Name: Peanut Butter And Jelly Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 24
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup creamy peanut butter; 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter; 3/4 cup granulated sugar; 1/4 cup packed brown sugar; 1 large egg; 1 tsp vanilla extract; 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour; 1 tsp baking soda; 1/4 tsp kosher salt; 1/2 cup seedless jam; Additional jam; Melted peanut butter; Chopped peanuts

Crispy, chewy peanut butter and jelly cookies spark childhood memories with a delightful twist.

Nostalgic flavors dance across your palate in every delectable bite.

Sweet strawberry jam swirls through rich, creamy peanut butter dough like a classic comfort symphony.

Soft centers contrast with perfectly golden edges, creating an irresistible texture.

Memories of school lunches and after-school snacks come flooding back with each tender morsel.

Simple ingredients blend magic into these classic cookies that feel both familiar and exciting.

Why Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookies Are a Classic Treat

Craft Homemade Comfort: Delight in creating classic peanut butter and jelly cookies that bring back nostalgic childhood memories with every bite.
Master Simple Baking: Enjoy an approachable recipe that requires minimal baking skills, perfect for both novice and experienced home bakers looking to create something special.
Customize with Creativity: Experiment with different jam flavors, add chopped peanuts, or drizzle melted peanut butter to make these cookies uniquely yours and keep things exciting in the kitchen.
Freeze-Friendly Treat: Prepare the dough in advance and store it in the freezer, allowing you to have fresh, warm cookies ready at a moment’s notice whenever a sweet craving hits.

Ingredients for Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookies

Wet Ingredients:

Butter: A creamy foundation that provides richness and helps create a tender cookie texture.
Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Sweet components that contribute to the cookie’s flavor and help with caramelization.
Peanut Butter: The star ingredient that gives these cookies their signature nutty flavor and smooth consistency.
Egg: Binds the ingredients together and adds structure to the cookie.
Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor profile with its warm, sweet notes.

Dry Ingredients:

All-Purpose Flour: The primary structure-building ingredient that gives the cookies their shape and texture.
Baking Soda: A leavening agent that helps the cookies rise and become light.
Kosher Salt: Balances the sweetness and brings out the deeper flavors in the cookie.

Topping Ingredients:

Seedless Jam: Provides a sweet, fruity center that complements the peanut butter flavor.
Chopped Peanuts: Optional garnish that adds extra crunch and nutty flavor to the finished cookies.

How to Make Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookies

Prepare the Oven

Heat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.

Cream the Butter

In a mixing bowl, cream the butter until smooth and silky. Scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure even mixing.

Add Sugars

Mix in the granulated and brown sugars. Blend until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, with no butter lumps remaining.

Incorporate Peanut Butter

Add peanut butter to the sugar mixture. Stir until completely combined and uniform in texture.

Mix Wet Ingredients

Combine the egg and vanilla extract. Blend thoroughly into the peanut butter mixture until fully incorporated.

Prepare Dry Ingredients

Gather the dry ingredients:

All-purpose flour
Baking soda
Kosher salt

Lightly mix these ingredients together before adding to the wet mixture.

Create Cookie Dough

Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture.

Mix until just combined, being careful not to overmix. The dough should be slightly rough with some flour still visible.

Scrape the bowl’s sides and bottom to ensure even mixing.

Shape Cookie Balls

Roll the dough into balls, each about 1.5 inches in diameter.

Flatten Cookies

Place dough balls on prepared baking sheets.

Dip a fork in sugar or flour to prevent sticking, then press a criss-cross pattern onto each cookie. Flatten to about 1/2 inch thickness.

Add Jam Filling

Smooth out the seedless jam to remove any lumps. Carefully place up to 1 teaspoon of jam in the center of each cookie, keeping it away from the edges.

Bake the Cookies

Bake in the preheated oven for 13-15 minutes. Look for slight browning around the edges as a sign of doneness.

Cool and Rest

Let the cookies sit on the baking sheets for 5-10 minutes. This helps them set and become more stable.

Transfer and Cool Completely

Move the cookies to a cooling rack. Allow them to cool completely.

Optional Decoration

For an extra touch, consider topping with:

Additional jam
Melted peanut butter
Chopped peanuts

Store and Enjoy

This recipe makes about 28 cookies. Store in an airtight container for up to three days.

Freezing Option

The cookie dough freezes beautifully. Shape and flatten the cookies before freezing.

You can add jam before freezing, but do a quick initial freeze on a baking sheet first. Transfer to a freezer bag for long-term storage.

Tips for Soft and Flavorful PB&J Cookies

Swap creamy peanut butter with crunchy varieties for added texture and nutty crunch in every bite.
Reduce sugar content by using natural peanut butter or substituting with alternative sweeteners for health-conscious bakers.
Try different jam flavors like raspberry, strawberry, or apricot to create unique taste combinations.
Ensure consistent cookie size by using a cookie scoop or tablespoon for uniform baking and professional-looking results.
Prevent jam from burning by placing it in the center of each cookie and avoiding contact with baking sheet edges.

Variations of Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookies

Gluten-Free PB&J Cookies: Replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend like almond or coconut flour for those with wheat sensitivities.
Almond Butter Alternative: Swap peanut butter with almond butter for a different nutty flavor profile and potential allergy-friendly option.
Low-Sugar Version: Use sugar substitutes like stevia or monk fruit sweetener to reduce overall sugar content while maintaining cookie texture.
Vegan Cookie Adaptation: Replace butter with coconut oil, use a flax egg instead of regular egg, and select a plant-based jam for completely vegan cookies.

Pairing Suggestions for PB&J Cookies

Cold, fresh whole milk perfectly complements the rich peanut butter and sweet jam flavors, creating a classic nostalgic childhood-inspired drinking experience.
Robust medium-roast coffee provides a bold contrast to the cookie’s sweetness, cutting through the richness while highlighting the nutty undertones.
Smooth, creamy vanilla milkshake amplifies the cookie’s dessert-like qualities, offering a decadent and indulgent pairing that intensifies the overall taste profile.
Light chamomile or Earl Grey tea offers a delicate balance, softening the cookie’s intensity and providing a gentle, soothing accompaniment.

Storage Advice for Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookies

Store cookies in an airtight container with wax paper between layers. Keep refrigerated for up to 5 days to maintain freshness and prevent moisture buildup.
Wrap individual cookies in plastic wrap, place in freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving.
Shape dough balls, place on baking sheet, freeze until solid. Transfer frozen dough to sealed freezer bag. Store up to 2 months. Bake directly from frozen state, adding 2-3 minutes to original baking time.
Keep in sealed container away from direct sunlight and heat. Consume within 3 days for best taste and texture. Place parchment paper between cookie layers to prevent sticking.

FAQs

FAQ

Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of smooth?

Yes, crunchy peanut butter works great and adds extra texture to the cookies. Just ensure it’s well-mixed before adding to the dough.

FAQ

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

Make a small indentation in the cookie center before adding jam, and use less than a teaspoon to keep it centered. Cold jam also helps prevent spreading.

FAQ

Is it necessary to use a mixer for this recipe?

While a mixer makes the process easier, you can mix the ingredients by hand using a wooden spoon or spatula. Just ensure ingredients are thoroughly combined without overmixing.

FAQ

Can I substitute brown sugar with white sugar?

You can use all white sugar, but brown sugar adds moisture and a deeper flavor to the cookies. If substituting, the texture might be slightly different.

Nate Harper

Founder & Recipe Curator

Expertise

Single-Recipe Development, Farm-to-Table Cooking, Seasonal Menu Planning, Culinary Storytelling, Home Kitchen Innovation

Education

Cascade Culinary Institute – Central Oregon Community College
Certificate in Culinary Arts

Focus: Farm-to-table cuisine, sustainable cooking practices, and seasonal recipe creation.

Nate studied under experienced chefs who emphasized local sourcing, minimal waste, and building recipes from fresh, simple ingredients.

Nate Harper is the founder and creative force behind Make, Take, Bake. Raised in the wild beauty of Oregon’s high desert, Nate grew up surrounded by family gardens, farmers’ markets, and home kitchens that celebrated the seasons.
His early love for simple, honest food evolved into a professional passion when he attended Cascade Culinary Institute, where he sharpened his skills in creating recipes that are sustainable, satisfying, and made for everyday life.
Nate’s goal is to make cooking feel accessible, free of fuss, and full of flavor. He believes a single, thoughtfully built dish can stand alone, and sometimes even steal the show.

Sweet & Nostalgic Peanut Butter And Jelly Cookies Recipe