Mug Cookie

A soft, chewy cookie is the perfect way to round out a hearty dinner. But if you’re just cooking for one or two people, why whip up a whole batch? This mug cookie recipe is an easy way to have tender cookies on demand without the need to pull out a baking sheet. The single-serve cookies are flavored with creamy peanut butter to give just the right amount of nuttiness. Sweet, tender and slightly savory, these delightful cookies are easy for any home cook to master. Ready in just 15 minutes, the simple recipe is ideal for those late-night cravings.

Mug Cookie Ingredients

• Butter: We start by melting butter in the microwave, then combining it with peanut butter and sugar. This acts as the base for this cookie in a mug recipe, while adding richness, moisture and structure.
• Creamy peanut butter: Creamy peanut butter combines beautifully with the melted butter and sugar here. It’s easy to spread and mix, and it evenly distributes throughout the mug cookie for nutty flavor. You can absolutely swap it for chunky peanut butter if that’s all you have on hand.
• Sugar: Sugar is essential in any cookie recipe. We’re using white sugar in this recipe because it helps the cookie puff up a bit more, adding air and fluffy texture. Brown sugar is a bit too compact and dense, so white sugar is a great way to achieve a lighter texture.
• Egg yolk: Eggs help cookies puff up while baking, which is essential for this cookie in a mug recipe. The yolk is packed with fat and works as a great emulsifier, so it’s an easy way to help bind the cookie together while adding richness.
• Flour: Standard all-purpose flour is best for this recipe because it’s very versatile. The flour will yield cookies that are soft and chewy with a gentle crispness.
• Milk: Nobody likes dry, crumbly cookies, and milk is the key to preventing them. The 2% milk here adds rich flavor and creamy texture with just the right amount of moisture.
• Vanilla extract: Sweet, nutty and a bit floral, vanilla extract is a great way to enhance the baking flavors in this recipe.
• Unsalted peanuts: To accentuate the richness of the peanut butter in this cookie in a mug, top it with unsalted peanuts. The nuts give a gentle crunch that’s a nice complement to the tender, chewiness of the cookie.

Directions

Step 1: Combine the ingredients

Spray a 12-ounce mug with cooking spray. Add the butter, then microwave on high until it’s melted, about 10 seconds. Stir in the peanut butter and sugar until combined. Add the egg yolk and stir in the flour. Add the milk and vanilla extract. Top with peanuts.

Step 2: Microwave till set

Microwave on high until set, 1 to 1-1/2 minutes. Serve immediately.

Mug Cookie Variations

• Add a swirl of jelly: If you prefer desserts that have a bit of fruity flavor, try adding a swirl of jelly here—like a hot and melty PB&J in a mug. Simply make the dough as outlined in Step 1, then add a dollop of jelly on top. Before placing the mug in the microwave, swirl the jelly around with a spoon, then top with the unsalted peanuts.
• Skip the peanut butter: If you’re not a fan of peanut butter or suffer from a nut allergy, try swapping it out for tahini instead. While tahini is made from sesame seeds, it still holds a nice nutty flavor, so it’s a great alternative to nut butters and works at an easy one-to-one substitution ratio. If you do have an allergy to nuts, be sure to skip the unsalted peanuts on top as well.

How to Store Mug Cookies

Mug cookies are best enjoyed hot and fresh. However, if you have some left over, you can certainly store it in the refrigerator for a day or two. Be sure to wrap the mug in plastic wrap before setting it in the refrigerator.

Can you make a mug cookie ahead of time?

While you can’t make the cookie itself ahead of time, you can certainly make the cookie dough ahead of time. Mix all the ingredients in Step 1 in the mug, then cover the mug in plastic wrap and place it in the fridge for one to two days.

Mug Cookie Tips

Can I use gluten-free flour?

You can absolutely use gluten-free flour here if you have a gluten intolerance. It’s an easy substitute for the all-purpose flour and doesn’t require any adjustment to the recipe; simply use a one-to-one substitution ratio.

Can I use chunky peanut butter instead?

Chunky peanut butter is a great substitute for creamy peanut butter in this cookie recipe in a mug. In fact, it’s entirely a matter of preference. Chunky peanut butter works just as well as creamy, you’ll just have (shocker!) more chunks of peanuts in your cookie.

What other add-ins can I use here?

If you want to add more flavor or texture to your cookie, there are a ton of different things you can add in here. To start, try adding a handful of milk chocolate or white chocolate chips. You can also incorporate butterscotch chips, extra nuts, oats or raisins. Simply mix your toppings in with the other ingredients in Step 1, then follow the rest of the recipe as indicated above. This recipe will also work with other cookies types, such as chocolate chip cookies or snickerdoodles.