No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies for Two

As an empty-nester, there are many adjustments to be made. Missing your kid, re-evaluating your place in this world (too deep?), and also, scaling back on dessert making.

Why one child in the house makes it ok to have 2 dozen cookies in the cookie jar, I don't know. What I DO know is, it's not working for me now. As in...I'll eat 23 of those 24 cookies.

Last week, this cookbook caught my eye at the library: Healthyish. I hadn't heard of it, but the tag line jumped out at me, "A Cookbook with Seriously Satisfying, Truly Simple, Good-For-You (but Not Too Good For You) Recipes for Real Life." Exactly what I didn't know I needed.

Mr. E and I have had at least four of the savory recipes, and all of them have been winners. Can you believe I made for savory dishes without even trying the desserts? Me, neither.

The first dessert to jump out at me was the Single-Serving Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookie. I made it for two because Mr. E would never forgive me for leaving him out and you KNOW I'm not splitting it.

Super simple, dangerously simple.

Combine peanut butter, oats, a bit of sugar, and vanilla.

Divide equally. Press with a fork. Freeze.

Melt chocolate chips, spread them onto the cookies. Sprinkle with flaky sea salt. This is my favorite one for this recipe. Freeze again, just until set.

EAT. These are thick, luscious, soul-satisfying cookies. And, healthy-ish.

No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies for Two
{adapted from Healthyish, makes 2}

4 tablespoons peanut butter
4 heaping tablespoons quick-cook oats
2 teaspoons powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons semisweet chocolate chips

flaky sea salt

Line small cookie sheet or plate with parchment. Stir the peanut butter, oats, sugar, and vanilla together until combined. Divide into two equal portions and roll into balls. Place on parchment-lined sheet. Use a fork to press the dough down in a crosshatch pattern. Freeze 5 minutes.

After 5 minutes, melt the chocolate chips in 20-second increments at 50% power, stirring after each. Once almost melted, stir until completely smooth. Remove cookies from the freezer. Spread 1/2 of the chocolate onto half of each cookie. Sprinkle with flaky sea salt. Return to freezer for 5 minutes. Enjoy.

This may go into daily rotation around here.