It was late one night – my danger time is around 10pm. I know I should brush my teeth before then and not be tempted by things but it’s always around then that I get very peckish. After quite some years I’ve figured out that I like something to crunch on a bit late at night just before bed (I’ve always feared going to bed hungry, I don’t think I ever have, much the opposite given my late night snacking activities). That night it was cold and I was nursing a hot chocolate and all I wanted was a cookie to dunk in it.
See you can be truly lazy and stir it with the same knife that you used to get the peanut butter out of the jar!
I’ve always been the obsessive type. My shoe collection is a case in point – who really needs over 100 pairs of shoes when you really don’t out that much? My obsessiveness extended to these cookies. I used up more than half a jar of peanut butter trying to get these just right. I first started with trying to make a white chocolate, oatmeal and cranberry cookie (inspired by the Donna Hay cookie mix) but found that oatmeal was a hard ingredient to microwave dry in order to get the correct texture. Four attempts were made and then suitably humiliated, I regrouped and came back with a sugar cookie.
However that wasn’t quite indulgent enough and the unloved jar of peanut butter in my pantry beckoned to me (bought by Mr NQN when I was away in Austria so that he could subsist on sandwiches and not starve to death). Do you ever get those moments when things just present themselves to you? It happens to me often, multiple times daily and I usually listen to these cues. I was given the Hershey’s Kisses from a friend but sadly I’m not a huge fan of them (although the cinnamon chips are another matter and another obsession) but I hate things going to waste to I decided to use them in this recipe. You could of course replace them with regular chocolate chips although they do go wonderfully in these cookies.
A disaster cookie!
This recipe required a few attempts and most of the trial and error lay in the microwave cooking time and the amount of butter and temperature of the butter. Like the 5 minute chocolate mug cake and the 5 minute cheesecake, timing is absolutely crucial when it comes to microwave cooking. My microwave is a medium powered one but if yours is a strong one, “bake” it in 30 second bursts. You may even have to discard the first one as that one often ends up burnt (just while you are testing out your microwave). Once perfected, the end result is a crunchy deliciously good cookie. I think I gained significant weight trying these out to perfect them (I think in total close to a dozen attempts were made) but I think this could be close to the ideal 5 minute cookie recipe. Or you tell me 
So tell me Dear Reader, do you like easy and fast or challenging recipes?
The 5 Minute Peanut Butter & Chocolate Chip Cookie
An Original Recipe by Not Quite Nigella
Makes 1 single cookie
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1.5 tablespoon white sugar (it will give it more crunch than caster or superfine sugar)
- 2-3 teaspoons peanut butter (approximately, I used a knife I admit)
- 1/3 to 1/2 of a beaten egg
- 2 tablespoons plain flour
- tiny pinch of salt
- small dash of vanilla extract
- 3 Hershey’s Kisses
1. Melt the butter in the microwave on short 20 second 50% bursts so that it is not sizzling but merely just melted. Mix this along with the rest of the ingredients in a bowl. Line a plate with a square of parchment. Shape the dough into a cookie shape and place on the parchment.
Ok not attractive…
2. The microwave time is always the tricky part as each microwave is different. Mine isn’t particularly powerful so I cooked it on 100% power for 60 seconds-you can eat it now if you like the softer texture. I like a crispy cookie so I microwaved it on 100% for another 30 seconds. The chocolate is the part that may burn from cooking it too long so just be careful not to put it infor too long. Leave to cool for a few minutes as it will continue to cook upon cooling. Meanwhile while it cools, make yourself a hot chocolate or a cup of tea or coffee. I prefer these after they have rested for 10 minutes or so but I realise that this means that you may have to wait for what may seem to be an inordinate time.
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103 Comments | Add your own
I too cannot bear the thought of going to bed hungry!Lets say I would love to – LOVE TO – be one of those people who have the patience to calmly manage a challenging recipe,especially one involving a lot of fiddliness, but unfortunately that’s not me. I can start calmly,but lose my patience very quickly.:D
I am ADDICTED to peanut butter at the moment – so these cookies would be perfect!!!! IF there is any peanut butter left in the jar that is
Girl, you are too funny! Desperation at 10pm drives you to invent a 5 minute microwave cookie? It is very clever though..
PS. If you bake a big conventional batch of cookies, you can freeze them for ages and they defrost perfectly for snack emergencies..
Super fun! Sometimes you just need a bite or two . . .
You’re super brilliant? You know that? How great to have just one biscuit. I hate the hangover of biscuits when I make a bunch. They beckon for me to eat them, so I do begrudgingly… and feel guilty all week for it.
Now, no more! x
This is super cool! But now that I think of it, not so cool as this is information that will probably turn against me and my cravings!!!
YUM!
oh, I’m guessing you made some peanut butter cookie icecream with the disaster cookies, or did they last that long?
A yummy treat!
Cheers,
Rosa
What a brilliant idea Lorraine! Thanks for being so determined
We are of one mind over Hershey’s – kisses are hideous but the cinnamon chips divine – I recently bought three packets……
My “lets get thin for best friend’s birthday party” diet has been blown out the window!
I’m making this tonight!!!!
Wow this is such a genius idea.
Wow this is such a genius idea. I have a real weakness for cookies. Think I’ll be making this quite often in the future
How cool! Love a microwave cookie. I like both types of recipes, depending on my mood and the time I have available.
Oh my goodness, Lorraine…recipes that are this fast and delicious are truly a danger for me, lol! This is absolutely brilliant. I’m sure I’ll be using it to satiate my next late-night craving.
Awesome biscuit! I think challenging recipes are an essential part of cooking. I like to come up with an idea and then try and create it.
Naughty naughty- these really quick cookies and cakes are not good when I am trying to convince myself that I dont have enough time to whip up something naughty.
i loved your 5min choc mug cake, so i must try these late one night….!
Luckily I don’t have a microwave!! Otherwise, this cookie could be very dangerous for me.
Sounds deliciously dangerous. And please post pictures of your shoes collection. Thanks in advance
Oh girl, I’m the same way!! I get so very hungry just before bed. Yep – I love fast recipes too – if they work properly and taste marvy.
Hello NQN, hope this finds you well.
I have been pointed towards your blog by one of your fans and have now become a fan myself!
I like both if I am cooking by myself I will use a challenging recipe, but if my disabled daughter helps quick and easy is the way to go. I have discovered that the Aldi packet butter cake mix can be turned into a tea cake, which can be made and eaten within an hour.
I like both if I am cooking by myself I will make a challenging recipe, but if my disabled daughter helps fast and easy is the way to go.
I love both
Peanut butter and chocolate is my dream combination!
I love quick recipes for achieving something with a product with little effort – makes the perfectionist in me feel good! But I also like what nigella would call “shimmying into Italian Mama mode” and spending an absorbing rainy day perfecting something tricky
Only five minutes-great quick sweet treat!
Oh dear, I’m going to avoid this like the plague!! I got hooked on your chocolate mug cake and had to limit myself to 2 a week. Luckily I’ve got myself out of that addiction and it’s been 3 months since my last one
I figure that if I want a cookie I may as well make a whole batch and have a total pig out
you wont believe it but its 2:35 am here in riyadh and just before switching off my pc i decided to get a carrot out of my fridge and read your blog, lol. Call it desperation or fear of going to bed thinking about food and only food but just today evening i vowed to eat healthy esp my night time snack lol… so i quiet understand your innovativeness when it comes to just before bed time food, been there done that, does bread butter and sugar sound familliar?!!
But gurl its a real good recipe.
The good old microwave hey? I’ve only ever cooked one thing in the microwave and that was a self saucing treacle pudding, done in several minutes. Difficult or simple, I’ll give any recipe a go
You have inspired me to make cookies this evening when I get home from work. What a perfect thing to do on a rainy Sydney day
P.S. Had leftovers of your creamy cauliflower and bacon soup ast night for dinner. YUM!!!!! I’m going to make some more over the weekend and perhaps have it with some cheesy toast, YUMMY!
Man, I would totally just eat the dough before the bad boy even made it to the oven.
P.S. No shame in double-dipping in the pb jar – I usually use my finger.
I must try this cookie – what a good idea.
Not as a late night snack though because I’m trying to look lean and fabulous for a party this weekend – so late night eating is out! (well I can achieve the lean, but unfortunately not the fabulous!)
here is the recipe, using the oven and makes many
Peanut Butter & Chocolate Chip Crispy Biscuits
• 1 cup Crunchy/smooth Peanut Butter
• 3/4 cup castor sugar
• 1 egg, beaten
• 3/4 cup chocolate chips
Method
1. Beat the Crunchy Peanut Butter and sugar together in a bowl. Mix in the beaten egg.
2. Work in the chocolate chips. The mixture will be quite stiff.
3. Roll tablespoonfuls into balls and place on a well-greased baking tray. Flatten firmly with a fork.
4. Bake at 180oC for 15-18 minutes until the biscuits are cooked and lightly browned. Transfer to a cake rack to cool and then keep in an airtight container.
I love all your 5 minute recipes. This is another to try out and will probably go straight to the favourite recipes list. Thank you
Thanks for the inspiration, Lorraine!! I have had a crook child home from school for most of last week and all this week, too. She has had to miss out on a school trip to Orange for the week and is horribly disappointed, but these might just make her smile today!
Delicious!! I am in a cookie loving craze at the moment. I think it’s the cooler weather as there is nothing better than a cookie and a chai latte!
Wow,all that trouble for a cookie,I think that is obssesive & funny.
I too always get hungry at 10 at night. Hubby says it’s because I’m really tired, which is probably true, but I have to have my vanilla ice cream. My secret stash of food is what is in my freezer. There is always a cupcake or three in there waiting for that late night craving.
Oh dear… another reason to buy peanut butter. I swear it’s my kryptonite. These look delish.
hehe another simple microwave recipe this looks great! love the laziness of using the butterknife to mix eheh
I don’t think I’d be able to wait 10 minutes to eat them! Hehe.
OMG those look absolutely delicious! I am the same… late at night its like the cookie monster comes out in me.
Love your photography food work as well!
Wow, what an interesting recipe!
Oh no! This has been mentally filed, and when the late night urge hits, will be recalled perfectly!
Can’t beat a 5 minutes cookie! It’s 10:30 pm here and i’m heading to the kitchen.
5 mins? Thumbs up from a non baker like me.
I can’t go to bed hungry. It’s a tough decision whether to get out of a cosy bed to spoil my freshly brushed teeth! Certainly an interesting recipe Lorraine
I must say, I like the challenging recipes (minus the washing up), but quick ones are king when you’re strapped for time.
I love your recipes, they are such fun! And I identify wholeheartedly with the commentary that accompanies them!
Thank you.
More tasty recipes & fun soon please.
What if you don’t have a microwave???? Can you bake? Pan fry even?
I am so happy right now. This is exactly the recipe I need to stop me eating entire jars of chocolate-flavoured peanut butter over the course of two nights. (The spoon keeps going back of its own accord, I promise! I have no control over it!)
You have created something that is very very dangerous! Now that I know I can make a cookie in 5 mins to enjoy with my evening cup of tea it will most definately become a regular. I’m going to try this tonight using some choc chips and leftover dulce de leche.
Bit like my thrown-together caramel sauce to put on warm date loaf for slapdash desert the other night – pseudo sticky date pud! Will try these cookies & see if I can quadruple it to share – - maybe!!
yum…peanut butter and chocolate, and 5 minutes as well! Love it
How do you only use 1/3 of an egg? Not to be wasteful, I would have to make 2 more of these yummy looking cookies. That’s my excuse for making (and eating) more. =)
Love your persistence.
After the night I’ve had, I have to make these right now. I love the idea of 5 minute desserts. I never think to use my microwave for actual cooking, just reheating.
Oh my… the problem with this recipe is that I can’t have just one
We have the term “late night snack” in our family. Yeah… it’s bad for my waistline.
I do love a challenging recipe but become so disappointed if it doesn’t turn out perfect!
I have to curb my late-night eating as it all ends up on my hips, not a good look lol. If I’m really hungry I’ll make myself a cuppa or drink a glass of water. Boring, I know
Ok loving this recipe! Going to pass this one on to junior. Seems perfect for the hungry impulsive 17 year old.
Who am I kidding, will be trying this one myself.
You’re an evil EVIL woman!
Hi just read 5 minute peanut butter & chocolate cookie recipe with interest – what are Hershey’s kisses, where do I get them from and if I can’t get them what can I substitute them with.
Cheers.
You have interesting obsessions!
My obsession is for books. I love book shops. Maybe I should open one 
Love your quick chocolate chip cookies. I always love easy and quick recipes. Guess I just don’t have patience in cooking 
this is simple quick and yummy looking cookies!
i crave instant gratification. fast and easy is almost always preferable to me, assuming that the result is something delicious. thank heavens for the microwave!
meanwhile, you have over 100 pairs of shoes? land sakes…
I like both
At the moment I have eczema on my hands so I have to say fast and easy but I love the feeling of achievement that comes with a complicated recipe.
And hear you on the hungry before bed fear – it’s a terrible thing, it’s happened once or twice and I had to go eat and brush teeth *again* because I simply cannot sleep hungry.
This is going to sound very strange, but I actually prefer doing things via a long method as opposed to things you can do in less than ten minutes.
Still: I want to make these right now. I need chocolate and peanut butter!
oh dear, this is dangerous!!! peanut butter & choc chips! and an actual cookie in 5 minutes. much classier than putting the choc chips in the spoon of PB!
5 minute cookies sound like the perfect kind of cookies to me!
very very tempting – luckily I have some gingerbread for late night snacking – which you are making me think about – but I am already thinking about my jar of peanut butter
NQN I love you to death, instant microwave cookies for one, GENIUS!
wooooo hooo perfect cure for midnight muchies when I just want that dash of something sweet and have not a thing in the house and can not be bothered to make something time consuming. LOVE IT.
Oh, I am so glad that YOU did all the testing to perfect these scrumptious cookies for the rest of us and I have now just added them to MY list when I am peckish (when am I not) and don’t feel like piddling around for my sweets. Perfect! And I happen to LOVE Hershey’s Kisses and bring back bagfuls each time I go to the States.
JUST A LITTLE FRUIT
Aren’t leftovers great! I love ‘em, especially for a late evening snack. You don’t want to toss out four strawberries or half a healthy banana. No way. You want to use them up.
Looking in the refrigerator, I try to see what else can go with these few pieces of fruit. There’s some heavy whipping cream. By shaking the container, it sounds like there is about a quarter cup left. Don’t want to waste that. I whip it up quickly in a small bowl with a pinch of sugar and vanilla.
What else? There’s that dark chocolate on the bottom shelf of the door. Cannot let those two little sweet squares go to waste. I pop them into a small bowl to microwave. Yes, chocolate is good for you (so they say).
All right, I’m ready. I dip the giant rubies and yellow pearls into the melted chocolate to coat them. Then I pour on the soft blanket of cream.
This fruit is delicious, I say to myself. And I’ve used up some of my leftovers.
I guess I can go either way, late at night, hungry or just getting home from work, hungry = fast and easy and typically sweet. Saturday or Sunday, sipping a glass of wine, puttering in the kitchen = complicated and lengthy and typically savory.
ha, very interesting. i seem to be the master of killing things in the microwave, so this makes me nervous
Mine’s at 10 too! This is such a great idea, simple and quick!
LOL, for me, this post can be titled, “Trouble in 5 minutes” cause that’s exactly what I’d have
This is so funny! Necessity is the mother of invention, right?
You are the devil.
I just tried this and it worked brilliantly.
I love ya’ NQN. Did you know that?
Evil evil evil cake.
OK, let me correct that…. COOKIE!
You’re a freaking genius lady. I’ve said many times – I’m not a baker, but your 5 minute recipes have even got me “baking”..
You are truely a genius!!!
It’s another 5min dessert I can add to my favourites ; )
One cookie, adorable!!
I’ve read about microwaved cakes and what not but never game to try them but microwaved COOKIES? Might just have to give it a go =D
One cookie is better for portion control, but three is better for finishing the egg. Best eaten with company I guess!
Now that’s what I call controlled indulgence! Kudos to you!
What a perfect idea for a perfect sized snack. Must admit though I actually like baking in the oven and the aroma that wafts thru the house.
5 minutes? And no baking (well, technically)?! You’ve won me over once again Lorraine!
Lovely & tasty appetizing looking cookies, my dear friend!
Yummmmmmmmmmmmmm,…
You are truely a genius!!!
It’s another 5min dessert I can add to my favourites ; )
What an awesome idea! I’m a late night snacker too, definitely trying these
Hi Maria-Haha you and me both!
Ahh I see, but you make perfectly lovely things anyway! 
Hi Lisa-Me too! I go through stages and now I’m in the middle of a stage! :loL:
Hi Celia-hehe I’m a desperate housewife
Ahhh true true!
Hi Julie-hehe exactly! ;0
Hi Chantelle-Aww you are too kind darlin’! I know a whole batch or packet is just too tempting for moi
xxx
Hi Rita-Thankyou! Haha no really?
Hi Liss-I didn’t actually!
Hi Rosa-Thanks!
Hi Amy-Thankyou! I get very bull headed about things
I know, teh kisses aren’t much are they but they’re good in these cookies 
3 packets? I don’t blame you at all! 
Hi Wretchdz-hehe but it might help rather than a whole packet no?
Hi bakingaddict-Thankyou!
I hope you like it!
Hi Cakelaw-Hehe that is true, me too!
Hi Faith-Hehe cool! I hope you like it! I always like to have something quick up my sleeve
Hi Averil-I like them too! But I guess it depends on my mood and how much time I have
Hi sandra-Hehe but it’s just one! Much better than a packet!
Hi isLa-Oh fantastic! I hope you like it!
Hi gastronomy gal-hehe!
Hi foodwink-hehe it’s pretty big I am ashamed to admit!
I’ve never taken a whole picture of it! 
Hi Krista-hehe it’s danger time isn’t it!
Absolutely the taste has got to be there! 
Hi Juniper-Thanks very much! How wonderful and welcome!
Hi Jenny-Ahh that’s great! I think you could absolutely bling that mix up!
Hi Shan-It’s a great one isn’t it!
Yes if you have the time it’s good to do a complicated recipe! 
Hi Maria-thankyou!
Hi laura-Hehe you are so funny!
You are in 5 minute cake rehab now huh? 
Hi Mokita-Wow a carrot is very healthy!
hehe you know I’ve eaten that too! Or milk with sugar in it 
Thankyou!
Hi john-Wow, was that made from scratch? That sounds amazing!
Hi Charlotte-Oh fabulous! I hope that you like them!
Oh yay, I’m so glad that you like it! 
Hi Ally-hehe that’s totally acceptable too!
Hehe!
Hi arista-thanks so much!
best of luck! 
Hi pam-thanks for the recipe!
I’m sure those without a microwave would appreciate it 
Hi missbee-aww thankyou so much!
You’re more than welcome!
Hi Amanda-You’re more than welcome!
Aww I hope she is ok and they made her smile! 
Hi delicieux-I agree! thtey both go together so well!
Hi Portuguese kitchen-hehe thanks!
Hi Angela-There’s something about 10pm isn’t there! How very clever!
Hi LaLa-It’s moreish isn’t it!
Hi Betty-hehe thankyou! Who doesn’t do a bit of knife mixing every now and then huh?
Hi Betty-hehe! No really?
Hi Alicia-Thankyou so much! Yes I need a bit of crunch
Hi retrodaze-thankyou!
Hi Tenina-Absolutely! to be used in case of emergency
Hi zenchef-hehe I agree!
Great idea! 
Hi penny-it’s definitely a cookie for a non baker
Hi Renita-I know, I should really brush my teeth so that it makes it harder but I just can’t seem to
I think I want a late night snack!
Hi Christine-Thankyou so much! You are too kind!
Hi Joanne-there’s a recipe above if you don’t have one. Or you could of course bake it
Hi Hannah-Hehe cool! I hope it helps, it has helped me!
Oh yes the spoon loves PB too I swear!
Hi Melissa-hehe why thankyou!
Ooh DDL sounds like an amazing addition! 
Hi Paquita-Ahh that sounds really good!
Hehe good idea! 
Hi food.4.two-thankyou! I hope you like it!
Hi Lobo-You beat it up and then use 1/3 of it. Hey you could do that too! Thanks!
Hi Deanna-Oh dear, are you ok?
Thankyou! 
Hi Tuty-Hehe well you can make another one just after as it doesn’t take long
I know, it’s no good is it! 
Hi Matilda-yes especially if you’ve spent a lot of time on it!
very disciplined! 
Hi Sara-hehe it’s good for everyone I think!
Hi Reemski-Said only in the nicest way I’m sure!
Hi Francesca-You can use regular choc chips instead. You can buy them at specialist or imported candy stores too!
Hi Mary-Oh yes I like books too!
Absolutely why not! 
Thankyou!
Hi Nasi Lemak Lover-Thankyou so much!
Hi grace-hehe there’s something very attractive about instant gratification isn’t there! Hehe I do but I swear I haven’t bought a pair in ages
Hi Sasa-Oh no, you poor thing. I have eczema too and it’s annoying isn’t it! I’m very much with you there!
Hi Midge-hehe nothing wrong with that at all!
Hi Naomi-hehe you are too funny! I don’t mind the sound of that snack!
Hi Gourmet Chick-Absolutely!
Hi Johanna-hehe how about peanut butter and gingerbread? Or is that too strange?
Hi Moya-Hehe thankyou so much!
Hi Saphire-Absolutely, sometimes you just need a 5 minute recipe up your sleeve
Hi Jamie-Hehe I’m happy to do it!
hehe well it sounds like you have all the tools to create one! 
Hi Jacqueline-I love leftovers too!
Absolutely, and they’re perfectly fine a bit later too 
So clever and I like how you’ve used everything!
Hi Rocky Mountain Woman-yes I suppose it depends on timing and mood!
Hi justcooknyc-Hehe it just takes a bit of experimentation I promise
Hi pigpigscorner-haha isn’t that funny! Thankyou so much!
Hi Heavenly Housewife-Hehe that’s a good subtitle for it!
Hi The Duo Dishes-Absolutely! Or desperation
Hi Kylie-Haha thankyou!
I’m so glad that you liked it!
Hi Taiko Tari-Aww shucks thankyou girl!
Hi Forager-hehe why thankyou!
Hehe they’re good for work time hunger too! 
Hi Brenda-Aww thanks so much! I hope you like it!
Hi justJENN-Hehe thanks!
Hi angie-Hehe they’re so easy I promise!
Hi Arwen-Absolutely so! Hehe how about the next night?
Hi Sue-Hehehe thankyou! That’s what I was going for! Thankyou
Hi Linda-Thankyou! Surprsingly, there is an aroma from “baking” this in the microwave too!
Hi Trisha-aww thankyou luv!
Hi Sophie-thanks so much Sophie!
Hi Bruce-Aww you are too kind Bruce!
I hope you like it! 
Hi Phunk-Thankyou so much! I hope you like them!
How can a jar of peanut butter be unloved? I’m finding more and more people are out there trying to find the perfect peanut butter! I must try these for my kids. We made choc chip biscuits this week as part of my kids’ maths homework. We could add an extra sum for the peanut butter!
I love biscuits and I love Hershey Kisses so this recipe so definitely for me!
This website is wonderful! Thank you for taking such care in writing about your recipies! I love your site. I will be making lots of fun new recipies soon!
THANK YOU SO MUCH. OH MY GOSH. this is exactly what I needed for late night munchies :p
Wow that is so cool. You must have really wanted that cookie! Ha ha.
I just want to say that you are a very smart and clever and patient person and I envy you. 
This is the first food blog I have tried and just have to say, “It is beautifully presented. Thank you.” it’s obvious that lots of time, effort and love have gone into your writing – not to mention the delicious recipes. I will definitely be back.
Can these be baked and what temperature and time?
I made these for my daughter to leave out for Santa and they are AWESOME! The family could’nt wait for her to go to bed so they could gobble up the whole lot! lol
Hi Caddie! Hehe I just live that story! And I bet she was impressed that Santa visited her! Thanks so much for letting me know what you thought! X
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[...] Five Minute Cookie Recipe [...]
[...] version comes from the talented Lorraine at Not Quite Nigella (she also has an amazing recipe for a five minute peanut butter chocolate chip cookie… just sayin’ ). The other morning I was faced with a desire to use up some carrots and also eat [...]
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