Peanut Butter And Jelly Cookies Recipe

Quick & Fluffy Peanut Butter And Jelly Cookies Recipe for Everyone

Peanut butter and jelly cookies blend childhood nostalgia with irresistible sweetness, elevateing a classic sandwich into a delectable treat.

Comfort food takes on a whole new meaning when these magical morsels emerge from your oven.

Soft, chewy textures mingle with rich, creamy peanut butter and bright, fruity jam swirls.

Each bite promises a delightful journey back to carefree afternoons and warm kitchen memories.

The perfect balance of salty and sweet creates an enchanting harmony that tantalizes taste buds.

Homemade cookies always feel like a warm hug, connecting generations through simple, heartwarming ingredients.

Kids and adults alike will fall in love with these playful, mouthwatering delights.

Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookies: What’s So Special?

  • Nostalgic Comfort Bites: These cookies capture the classic childhood sandwich flavor in a delightful handheld treat that instantly transports you back to cozy kitchen memories.
  • Quick and Easy Baking Adventure: With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, these cookies are perfect for beginner bakers looking to create something delicious without complicated techniques.
  • Sweet-Meets-Tangy Flavor Explosion: The combination of rich, creamy peanut butter and bright, fruity jam creates a perfectly balanced taste that dances between sweet and tart in every single bite.
  • Crowd-Pleasing Party Favorite: These cookies work brilliantly for casual gatherings, kids' parties, or afternoon snacks, offering universal appeal that makes everyone smile and reach for seconds.

Ingredients for Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookies

Main Ingredients:

Butter and Sugars: – Unsalted Butter: Provides rich, creamy base for cookie texture. – Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Sweetens cookies and helps create golden, crisp edges.

Peanut Butter: – Creamy Peanut Butter: Adds signature nutty flavor and helps bind ingredients.

Binding and Flavor Ingredients:

Egg and Vanilla: – Large Egg: Helps bind ingredients and provides structure. – Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor with warm, sweet notes.

Dry Ingredients:

Flour and Leavening: – All-Purpose Flour: Creates cookie structure and provides base. – Baking Soda: Helps cookies rise and spread evenly. – Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances overall flavor.

Topping Ingredient:

Jam: – Strawberry or Raspberry Jam: Adds fruity center and complements peanut butter flavor.

How to Bake PB&J Cookies

Step 1: Prepare Baking Setup

Preheat oven to 350°F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugars

In a large bowl or stand mixer, cream butter until smooth. Add:
  • Granulated sugar
  • Brown sugar

Beat until fluffy and light.

Step 3: Mix Wet Ingredients

Blend in peanut butter until well combined. Add:
  • Egg
  • Vanilla extract

Mix until smooth and creamy.

Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, mix together:
  • Flour
  • Baking soda
  • Salt

Gradually fold dry ingredients into wet mixture until dough forms.

Step 5: Shape Cookie Dough

Roll dough into 1.5-inch balls. Place on prepared baking sheets. Gently flatten each ball with a fork dipped in sugar.

Step 6: Add Jam Filling

Spoon a small dollop of jam into the center of each cookie.

Step 7: Bake and Cool

Bake for 13-15 minutes or until edges turn golden brown. Let cookies cool on baking sheets for 5-10 minutes. Transfer to wire racks to complete cooling.

Tips for Gooey Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookies

  • Soften Butter Perfectly: Take butter out of the refrigerator 30-45 minutes before baking to achieve the ideal creamy texture for smooth mixing.
  • Measure Peanut Butter Precisely: Use a measuring cup sprayed with cooking spray to ensure the peanut butter slides out cleanly and accurately.
  • Create Uniform Cookies: Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to make consistently sized cookie balls for even baking and professional-looking results.
  • Control Jam Placement: Use a small spoon or squeeze bottle to add a controlled dollop of jam in the center, preventing overflow during baking.
  • Prevent Sticking: Dip the fork in sugar before creating cross-hatch marks to add extra sweetness and prevent the fork from sticking to the cookie dough.

Store and Reheat PB&J Cookies

  • Refrigerator Storage: Place cooled cookies in an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Keep refrigerated for up to 5 days, maintaining their soft texture and delicious flavor.
  • Freezer Preservation: Wrap individual cookies tightly in plastic wrap, then store in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months, ensuring a sweet treat is always ready when cravings strike.
  • Reheating Method: Thaw frozen cookies at room temperature for 30 minutes. Warm briefly in a preheated 300°F oven for 3-5 minutes to restore their fresh-baked taste and bring back that irresistible soft texture.

Great Pairings for PB&J Cookies

  • Pair with Milk Madness: Grab a cold glass of whole milk to complement the rich, nutty peanut butter and sweet jam, creating a classic childhood flavor combination that dances on your taste buds.
  • Brew Some Comfort: Enjoy a warm cup of vanilla-infused coffee or chai tea, which will enhance the cookies' sweet and slightly salty profile while providing a cozy drinking experience.
  • Scoop Up Nostalgia: Serve alongside a small scoop of vanilla or strawberry ice cream to amplify the dessert's creamy texture and add an extra layer of indulgent sweetness that perfectly matches the cookie's jam center.
  • Chocolate Swirl Cookies: Replace half the jam with melted chocolate chips, creating a marbled effect on top of each cookie for a rich, decadent treat.
  • Nutty Crunch Cookies: Sprinkle chopped roasted peanuts or almonds on top of the cookies before baking for added texture and nutty flavor.
  • Almond Butter Alternative: Swap peanut butter with almond butter for a different nutty profile, keeping the same soft and chewy cookie base.
  • Berry Blast Cookies: Use mixed berry jam instead of traditional grape or strawberry jam to introduce a more complex fruity flavor to the classic recipe.
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Peanut Butter And Jelly Cookies Recipe

Peanut Butter And Jelly Cookies Recipe


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4.9 from 9 reviews

  • Total Time: 23 minutes
  • Yield: 24 1x

Description

Classic peanut butter and jelly cookies blend childhood nostalgia with sweet-salty comfort. Homemade cookies deliver irresistible texture and flavor, combining creamy peanut butter with fruity jam in one delightful treat you won’t be able to resist.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 1 cup creamy peanut butter
  • ½ cup (113 grams) butter (1 stick)
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 & ½ cups (180 grams) all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled

Sweeteners:

  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • ¼ cup brown sugar, packed

Additional Ingredients:

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ cup seedless jam (more for topping)
  • Melted peanut butter for garnishing
  • Chopped peanuts for garnishing

Instructions

  1. Heat the oven to 350°F (177°C) and prepare two baking sheets by lining them with parchment paper.
  2. Using a large mixing bowl or stand mixer, whip softened butter until creamy and smooth.
  3. Incorporate granulated sugar and brown sugar into the butter, mixing until the mixture becomes light and airy.
  4. Blend in smooth peanut butter until thoroughly integrated.
  5. Add the egg and pure vanilla extract, stirring until the mixture achieves a uniform consistency.
  6. In a separate bowl, sift together all-purpose flour, baking soda, and kosher salt.
  7. Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring gently until a cohesive cookie dough forms.
  8. Roll the dough into uniform balls approximately 1.5 inches in diameter, positioning them evenly on the prepared baking sheets.
  9. Gently press down on each cookie ball using a fork dipped in granulated sugar, creating a classic crosshatch pattern.
  10. Delicately place a small dollop of fruit jam in the center of each flattened cookie.
  11. Bake in the preheated oven for 13-15 minutes, watching for lightly golden brown edges.
  12. Remove from the oven and allow cookies to rest on the baking sheets for 5-10 minutes to set.
  13. Transfer the cookies to wire cooling racks to complete cooling and achieve optimal texture.

Notes

  • These nostalgic cookies blend childhood sandwich flavors into a delightful sweet treat perfect for baking with kids or enjoying as a comforting snack.
  • Soft, chewy texture comes from creaming butter and sugars thoroughly, creating a rich base that complements the peanut butter’s nutty essence.
  • Using fork marks adds classic cookie design while helping cookies spread evenly during baking, ensuring consistent shape and texture.
  • Jam center provides a burst of fruity sweetness that contrasts beautifully with the dense, rich peanut butter cookie background.
  • Room temperature ingredients help create smoother dough and more uniform cookie consistency, preventing clumpy or uneven mixing.
  • Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, maintaining their soft texture and delicious flavor profile.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 13 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 24
  • Calories: 180 kcal
  • Sugar: 12 g
  • Sodium: 110 mg
  • Fat: 11 g
  • Saturated Fat: 4.5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 5.5 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 17 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 4 g
  • Cholesterol: 25 mg
Lucas Bennett

Lucas Bennett

Founder & Recipe Creator

Expertise

Simple Everyday Recipes, Sustainable Cooking Practices, Creative Meal Planning, Recipe Testing and Improvement

Education

Fox Valley Technical College, Appleton, Wisconsin

  • Degree: Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Practical culinary training, fundamental cooking techniques, meal planning, and using fresh, local ingredients.

Lake Superior College, Duluth, Minnesota

  • Program: Certificate in Sustainable Food Systems
  • Focus: Cooking methods that promote sustainability, farm-to-table practices, and eco-friendly meal creation.

Lucas Bennett’s cooking journey started in his parents’ kitchen, where he learned to prepare tasty, no-fuss meals from scratch. His culinary passion led him to Fox Valley Technical College, where he gained practical cooking skills.
He then expanded his focus on sustainability at Lake Superior College. Today, Lucas shares easy, approachable recipes designed to make cooking enjoyable and stress-free for everyone.

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