Baking, Dessert, Pantry Cooking, Snack, Weight Watchers

Emergency Peanut Butter Cookies

Debbie Koenigby Debbie Koenig
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Emergency Peanut Butter Cookies

It’s Saturday night, and I had a cookie emergency.

By that, I mean that I’m at home on a Saturday night—what else is new—and I.need.cookies. But other than the bag of chocolate goldfish we use to tempt Harry from the playground, we’re plum out of them. And it’s, like, one degree outside. Or something. So I googled “quickest homemade cookie” and came up with this gem; there are so many versions of it floating around I don’t even know who deserves the credit. And I’ve put my own twist on it, so…

Keep this recipe in your back pocket. There are only four ingredients. You mix it with a whisk, in a soup bowl, or whatever’s nearby. It has chocolate in it. From “I.need.cookies” to “I ate cookies” takes less than 30 minutes.

You need these in your life.

Emergency Peanut Butter Cookies
Makes 10, and doubles well
Weight Watchers: Yes, I can’t help it. I put this into the Recipe Builder. They’re 4 PointsPlus each, or 2 for 7.

1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup peanut butter (I used natural, but I didn’t see any distinctions in the recipes I browsed so you’re probably fine with commercial stuff)
1 egg white (use a whole egg if you’re doubling)
2 tablespoons chocolate chips (mini would be nice, but I only had regular)

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet and set it aside.
  2. Combine the sugar, peanut butter, and egg white in a bowl. Whisk together until it’s completely mixed, about a minute, then stir in the chocolate chips.
  3. Drop onto the baking sheet by the tablespoon (I used a large cookie scoop) and flatten slightly with a fork. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until they’re beginning to brown on the bottom—the tops won’t really brown, and they’ll feel soft but not mushy.
  4. Allow the cookies to sit on the baking sheet for 2 minutes, until they’re firm enough to move, then transfer to a cooling rack.

MAKE BABY FOOD: Well, if there are no food allergies in your family and the baby happens to grab one of these out of your hand while you’re eating, it won’t harm him. But given the added sugar & chocolate chips, I wouldn’t recommend feeding them to him intentionally. Besides, these are the kind of cookies you make after the baby’s finally gone to sleep, when you’re so frazzled the only thing that’ll help is a little something sweet.