Peanut butter and jelly cookies have been a beloved treat in my family for as long as I can remember. Growing up, my grandma would spend the entire weekend baking batch after batch of these perfectly soft and chewy peanut butter and jelly cookies. The aroma of the fresh-baked cookies would fill the entire house, and my siblings and I would eagerly await our turn to sample the warm, gooey goodness.
I can still picture myself as a young child, watching intently as Grandma carefully spooned dollops of vibrant jelly onto the peanut butter cookie dough. She always made sure to leave a little well in the center so the jelly could ooze out just perfectly. Then, she’d gently press another cookie dough round on top, sealing in the fruity surprise. The finished cookies were an absolute work of art – golden brown on the outside, with the perfect peanut butter to jelly ratio in every bite.
Peanut butter and jelly cookies have a special place in my heart, and I’m thrilled to share this cherished family recipe with you today. Get ready to make the new go-to cookie in your household!
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Why This Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookies Recipe Will Become Your Go-To
The secret behind these perfect Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookies lies in the balance of flavors and textures. The buttery, nutty peanut butter cookie dough provides the ideal canvas for the sweet, fruity jelly center. But what really sets this recipe apart is the unique technique of sandwiching the jelly between two layers of cookie dough. This ensures that the jelly stays perfectly intact and oozes out in every bite, rather than getting absorbed into the dough. Trust me, one taste and you’ll be hooked!
The Secret Behind Perfect Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookies
What makes this Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookies recipe so special is the attention to detail in both the dough and the assembly process. The cookie dough is made with a blend of smooth and crunchy peanut butter, resulting in a delightful texture. And by chilling the dough before baking, the cookies hold their shape beautifully, with a soft and chewy center.
The real magic happens when you add the jelly. By creating a well in the center of each cookie dough round and then sealing it with another layer of dough, the jelly stays perfectly intact, oozing out in every bite. It’s a simple technique that takes these Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookies to the next level.
Essential Ingredients You’ll Need
- Smooth peanut butter: The foundation of the cookie dough, providing rich, nutty flavor.
- Crunchy peanut butter: Adding a delightful textural contrast to the cookies.
- Unsalted butter: Gives the dough a perfectly tender and indulgent mouthfeel.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the cookie dough and helps create that signature crisp edge.
- Brown sugar: Adds depth of flavor and chewiness to the cookies.
- Eggs: Binds the dough together and contributes to the soft, pillowy texture.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances the overall flavor profile of the Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookies.
- All-purpose flour: The base of the cookie dough, providing structure.
- Baking soda: Helps the cookies rise and develop a light, airy texture.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and brings out the flavors of the other ingredients.
- Your favorite jelly or jam: The fruity filling that makes these cookies truly irresistible.
Step-by-Step Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookies Instructions
Preparing Your Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookies
These Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookies are surprisingly easy to make, with a total prep and baking time of just 30 minutes. You’ll need a large mixing bowl, a hand mixer or stand mixer, a cookie scoop, and a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Let’s get started!
1- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the smooth peanut butter, crunchy peanut butter, unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
2- Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract until well combined.
3- In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until a soft dough forms.
4- Cover the dough and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This helps the cookies hold their shape during baking.
5- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Scoop the chilled dough into 1-inch balls and place them about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet.
6- Use your thumb or the back of a teaspoon to gently press a small well into the center of each dough ball. Spoon about 1 teaspoon of your favorite jelly or jam into the well. Top with another dough ball, pressing the edges to seal in the jelly.
Pro Tips for Success
The key to perfect Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookies is all in the details. Here are some expert tips to ensure your cookies turn out amazing every time:
- Chill the dough for at least 30 minutes before baking. This helps the cookies hold their shape and prevents them from spreading too much.
- Use a combination of smooth and crunchy peanut butter for the best texture. The smooth peanut butter provides a creamy base, while the crunchy peanut butter adds delightful nutty bits.
- Don’t overfill the centers with jelly. Stick to about 1 teaspoon per cookie to prevent the filling from oozing out too much.
- Be gentle when pressing the top cookie dough ball onto the filled bottom half. You want to seal the edges without pressing down too hard and squeezing out the jelly.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This helps them hold their shape.
Serving and Storing Your Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookies
Perfect Pairings for Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookies
These Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookies are the ultimate comfort food and make a great addition to any gathering. Serve them alongside a tall glass of cold milk for a classic pairing, or pair them with a hot cup of coffee or tea for a delightful afternoon treat. They’re also a wonderful addition to a lunchbox or picnic basket.
Storage and Make-Ahead Tips
Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookies are the perfect make-ahead dessert. Once baked and cooled, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For longer storage, you can freeze the unbaked cookie dough balls for up to 3 months. When ready to bake, simply thaw the dough in the refrigerator overnight, then bake as directed.
Variations and Dietary Adaptations for Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookies
Creative Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookies Variations
The beauty of this Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookies recipe is that it lends itself well to endless variations. Try using different flavors of jelly or jam, such as strawberry, raspberry, or even grape. You can also experiment with swapping in different types of nut butters, like almond or cashew butter, for a twist on the classic.
For a festive touch, consider adding a sprinkle of chopped nuts or a drizzle of melted chocolate on top of the baked cookies. Or, for a seasonal twist, try using holiday-inspired jams like cranberry or apple butter.
Making Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookies Diet-Friendly
To make these Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookies gluten-free, simply substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. For a vegan version, use plant-based butter and replace the eggs with a flax or chia egg substitute.
If you’re following a low-carb or keto diet, you can make Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookies by using a sugar-free peanut butter and swapping the granulated and brown sugars for your preferred low-carb sweetener. Just be mindful that the jelly or jam will still add some carbs to the recipe.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of smooth?
A: Absolutely! In fact, this recipe calls for a combination of smooth and crunchy peanut butter to create the perfect texture. The crunchy peanut butter adds a delightful nutty crunch to the cookies.
Q: How do I prevent the jelly from oozing out too much?
A: To keep the jelly neatly contained, be sure not to overfill the cookie dough wells with more than 1 teaspoon of jelly. Additionally, gently press the top dough ball onto the filled bottom half to seal in the jelly.
Q: Can I make these cookies ahead of time?
A: Yes, Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookies are the perfect make-ahead dessert. You can store the baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For longer storage, freeze the unbaked dough balls for up to 3 months.
Q: How many cookies does this recipe make?
A: This recipe yields approximately 24 Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookies, depending on the size of your cookie scoop. The recipe can easily be doubled or tripled to make a larger batch.
Q: My cookies spread too much during baking. What did I do wrong?
A: If your Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookies spread excessively, it’s likely that the dough wasn’t chilled long enough before baking. Make sure to chill the dough for at least 30 minutes, or up to 24 hours, to help the cookies hold their shape.
Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookies
- Total Time: 25
- Yield: 24
Description
Indulge in the classic flavors of peanut butter and jelly in these delightful, bite-sized cookies. With a soft, chewy texture and a delicious combination of sweet and nutty, these cookies are perfect for a quick snack or a satisfying dessert.
Ingredients
– 1 cup creamy peanut butter
– 1/2 cup granulated sugar
– 1/2 cup brown sugar
– 1 egg
– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
– 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
– 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
– 1/4 teaspoon salt
– 1/2 cup strawberry jelly or jam
Instructions
1. – Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. – In a large bowl, cream together the peanut butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until well combined.
3. – Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until smooth.
4. – In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
5. – Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until a dough forms.
6. – Scoop rounded tablespoons of dough and place them on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
7. – Using your thumb or the back of a spoon, make a small indentation in the center of each cookie.
8. – Fill the indentation with a teaspoon of strawberry jelly or jam.
9. – Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the cookies are lightly golden around the edges.
10. – Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
For a fun twist, try using different types of jelly or jam, such as grape, raspberry, or apricot. You can also add a sprinkle of powdered sugar on top of the cookies for an extra touch of sweetness.
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 10
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Conclusion
Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookies are a classic treat that never goes out of style. With their irresistible combination of nutty peanut butter and sweet, fruity jelly, these cookies are sure to become a new family favorite.
I hope this recipe has inspired you to try your hand at making Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookies at home. Remember to chill the dough, be gentle with the jelly filling, and have fun experimenting with different flavor variations. Let me know in the comments how your cookies turned out, and don’t forget to share this recipe with your loved ones. Enjoy!
