Name: Peanut Butter Jelly Cookies
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 27 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour.; 1/2 teaspoon each baking powder, baking soda.; 1/4 teaspoon salt.; 1/2 cup butter, softened.; 1/2 cup each white and brown sugar.; 1 cup creamy peanut butter.; 1 large egg, room temp.; 2 teaspoons vanilla.; 1/4 cup sugar for rolling.; 1 cup strawberry jam.; 1/4 cup each melted peanut butter and chopped peanuts for topping.

A close-up of a peanut butter cookie topped with jelly and drizzles of peanut butter. | kitchenscroll.com

I discovered these Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookies during one of my late-night baking adventures. While missing my mom's classic PB&J sandwiches, I wondered how to capture those beloved flavors in cookie form. After countless test batches in my kitchen, these beauties were born - soft, chewy, and filled with childhood memories.

Pure Cookie Joy

Every time I make these, my kitchen fills with the most incredible smell of warm peanut butter and sweet jam. That moment when they come out of the oven, golden around the edges with their jammy centers perfectly set, makes my heart happy. The best part? They're so simple to make with ingredients you probably already have.

What You'll Need

All-Purpose Flour: The foundation of our cookie magic.
Peanut Butter: I always reach for the creamy kind.
Both Sugars: Brown for chewiness, white for sparkle.
Your Favorite Jam: Strawberry's my go-to but use what you love.
Fresh Egg: Let it come to room temp for best results.
Leaveners: Our secret to perfect cookie texture.

A collection of baking ingredients arranged in bowls, including various types of flour, sugar, butter, eggs, and jams on a neutral surface. | kitchenscroll.com

Making It Your Own

Sometimes I swap in almond butter when friends visit who can't have peanuts. Gluten-free? No problem - your favorite cup-for-cup flour works beautifully here. The jam choice is totally up to you. My kids love grape but I'm partial to raspberry.

Let's Make Magic

Start by mixing those dry ingredients - they're the backbone of great cookies. Then cream your butter and sugars until they're light and fluffy. This step is so important for that perfect texture we're after. When you add the peanut butter, watch how it all comes together into the most gorgeous dough.

Time to Shape

Rolling these little beauties in sugar before baking gives them such a lovely sparkle. I use my thumb to make perfect little wells for the jam but the back of a measuring spoon works too. Don't rush this part - those jam centers are what make these cookies special.

A series of images showing the process of mixing ingredients, starting with flour in a bowl and progressing to a creamy mixture in a pot with a wooden spoon. | kitchenscroll.com

The Baking Dance

Keep an eye on these while they bake - 14 minutes is usually perfect in my oven. You want those edges just barely golden and tiny cracks starting to form on top. That's when you know they'll have that perfect chewy texture we're after.

Extra Special Version

Want to really wow someone? Try my stuffed version. I freeze little dollops of peanut butter and jam then wrap cookie dough around them. They bake up with the most amazing gooey center you've ever tasted.

Keeping Them Fresh

These beauties stay soft for days in an airtight container. If they last that long - they never do at my house! Sometimes I make a double batch and freeze half the dough for cookie emergencies.

Planning Ahead

The dough actually gets better after a rest in the fridge. I often make it the night before when I'm hosting friends for coffee. There's nothing like fresh-baked cookies to make everyone feel special.

My Best Tips

Don't overwork that dough - tender cookies come from gentle mixing. Let everything come to room temperature before starting. And please use good jam - it really makes a difference in the final flavor.

Fun Twists

Chocolate Lover's Dream: A drizzle of melted chocolate takes these over the top.
Allergy Friendly: Sunbutter makes these school-safe and delicious.
Jam Adventures: Try apricot for something unexpected and wonderful.

Serving Joy

Pour some cold milk or brew fresh coffee - these cookies love company. I've served them at everything from playdate snacks to fancy dinner parties. They just make people happy.

Questions I Get Asked

Crunchy PB? Sure just expect more texture in your cookies.
Best Jam? Seedless works best but use what you love.
Freezing? Dough freezes better than baked cookies but both work.

Cookie Love

These PB&J cookies have become my signature recipe, the one friends always request and family expects at gatherings. They're more than just cookies - they're little bites of joy that bring back the best childhood memories while creating new ones.

A close-up of a peanut butter cookie topped with raspberry jam and drizzled with peanut butter, surrounded by crushed peanuts on a baking sheet. | kitchenscroll.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Why chill the dough?: Chilling for 30-60 minutes helps prevent spreading during baking. Though optional, it gives better shaped cookies.
→ Can I use different jam flavors?: Any smooth jam or jelly works well. Grape, raspberry or strawberry are classic choices that pair nicely with peanut butter.
→ How do I store these cookies?: Keep in airtight container at room temp for 3 days or refrigerate up to a week. They taste great chilled.
→ What's the cookie scoot technique?: Right after baking, use a round cutter to gently push spread edges into a perfect circle while cookies are hot.
→ Can I freeze these cookies?: Freeze baked cookies up to 3 months. Thaw in fridge overnight. Add fresh jam before serving for best results.

Conclusion

A delightful twist on the classic PB&J sandwich, these cookies combine soft peanut butter cookie bases with sweet strawberry jam centers. Topped with a drizzle of melted peanut butter and chopped nuts, they offer a perfect balance of flavors and textures.

Peanut Butter Jelly Cookies