Name: Chewy Small Batch Peanut Butter Cookies
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 6 cookies
Cuisine: American

Midnight Bake Club Verified

July 15, 2025

10 Ingredients

MEDIUM

I can't stop making these small batch peanut butter cookies. They are super chewy, loaded with peanut butter, and have a lightly crisp, sugared exterior. With just a few pantry staple ingredients, you'll end up with 6 ridiculously easy-to-make, easier-to-eat cookies! Even better, they're one bowl, zero chill, and come together in under 30 minutes.

Chewy Small Batch Peanut Butter Cookies cover

From the Cook

1/5

Chewy Small Batch Peanut Butter Cookies

Midnight Bake Club Verified

Ingredients

WarningMilk and 5 other allergens identified

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C). Line a sheet pan with parchment paper and set aside.

Pour the melted, cooled butter and dark brown sugar into a medium mixing bowl. Whisk until the mixture is thickened and lighter in color, 2-3 minutes.

Add the egg yolk and vanilla extract. Then, stir in the creamy peanut butter. Using a rubber spatula, fold the flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt into the peanut butter mixture, just until the dough comes together and there are no more streaks of flour. Don't over-mix!

Using a #20 cookie scoop, divide the dough into 6 big balls. Roll the cookie dough balls between your palms until they're smooth and then roll them in the granulated sugar. (The dough may be soft, but do your best to roll them into balls or pucks.)

Place the cookie dough balls 2-3 inches apart on the prepared sheet pan. Bake the cookies for 5 minutes. Then, using oven mitts, grip the sides of the pan and "bang" the pan on the wire rack a few times, until the cookies crinkle on the edges. Bake for 4-5 more minutes, just until they're set on the edges and a little under-done in the centers.

Cool the cookies on the sheet pan for 5-10 minutes. Then, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy!

Smart Nutrition

My Calorie Intake

Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

0
Review & Earn

Be the first to review this recipe and earn a 20% Bonus

Level up & unlock free Premium by reviewing recipes!

My Notes

Your kitchen notebook is waiting.

Whether it's a recipe tweak or an inspiration burst — jot it down here.

Tips & Tricks (5)

Peanut Butter Consistency Magic 🥜
Use room temperature, creamy peanut butter for the most even mixing and optimal cookie texture - avoid natural or separated peanut butter which can make cookies crumbly.
Cornstarch Chewiness Secret 🍪
The cornstarch in this recipe is the professional baker's trick to creating incredibly soft, chewy cookies by interfering with gluten formation and adding tenderness.
Perfect Cookie Size Technique 📏
Use a 1.5 tablespoon cookie scoop for perfectly uniform cookies that bake evenly and look professionally made - this ensures consistent texture and appearance.
Fork Marking Pro Tip 🍴
When creating the classic peanut butter cookie crosshatch, lightly dip your fork in granulated sugar between pressings to prevent sticking and create a sparkling sugar crust.
Brown Sugar Moisture Hack 💧
The dark brown sugar provides extra moisture and depth of flavor, helping these cookies stay chewy for 2-3 days when stored in an airtight container.

Intelligent Tags

About the Cook

Midnight Bake Club

Do you love baking into the late hours of the night? Welcome to the club. At MBC, you'll find all of my late-night bakes from cookies to brownies & everything in-between. Every recipe I share is simple, decadent, & makes 8 servings or less!