 tablespoons (1.5oz) unsalted butter softened
- 3 tablespoons (37g) brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons (25g) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Pre-heat your oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or silicone baking mat.
- In a small bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt.
- In a medium bowl, combine peanut butter, softened butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, egg yolk, and vanilla. Whisk together until smooth.
- Stir in flour mixture until just combined. Scoop rounded spoonfuls of the dough and roll into 6 balls. Place dough onto prepared cookie sheet and use a fork to firmly press a crosshatch pattern onto the tops of the cookies.
- Bake for 8 to 11 minutes, until the edges of the cookies look set, but the cookies are still pale (for a crispier cookie, bake for 10 to 12 minutes until the cookies begin to darken). Cool on the baking sheet for at least 10 minutes before moving (cookies will be quite soft until they cool).
- Enjoy!
Notes
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission if you make a purchase using them. There is absolutely no additional cost to you.
Hope says
Hi, I appreciate the detail in your recipe, but why do you specifically say no natural peanut butter?
Tracy says
Hi, Hope. Natural peanut butter is more oily so it can change the texture of desserts. You usually can use it in a pinch, but I don’t double test all my recipes using it, so I always recommend regular peanut butter since I can’t guarantee the results.
Susan Forrest says
Tracy, the cookies were fabulous, real melty-in-the mouth. I thought I had some non-natural peanut butter in the cupboard, but my husband ate it. So I used the natural. He hadalready poured about half the oil off the top, then mixed the rest in. I had some bittersweet chocolate discs, so I broke them in half and pressed them into the cookies.
Pearl says
Sometimes I bake at late hours of the night/ungodly hours.
This was the most perfect recipe for me! I barely had butter and wanted something sweet, but realized a full batch of cookies was a bit much.
Something said “google small batch peanut butter cookies.” And oh my stars am I glad I did! Since I bake often I had everything (including a scale), and this whipped up so fast.
My brother even loved them. We’re adding this to the “late night baking” recipe box!
Also we baked them in my convection toaster oven! They’re absolutely perfect! Thank you for sharing this recipe!
Tracy says
Thanks, Pearl! So proud they earned a place in your “late night baking” recipe box! 😉
Holly says
These were so good and a big hit at the nonprofit I volunteer at (one of the girls there has come to expect cookies when I volunteer). I love when your recipes only require a spatula so I don’t have to get out my mixer! Thank you for the awesome recipe and all the recipes you provide for us small batch bakers.
Tracy says
Thanks, Holly! I’m so glad everyone enjoyed them!!
Annabel says
Oh wow!!!! I’m a student at university so I’ve not got loads of ingredients or equipment… But I was craving cookies and these were SO perfect!! I’ve saved this recipe, I’ll be making these again soon!!!!!!
Tracy says
So glad these worked out for you, Annabel!!
Emily says
OMG so good!! Yummy late night snack and totally recommend making these!!! They make little to no mess!
Tracy says
Thanks, Emily! So happy you enjoyed them!
Emilie says
This recipe makes great cookies! I even forgot to press mine down because I have a baby crawling around 😉 but did it at the end and they still turned out yummy. I also added a 1/4 bar of baking dark chocolate cut into pieces. My one question is how to improve upon the texture? Because I added the both sugars the cookie had a slight granulated texture. Any tips or do you know why? Thanks again!
J says
I just moved across the country and had limited baking ingredients. Thats why I like this easy recipe. I followed the recipe except for I omitted the salt because I had a dark chocolate sea salt bar that I broke up and added a little to the dough. Love when I can find small batch recipes.
Tracy says
Loooooove the idea of using salted dark chocolate in these!!!
Colette McFarland says
Discovered your site recently when looking for recipes for two as my husband & i are empty
nesters now. Just loved your peanut butter cookies! Quesion: If i did want to double the recipe
would i use 2 egg yolks?
Tracy says
Usually when doubling one of my cookie recipes that calls for just an egg yolk, you can either use two egg yolks or use one whole egg. It does change the texture and flavor a little bit. With these cookies, it makes them slightly puffier and softer. It’s really up to you, since it will work either way.
Alondra says
Yess
Sara says
This recipe did not work out for me at all. Would not reccomend
Tracy says
So sorry to hear you didn’t enjoy them, Sara!
Mandie Mayhem says
Maybe you didn’t properly follow the instructions
Because everyone else seems to love them.
Lily says
I don’t like peanut butter that much, but I still really wanted to make peanut butter cookies for some reason. At first I thought these cookies were just ok (because of the peanut butter flavor, I don’t know what I expected lol) but then I couldn’t stop eating them! I didn’t share a single cookie i loved the texture and flavor. And now, days later, I still think of these cookies. I will be making them again for sure!
Bakhtawer Memon says
Top notch recipe. Followed it exactly, came out crunchy around the edges and soft in the middle.
Allison Campbell says
I am in love with these peanut butter cookies. OMG, it has been way too long since I made them but with a large batch I always overeat. This is perfect for me, the recipe made 6 large cookies and 1 medium size so 7 total. I could honestly eat them all at one but I will stop at 2 for now! The ingredients came together really easily and baked up wonderfully. The only addition I made was to roll them in sugar before pressing them down in the crosshatch pattern.
Tracy says
LOL so thrilled to hear it, Allison!! And I’ve totally been doing the sugar thing too recently. I should really add it to the recipe!!
Sam says
Not the greatest recipe I’ve had, but decent. Good taste and okay presentation. My batter was quite wet; so I had to leave them in several minutes longer than called for to bake too.
Whirlycook says
Great recipe! It’s a keeper. 6 is just enough for hubs and me. I have made these several times, sometimes substitute Truvia for some of the sugar. Bake them a bit longer. The texture and flavor is suberb.
Linda Herr says
Is the calories for1 cookie
Tracy says
Yes. Calories are per cookie.
Monica says
Great recipe! I did a fun tweak and used 1/4 cup of peanut butter with a a teaspoon of miso. Super yummy!
Tracy says
Oooo, miso sounds like an EXCELLENT addition!
Just KK says
Yummy cookies – quick easy recipe – perfect for two! Thanks for a great recipe that I will be making often
Lorie says
These cookies are to die for!! A perfect recipe with excellent instructions, you really can’t mess this up! These cookies satisfied a craving for my mom’s homemade PB cookies without making a batch that was way too big for two of us! THANK YOU for this delicious recipe, it’s a keeper!!
Tracy says
So glad you both enjoyed them!!
Chelsea says
I’m terrible at baking, but have really been craving peanut butter cookies. I used Gluten Free 1:1 flour and since you stressed the importance of the measurements I used a scale. I got 12 decent sized cookies out of the small batch (6). I’m both impressed at this delicious recipe and the fact that I baked something I didn’t have to toss Can’t wait to eat these with my iced coffee!! It’s a shame Pinterest no longer allows photos on comments.. I was really excited to show off my cookies haha. Thank you will definitely try more of your recipes ❤️
Laura H. says
These cookies are a go to for us! We full time live and travel in our rv and many times we are not close to a store when we want something sweet. We prefer to not eat store bought cookies if possible. I found this recipe and have made them about six times already (including the ones in my oven now) loving this small batch recipe!!