Name: Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 8 min
Total time: 23 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1/2 cup granulated sugar, plus more for rolling cookies; 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed; 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter; 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened; 1 egg; 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour; 3/4 tsp baking soda; 1/2 tsp baking powder; 1/4 tsp salt; 3 tbsp creamy peanut butter; 1 cup powdered sugar; 1 tsp vanilla extract; pinch salt; 2 Tbsp milk or cream, plus a little more if needed; 1/2 cup of your favorite jam or jelly (thicker is better)

If you’re craving a twist on a nostalgic classic, this Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookies Recipe is just the ticket. Soft, sandwich-style cookies filled with creamy peanut butter and your favorite jam will take you right back to those sweet childhood afternoons.

There are four small sandwich cookies on a silver cooling rack, each with two cracked golden-brown cookie layers sprinkled with sugar on top. Between each cookie pair is a middle layer of light brown cream and dark red jam, with some jam slightly dripping out. Behind the cookies, a clear glass of white milk is visible. The whole scene is set on a wooden surface with a blurred white marbled textured background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookies Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookies Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookies Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I absolutely adore these cookies because they blend two beloved flavors in a way that’s unexpected but totally comforting. Once you try them, you’ll want to make a batch every week!

Perfect Nostalgia: The classic peanut butter and jelly combo reinvented into a soft, chewy cookie.
Easy to Make: With simple ingredients and quick steps, it’s a fun bake for beginners and pros alike.
Customizable: Use any jam you love – thick jams work best to keep cookies from getting soggy.
Great for Sharing: These make fantastic treats for kids’ lunches, parties, or just an afternoon snack.

Ingredients & Why They Work

When shopping for this recipe, opt for creamy peanut butter with a firm texture so your cookies stay just right. Also, pick a thick jam or jelly since it won’t make the cookies soggy and keeps that luscious filling intact.

Flat lay of a small mound of granulated sugar, a small mound of packed light brown sugar, a neat dollop of creamy peanut butter, a small square of unsalted butter softened, one whole uncracked brown egg, a small pile of all-purpose flour, a small white ceramic bowl with baking soda powder, a small white ceramic bowl with baking powder powder, a small white ceramic bowl with salt, a small white ceramic bowl with powdered sugar, a small white ceramic bowl with golden vanilla extract, a small white ceramic bowl with creamy milk, and a small white ceramic bowl filled with thick red jam, all arranged symmetrically on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Granulated Sugar: For sweetness and a slight crisp edge when cookies are rolled in it.
Light Brown Sugar: Adds moisture and a caramel note that deepens the cookie flavor.
Creamy Peanut Butter: The star ingredient — creamy and firm helps with texture and taste.
Unsalted Butter: Softened for easy mixing, it adds richness and tenderness.
Egg: Binds ingredients and gives the dough structure.
All-Purpose Flour: Provides the sturdy base so cookies hold together well.
Baking Soda: Helps the cookies rise and spread just right.
Baking Powder: Adds an extra lift to keep the cookies soft and puffy.
Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances flavor.
Powdered Sugar: Essential for a smooth, sweet peanut butter filling.
Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and aroma to the filling.
Milk or Cream: Creates the perfect spreading consistency for the filling.
Jam or Jelly: Choose your favorite thick jam — it’s the sweet surprise inside each sandwich.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the best things about this Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookies Recipe is how easy it is to make your own. Whether you prefer a twist on the classic flavors or need to accommodate dietary needs, there are plenty of ways to customize these treats and make them truly your own.

Variation: I love swapping out the traditional peanut butter for almond or cashew butter to give the cookies a nutty twist. The flavor change is subtle but delightful, and it’s a fun way to experiment while still keeping the essence of the sandwich cookie.
Dietary Twist: If you want to make these cookies vegan, try using a plant-based butter and an egg substitute like flaxseed meal mixed with water. Just be sure your jam is also free of gelatin and other animal products.
Seasonal Flair: During berry season, homemade thick blackberry or raspberry jam brightens these cookies wonderfully. It adds freshness and pairs beautifully with the creamy peanut butter filling.
Texture Tip: Use a thicker jam or jelly to avoid soggy cookies. I always keep a thicker preserve on hand specifically for these kinds of sandwich cookies.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookies Recipe

The image shows a baking tray lined with light brown parchment paper, holding eight round cookies arranged in three rows, with three in the back two rows and two in the front row. The cookies are light golden-brown, cracked on top, and have a slightly rough texture with a dusting of sugar that sparkles softly. The tray rests on a grey quilted fabric, and the overall background is a white marbled texture. The photo is close-up and softly focused with warm lighting to highlight the cookie texture, photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Preheat and Prep

Start by preheating your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper—it makes cleanup a breeze and helps your cookies bake evenly without sticking. Setting your kitchen for success right from the start is always a good idea!

Step 2: Cream the Sugars, Peanut Butter, Butter, and Egg

Using a stand mixer or electric beaters, cream together the granulated sugar, light brown sugar, ½ cup creamy peanut butter, softened unsalted butter, and egg. Beat until the mixture feels smooth and looks well combined—that rich, creamy texture is key to soft and tender cookies.

Step 3: Fold in the Dry Ingredients

Add the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt to your wet mixture. Fold gently just until you no longer see streaks of flour. Take care not to overmix here — you want a soft, pliable dough that will bake into perfectly tender cookies.

Step 4: Shape and Sugar-Coat the Dough Balls

Scoop the cookie dough into tablespoon-sized balls—using a cookie scoop helps keep them uniform. Roll each ball in some extra granulated sugar for a little sparkle and crunch on the outside. Arrange them on your lined baking sheet, keeping about 2 inches apart so they have room to spread without sticking together.

Step 5: Bake to Pale, Puffy Perfection

Bake your cookies for 8 minutes. They’ll look pale and a bit puffy when they’re done—not browned or crispy. If your cookies puff up a lot and hold that shape, tap your baking sheet sharply on a firm surface right after taking it out of the oven to gently flatten them. This step ensures an even surface for sandwiching the filling later.

Step 6: Cool Completely Before Assembling

Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes to firm up, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. This step is important! The cookies need to be fully cool so they don’t crumble or melt the filling when you assemble your sandwiches.

Step 7: Prepare the Creamy Peanut Butter Filling

Mix together 3 tablespoons creamy peanut butter, 1 cup powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, a pinch of salt, and 2 tablespoons of milk or cream until smooth and thick enough to spread. If the filling feels too stiff, add a little more milk a teaspoon at a time until you get that perfect creamy texture.

Step 8: Assemble the Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookies

Spread a small dollop of the peanut butter filling on the back of one cookie. Add a small spoonful of your favorite thick jam or jelly right on top. Then gently sandwich another cookie on top, pressing lightly just to secure everything inside without squeezing the filling out. Repeat until all cookies are paired and ready to enjoy!

Top Tip

These tips will elevate your Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookies Recipe, making sure your cookies come out perfectly every time and keeping the classic flavors just right.

Use Firm Peanut Butter: Choosing a firm peanut butter like Jiff helps your cookies hold their shape and texture better—soft peanut butter can make the dough too sticky.
Don’t Skip the Sugar Roll: Rolling the cookie dough balls in granulated sugar before baking adds a wonderful slight crunch and beautiful texture contrast to the soft cookie.
Tap After Baking: If your cookies come out very puffy, gently rap the baking sheet on a firm surface right after removing them from the oven to flatten them evenly without breaking.
Thick Jam Is Key: Using a thick jam or jelly prevents the cookies from becoming soggy and ensures a perfect filling that stays put inside your sandwich cookies.

How to Serve Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookies Recipe

The image shows a close-up of round cookies on a metal cooling rack over a wooden surface, with a white jar blurred in the background. In the foreground, one cookie base is topped with a smooth, light brown creamy layer, rounded with a small peak in the center. Behind it, a sandwich cookie is visible, made of two light brown cracked cookies with a layer of creamy filling and a bright red jam in the middle. Other plain cookies rest on the rack in the background, all with a light brown color and a rough cracked texture. The overall scene is warm and soft-focused, highlighting the textures of the cookies and the cream. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

Serve these cookies with a light dusting of powdered sugar for a touch of elegance or a few crushed peanuts sprinkled on top of the filling for extra crunch and a peanutty kick. You can also add a small dollop of extra jam on the side to amp up the fruity sweetness.

Side Dishes

These Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookies are fantastic with a cold glass of milk or a warm cup of tea or coffee. For a fun party platter, serve them alongside fresh fruit slices, simple vanilla ice cream, or a bowl of mixed nuts to complement the peanut flavor.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store your Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay fresh and soft for up to 3 days—perfect for enjoying throughout the week without losing their charm.

Freezing

You can freeze the unfilled cookie dough balls before baking for up to 3 months. When ready to bake, thaw slightly, roll in sugar again, and bake as usual. For assembled cookies, freeze wrapped tightly for up to 2 weeks and thaw at room temperature before serving.

Reheating

Warm your cookies gently in a microwave for about 10 to 15 seconds if you want that fresh-baked softness back. Avoid overheating to keep the filling stable and the cookies from becoming too soft or crumbly.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use chunky peanut butter instead of creamy?

Absolutely! Chunky peanut butter will add extra texture to both the cookie dough and filling, giving you a delightful crunch in every bite.

What type of jam works best for these cookies?

Choose a thicker, less runny jam or jelly like blackberry, raspberry preserve, or grape jelly to avoid sogginess and keep the filling nicely contained inside the cookies.

How do I prevent my cookies from spreading too much in the oven?

Chilling the cookie dough for about 30 minutes before baking helps the dough firm up, which in turn prevents excessive spreading and keeps your cookies perfectly shaped.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes! Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend that measures 1:1 for flour, making sure it contains xanthan gum or another binder for the best texture.

Final Thoughts

Making this Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookies Recipe brings back all those cozy, joyful childhood memories with a grown-up twist. Whether you’re baking for family, friends, or just as a personal treat, these cookies are sure to warm hearts and satisfy sweet cravings. Happy baking, and enjoy every delicious, nostalgic bite!