Ever since I was a kid, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches were my go-to lunch—but turning that classic combo into cookies? Pure genius! These peanut butter and jelly cookies bring all that nostalgic flavor into bite-sized treats with a soft, chewy center and a sweet jam surprise. They disappeared so fast at my last family gathering that I had to hide a few just for myself!
What makes these cookies special is how simple they are—just basic pantry ingredients whipped together in minutes. The dough bakes up tender around a dollop of jam, and that drizzle of melted peanut butter on top? Trust me, it’s the finishing touch that makes everyone reach for seconds (or thirds). Whether you’re baking for kids or just craving a little childhood nostalgia, these cookies never disappoint.
Why You'll Love These Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookies
These cookies aren't just delicious—they're practically magic. Here's why:
- Ready in under 30 minutes - From mixing bowl to cooling rack faster than you can make a PB&J sandwich
- That perfect soft bite - Tender centers hugging sweet jam, with just enough crisp at the edges
- Instant nostalgia - One bite and you're right back at your childhood lunch table
- Endless variations - Swap different jams or drizzle with chocolate instead of peanut butter
The best part? No fancy techniques required—just pure, simple baking joy that makes everyone smile.
Ingredients for Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookies
Grab these simple pantry staples—I bet you have most already! The magic happens with:
- ½ cup butter (1 stick) - Softened to room temperature (leave it out for 30 minutes)
- ¾ cup granulated sugar + ¼ cup brown sugar - Pack that brown sugar firmly into your measuring cup
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter - The regular kind, not natural (trust me, texture matters here)
- 1 large egg - Crack it right into the mixing bowl—no prep needed
- 1 teaspoon vanilla - My secret flavor booster
- 1 ½ cups flour - Spoon it lightly into the cup, then level off
- 1 teaspoon baking soda + ¼ teaspoon kosher salt - They team up for perfect rise and balance
- ½ cup seedless jam - Any flavor you love (I'm partial to grape or strawberry)
Ingredient Notes & Substitutions
Baking should be fun, not fussy! Here's how to adapt:
- Peanut butter: Crunchy works if you like texture (reduce jam slightly so fillings don't fight)
- Jam: Raspberry, apricot—even orange marmalade adds a fun twist! Just avoid chunky styles
- Butter: In a pinch, margarine works but may spread more
- Toppings: Skip chopped peanuts if allergies are a concern, or swap with mini chocolate chips
Equipment You'll Need
No fancy gadgets required—just standard kitchen tools! Here’s what you’ll grab:
- Large mixing bowl
- Hand mixer or sturdy wooden spoon
- Baking sheet (lined with parchment for easy cleanup)
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Small spoon for jam filling
That’s it—now let’s make some cookie magic!
How to Make Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookies
Baking these cookies is like reliving the best parts of childhood—only tastier! Follow these simple steps, and you'll be nibbling warm, jam-filled goodness before you know it.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) - This gives your cookies that perfect golden edge while keeping centers soft.
- Cream the butter and sugars - Beat them together for 2 minutes until fluffy and pale. (This is where the magic texture starts!)
- Mix in peanut butter, egg, and vanilla - Scrape the bowl well—you want every bit incorporated.
- Whisk dry ingredients separately - This ensures the baking soda and salt distribute evenly for consistent rise.
- Combine wet and dry mixtures - Stir just until no flour streaks remain. The dough will be thick and slightly sticky.
- Roll tablespoon-sized balls - I use a small cookie scoop for speed, but your hands work great too.
- Press thumbprints - Make deep wells (they'll puff up slightly during baking) and fill with ½ teaspoon jam per cookie.
- Bake 10-12 minutes - They're done when edges turn golden but centers still look slightly underdone.
- Cool completely - Resist nibbling! Letting them set prevents jam spills when adding toppings.
- Drizzle and decorate - Warm peanut butter drizzles beautifully, and chopped peanuts add crunch.
Tips for Perfect Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookies
After dozens of test batches (tough job, I know!), here are my foolproof tricks:
- Room temp butter creams better - Too soft? Chill the dough 10 minutes before rolling
- Don't overfill jam wells - About ½ teaspoon keeps it from bubbling over
- Bake one test cookie first - Ovens vary! Adjust time if needed
- Freeze extra dough balls - Pop unbaked cookies in a bag for instant treats later
Now go enjoy that first bite—the jam should still be slightly warm!
Serving and Storing Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookies
These cookies taste best warm, when the jam's still a little gooey—just pop them in the microwave for 5 seconds if they've cooled! For parties, I drizzle extra peanut butter right before serving so it looks glossy. Store leftovers (if you have any!) in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. They never last that long in my house though!
Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookies Variations
Oh, the fun you can have with these cookies! My kids love when we shake things up—here are our favorite twists:
- Chocolate lovers: Swap half the peanut butter for Nutella and use raspberry jam
- Crunch time: Mix ¼ cup crushed potato chips into the dough (sounds weird, tastes amazing!)
- Almond joy: Use almond butter instead of peanut butter with apricot preserves
- Double berry: Fold in freeze-dried strawberry pieces for little bursts of tartness
The best part? Every batch becomes a new adventure!
Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookies Nutrition
Each cookie packs about 150 calories—mostly from that dreamy peanut butter and jam combo! Nutrition varies slightly based on your specific ingredients and brands, but hey, some indulgences are totally worth it. Enjoy every bite!
Frequently Asked Questions
Over years of baking these cookies for everyone from picky kids to fancy bake sales, I've heard it all! Here are the questions that come up most often—along with my tried-and-true answers.
Q1. Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy?
Absolutely! Just know the texture will be different—you'll get little peanut bits in every bite. I recommend reducing the jam slightly (to about 1 teaspoon per cookie) so the fillings don't compete for attention.
Q2. Why did my jam bubble over in the oven?
This usually means either the wells weren't deep enough or you added too much jam. Next time, press your thumbprint deeper (almost to the baking sheet!) and use just ½ teaspoon of jam per cookie. They'll puff up beautifully without the mess.
Q3. Can I make these gluten-free?
Yes! Swap the all-purpose flour for your favorite 1:1 gluten-free blend. The cookies might spread a tad more, but they'll still taste amazing. Just be sure to check that your peanut butter and other ingredients are GF too.
Q4. How do I freeze peanut butter and jelly cookies?
Two ways: freeze baked cookies in a single layer before transferring to bags (they'll keep 3 months), or freeze unbaked dough balls to bake straight from frozen—just add 1-2 minutes to the baking time. No thawing needed!
Q5. Can I use homemade jam?
Oh my goodness, yes—but stick to smooth, seedless varieties. Chunky homemade jam might make the cookies too wet. If your jam is very loose, simmer it for 5 minutes to thicken before using. The flavor will be incredible!
Irresistible Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookies You’ll Devour
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Classic peanut butter and jelly cookies with a soft texture and sweet jam filling.
Ingredients
- ½ cup butter (1 stick)
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 ½ cups flour, spooned and leveled
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ cup seedless jam
- More jam, to top baked cookies
- Melted peanut butter, to garnish
- Chopped peanuts, to garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Cream butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until smooth.
- Add peanut butter, egg, and vanilla. Mix well.
- In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, and salt.
- Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients. Mix until combined.
- Roll dough into balls and place on a baking sheet.
- Press a thumbprint into each cookie and fill with jam.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes or until edges are lightly golden.
- Let cool, then drizzle with melted peanut butter and sprinkle with chopped peanuts.
Notes
- Use smooth peanut butter for best texture.
- Let cookies cool before adding toppings.
- Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Keywords: peanut butter cookies, jelly cookies, easy cookies, dessert
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