If you like super soft, melt-in-your mouth, easy cookies, these are for you. You don’t need a mixer, can stir the dough together by hand, and the cookie cups are ready from start to finish in under a half hour. If you’ve ever had problems with cookies that spread all over your baking sheet, it’s impossible here because the muffin pan prevents it. They’re rich, dense, and there’s enough peanut butter to provide a nice, mellow peanut butter flavor profile without being overwhelmed by it. There’s a hint of chewiness around the edges which is a nice contrast to the super soft centers.
½cupcreamy peanut butterI recommend storebought and not homemade which is much runnier
¼cupgranulated sugar
1tablespoonvanilla extract
1 ½cupsall-purpose flour
½teaspoonbaking soda
pinchteaspoon saltoptional and to taste
1 ½cupssemi-sweet chocolate chipsdivided
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350F and spray a 12-count standard-sized muffin pan extremely well with floured cooking spray or grease and flour the pan (I prefer cosmetically to not use liners); set pan aside.
In a large, microwave-safe mixing bowl, melt the butter, about 1 minute on high-power.
Wait momentarily before adding the egg so you don’t scramble it. Add the egg, brown sugar, peanut butter, granulated sugar, vanilla, and whisk until smooth.
Add the flour, baking soda, optional salt, and stir until just combined; don’t overmix.
Stir in 1 1/4 cups chocolate chips; reserve remainder to place on cookie tops before baking.
Distribute dough equally among the 12 muffin pan cavities; each will approximately be filled to about three-quarters full. The cookies don’t rise much (nothing like muffins) so it’s okay if dough seems high in the cavities.
Evenly divide remaining 1/4 cup chocolate chips by placing a few chips on each cookie top, which creates a nice visual appeal.
Bake for 11 to 12 minutes, or until tops have set and are pale golden. A toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs, but no batter. Depending on your climate, muffin pan, brand of ingredients, taste preferences, etc. baking times will vary. Watch your cookies and not the clock; bake until done. Allow cookies to cool in pan for at least 15 minutes before removing them. If they have stuck to the pan, gently wedge the tip of a soft spatula into the muffin cavity to dislodge the cookies, rather than rimming with a knife so you don’t scratch your pan. Cookies will keep airtight at room temperature for up to 1 week or in the freezer for up to 6 months.