Irresistible Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookies Recipe for All Ages

Growing up, my favorite after-school snack always involved a classic peanut butter and jelly combination that sparked pure childhood joy.

Memories of sticky fingers and crumbled sandwich corners inspired these delightful cookies.

Sweet nostalgia meets delectable baking in this simple recipe that captures comfort and warmth.

Each bite promises a magical blend of familiar flavors wrapped in a crisp, tender cookie.

Soft centers and slightly crunchy edges make these treats irresistible for both kids and adults.

Nobody can resist the playful marriage of smooth peanut butter and sweet fruity jam nestled in a perfect cookie form.

Bake these and watch smiles light up around your kitchen.

PB&J Gets a Cookie Makeover Worth Trying

• Savor Quick and Easy Comfort: Whip up these nostalgic cookies with minimal effort, perfect for satisfying sudden sweet cravings without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Create Playful Family Bonding: Kids will love helping to make these cookies, especially when pressing the jelly into the center, turning baking into a fun family activity.
• Customize with Endless Variations: Experiment with different jelly flavors like strawberry, raspberry, or grape to keep the recipe exciting and personalized for every taste preference.
• Portable Dessert Delight: These cookies are ideal for picnics, school lunches, or potlucks, offering a compact and delicious treat that's easy to pack and share.

Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookies Essentials

• Peanut Butter: Creamy base that adds rich nutty flavor to the cookies.
• Flour: Essential dry ingredient for cookie structure.
• Butter: Provides richness and helps create soft cookie texture.
• Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Sweet components that enhance cookie flavor.
• Egg: Binding agent that helps hold the cookie together.

• Baking Soda, Baking Powder: Helps cookies rise and become light.
• Salt: Balances and enhances overall cookie flavor.

• Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, sweet undertone to the cookies.
• Jelly or Jam: Provides sweet fruity center to the peanut butter cookies.

PB&J Cookies Baking Method

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Crank your oven to a toasty 350°F (175°C). Grab a baking sheet and line it with parchment paper to prevent any sticky situations.

Step 2: Whip Up the Butter Base

In a spacious mixing bowl, blend butter, white sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture looks fluffy and light as a cloud. This should take around 2-3 minutes of mixing magic.

Step 3: Add Creamy Goodness

Toss in peanut butter, a cracked egg, and a splash of vanilla extract. Beat everything together until the ingredients become best friends and fully combine.

Step 4: Create the Dry Mixture

In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. This dry blend will give your cookies perfect texture and flavor.

Step 5: Merge Wet and Dry Ingredients

Slowly fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Mix gently until everything just comes together – don’t overwork the dough.

Step 6: Shape Cookie Dough Balls

Scoop out tablespoon-sized dough balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet. Keep them about 2 inches apart to give them room to spread.

Step 7: Make Jelly Pockets

Using your thumb or the back of a spoon, create a small indentation in the center of each cookie dough ball.

Step 8: Fill with Fruity Surprise

Carefully drop a dollop of jelly or jam into each little pocket you’ve created.

Step 9: Bake to Golden Perfection

Slide the baking sheet into the oven and bake for 10-12 minutes. Look for edges that turn a beautiful light golden color. Don’t let them get too dark!

Step 10: Cool and Enjoy

Let the cookies hang out on the baking sheet for 5 minutes. Then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Get ready to bite into a nostalgic treat that combines childhood sandwich flavors into a delightful cookie.

PB&J Cookie Guidance That Works

• Measure Precisely: Use exact measurements for flour and sugars to ensure consistent cookie texture and sweetness.
• Choose Quality Jam: Select high-quality, thick fruit preserves that won't run during baking for beautiful, neat cookie centers.
• Control Indentation Depth: Press gently when creating cookie centers to avoid breaking the dough, keeping a small well for jelly.
• Room Temperature Matters: Bring butter, egg, and peanut butter to room temperature for smoother mixing and better cookie consistency.
• Prevent Spreading: Chill the prepared dough for 15-20 minutes before baking to help cookies maintain their shape and prevent excessive spreading.

Peanut Butter And Jelly Cookies How To Keep Them Fresh

• Store cookies in an airtight container with parchment paper between layers for up to 5 days. Seal tightly to prevent moisture and maintain freshness.
• Wrap individual cookies in plastic wrap, place in freezer-safe container, and freeze for 2-3 months. Thaw at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving.
• Warm cookies on a microwave-safe plate for 10-15 seconds at 50% power. Check temperature to avoid overcooking and maintain soft texture.
• Preheat oven to 300°F, place cookies on baking sheet, and warm for 3-5 minutes. This method helps restore original crisp edges and soft center.

PB&J Cookies Match Guide

• Pair Creamy Milk: Cold, fresh whole milk perfectly complements the rich peanut butter and sweet jelly in these nostalgic cookies, creating a classic childhood flavor combination.
• Serve Vanilla Ice Cream Scoop: A cold, smooth vanilla ice cream alongside these warm cookies offers a delightful temperature and texture contrast that elevates the entire dessert experience.
• Match Fruity Herbal Tea: A light raspberry or strawberry herbal tea harmonizes with the jelly's fruity notes, providing a gentle, refreshing counterpoint to the dense, nutty cookie base.
• Select Chocolate Stout: For adult palates, a smooth chocolate stout beer brings deep, roasted undertones that beautifully enhance the peanut butter's earthy richness and complement the cookie's sweetness.

Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookies: Classic Combo Variants

• Gluten-Free Friendly: Replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend, ensuring those with celiac disease can enjoy these classic cookies without worry.
• Almond Butter Alternative: Swap traditional peanut butter with almond butter for a different nutty profile and potential nut allergy accommodation.
• Vegan Version: Use coconut oil instead of butter, ground flaxseed as egg replacement, and ensure jam is vegan-friendly to create a plant-based cookie option.
• Low-Sugar Adaptation: Substitute granulated sugar with monk fruit sweetener or stevia, and choose a reduced-sugar fruit spread to make a diabetic-friendly treat.

FAQs

• Can I use different types of jelly or jam in the recipe?

Absolutely! You can experiment with various flavors like strawberry, raspberry, grape, or apricot to create unique taste combinations.

• Is it possible to make these cookies gluten-free?

Yes, simply substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend that contains xanthan gum for the best texture and consistency.

• How do I prevent the jelly from spreading too much during baking?

Make a smaller, deeper indentation in the cookie dough and use a thick, high-quality jam or jelly that has less moisture content.

• Can I substitute the peanut butter with another nut butter?

Definitely! Almond butter or cashew butter work great as alternatives and can provide a different flavor profile to the classic peanut butter cookie.

Peanut Butter And Jelly Cookies Recipe

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• Total Time: 32 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Classic peanut butter and jelly cookies merge childhood nostalgia with sweet bakery magic. Crisp edges, jammy centers, and nostalgic flavors invite home bakers to savor comfort in every delightful crumb.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 large egg

Sweeteners:

• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar

Dry Ingredients and Seasonings:

• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup jelly or jam (strawberry, grape, or your favorite flavor)

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Instructions

1. Prepare the baking workspace by positioning oven racks in the center and warming the oven to 350°F. Cover baking sheets with parchment paper for smooth cookie release.
2. In a spacious mixing bowl, transform butter and sugars into a creamy, aerated mixture by vigorously blending until the texture becomes light and fluffy.
3. Incorporate peanut butter, egg, and vanilla extract into the sugar mixture, whisking thoroughly to create a uniform, glossy base.
4. Create a separate container for dry ingredients, carefully combining flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt through gentle whisking.
5. Merge dry ingredients with the wet mixture, folding gently until ingredients are just integrated – avoiding overmixing which can toughen the dough.
6. Craft uniform dough balls using a tablespoon, strategically placing them across the prepared baking sheets with adequate spacing to prevent merging.
7. Using your thumb or a rounded utensil, delicately craft a small depression in the center of each cookie dough sphere.
8. Carefully spoon jelly or jam into the created wells, ensuring precise and even distribution across each cookie.
9. Slide the trays into the preheated oven, monitoring cookies until edges transform to a delicate golden hue – approximately 10-12 minutes.
10. Remove cookies and allow them to rest momentarily on the baking sheet, then transfer to a cooling rack, permitting complete temperature reduction before serving.

Notes

• Swap traditional peanut butter with almond or sunflower seed butter for nut-free alternatives, making these cookies perfect for school lunches and allergy-sensitive gatherings.
• Use low-sugar or sugar-free jelly to reduce overall sweetness and create a more health-conscious version of the classic cookie.
• Chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking to prevent spreading and ensure a more uniform, perfectly shaped cookie with crisp edges.
• Create a gluten-free version by replacing all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend, maintaining the same delicious texture and flavor profile.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 190
• Sugar: 14 g
• Sodium: 90 mg
• Fat: 8 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 26 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 20 mg