If you love peanut butter and crave a little sweet indulgence, this Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies Recipe is absolutely going to brighten your day. These cookies capture the perfect balance of soft, chewy texture and rich, creamy peanut butter flavor in each delightful bite. Sandwiching these beauties with a luscious peanut butter filling creates a treat that feels homemade yet special enough to share with friends and family. Trust me, once you try this recipe, these cookies will become your go-to comfort dessert for any occasion.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You don’t need a long list of fancy ingredients to make incredible Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies. Each one is simple but plays a crucial role in delivering the classic taste, moist texture, and irresistible aroma we all love.
- All-purpose flour (1 ½ cups): Provides structure and just the right amount of chewiness to the cookies.
- Baking soda (½ teaspoon): Helps the cookies rise slightly without losing their dense peanut buttery character.
- Salt (¼ teaspoon): Enhances flavor and balances the sweetness perfectly.
- Unsalted butter, softened (¾ cup + 2 tablespoons): Adds richness and a tender crumb to the dough and the filling.
- Creamy peanut butter (1 cup + ¾ cup): The star ingredient giving these cookies their truly nutty and indulgent flavor.
- Granulated sugar (½ cup): Adds sweetness and a slight crunch as it caramelizes during baking.
- Brown sugar, packed (½ cup): Brings moisture and a subtle hint of molasses for depth.
- Large egg (1): Binds everything together and adds moisture.
- Vanilla extract (2 teaspoons total): Infuses a warm, aromatic undertone throughout the cookies and filling.
- Powdered sugar (1 ½ cups): Creates the perfectly smooth and sweet peanut butter filling.
How to Make Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Baking Sheets
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining two baking sheets with parchment paper. This simple prep helps ensure your cookies won’t stick and bake evenly, giving you a smooth, golden finish.
Step 2: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Mixing these dry ingredients ahead ensures they distribute evenly throughout the dough, preventing clumps and giving your cookies the perfect rise and texture.
Step 3: Cream Butter, Peanut Butter, and Sugars
In a large bowl, beat together the softened butter, creamy peanut butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until smooth and creamy. This mixture is where the magic begins, as beating it well traps air, helping create a soft yet chewy cookie base.
Step 4: Incorporate Egg and Vanilla
Add the egg and vanilla extract, beating until fully combined. These ingredients bring moisture and a burst of flavor that enhances the natural richness of the peanut butter.
Step 5: Mix Dry Ingredients into Wet
Gradually add your dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until combined. Over-mixing here can toughen the dough, so keep it gentle to maintain tender cookies.
Step 6: Form Your Cookies
Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll them into balls. Place them on your prepared baking sheets about 2 inches apart to give them room to spread without merging.
Step 7: Create the Classic Criss-Cross Pattern
Flatten each cookie slightly with a fork, making that iconic criss-cross pattern on top. This not only adds charm but also helps the cookies bake more evenly.
Step 8: Bake Until Golden
Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until golden brown around the edges. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This cooling step is crucial to set their texture perfectly.
Step 9: Prepare the Creamy Filling
While the cookies cool, beat together the creamy peanut butter, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and softened butter until smooth. This luscious filling is the heart of the sandwich cookie, creamy and sweet but with that unmistakable peanut butter punch.
Step 10: Assemble Your Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies Recipe
Spread a generous layer of filling on the flat side of one cookie, then gently sandwich with another cookie on top. This step is where your peanut butter dreams come true, creating a perfect bite of soft cookie and dreamy filling.
Step 11: Store Properly
Once assembled, store your cookies in an airtight container at room temperature to keep them fresh and scrumptious for several days.
How to Serve Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
For an extra touch, sprinkle a light dusting of powdered sugar or add a few crushed peanuts on top of the filling before sandwiching. This adds a little crunch and makes your cookies look bakery-worthy.
Side Dishes
Serve these cookies alongside a cold glass of milk, hot coffee, or even a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an indulgent dessert experience. The creaminess of these drinks and desserts complements the rich peanut butter perfectly.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties or gifts, arrange the sandwiches on a pretty plate lined with parchment and tie each with a colorful ribbon. You can also dip half of each cookie sandwich in melted chocolate and let it set for a decadent twist that will wow your guests.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Place any leftover sandwich cookies in an airtight container, layering parchment paper between them if stacking. Stored this way, they stay fresh and delicious at room temperature for up to 5 days, perfect for enjoying throughout the week.
Freezing
If you want to prepare these peanut butter sandwiches ahead of time, they freeze beautifully. Wrap each sandwich individually in plastic wrap, then store in a freezer-safe container or bag for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge before serving.
Reheating
To enjoy these cookies warm, briefly microwave a sandwich for 10-15 seconds or toast them lightly in a low oven for 3-5 minutes. Warming makes the peanut butter filling ooze slightly, turning every bite irresistibly gooey.
FAQs
Can I use chunky peanut butter instead of creamy?
Absolutely! Chunky peanut butter adds a delightful texture with little peanut bits, making the cookies even more interesting. Just know it might slightly change the smoothness of the filling.
How long do these sandwich cookies stay fresh?
Stored in an airtight container at room temperature, these cookies remain fresh for about five days. If you need to keep them longer, freezing is a great option.
Can I substitute the butter for margarine or oil?
Butter provides a rich flavor and the right texture here, but if you need to substitute, margarine works better than oil because of its consistency. Keep in mind that the flavor and texture might vary slightly.
Is there a way to make these gluten-free?
Yes! You can try swapping the all-purpose flour for a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour. Make sure the blend contains xanthan gum or add a small amount separately for structure.
Can these cookies be made vegan?
Vegan adaptation is possible by substituting the butter with a plant-based alternative, using a flax egg instead of a chicken egg, and ensuring peanut butter and sugar are vegan-friendly. Though the texture might differ, they’ll still taste amazing!
Final Thoughts
I truly believe this Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies Recipe is a joyful way to celebrate peanut butter in its most comforting, nostalgic form. The tender cookies paired with creamy filling can brighten any day and bring everyone to the kitchen table with smiles. Take a little time to make these treats—you’ll be rewarded with homemade goodness that tastes like a warm hug from the inside out. Happy baking, friend!
Print
Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 12 sandwich cookies (24 cookies total)
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Delight in these classic Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies, featuring soft, buttery peanut butter cookies filled with a smooth and sweet peanut butter frosting. Perfectly baked to golden edges and sandwiched with a creamy filling, they make a delicious treat for any occasion.
Ingredients
Cookies
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Filling
- ¾ cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Set this aside for later incorporation.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter, creamy peanut butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together until the mixture is smooth and creamy, incorporating air for a light texture.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Add the egg and vanilla extract to the wet mixture, beating thoroughly until fully combined and smooth.
- Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the dry flour mixture into the wet mixture, stirring just until combined to avoid overmixing which can toughen cookies.
- Form Cookie Dough Balls: Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of the dough and roll them into balls. Place them on the prepared baking sheets spaced about 2 inches apart to allow spreading.
- Flatten and Pattern: Slightly flatten each ball with a fork, creating a classic criss-cross pattern on top for texture and appearance.
- Bake Cookies: Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes, until they turn golden around the edges. Remove and let them cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes.
- Cool Completely: Transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely before adding filling to prevent melting and sliding.
- Prepare Filling: In a bowl, beat together creamy peanut butter, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and softened butter until the filling is smooth and spreadable.
- Assemble Sandwich Cookies: Spread the peanut butter filling onto the flat side of one cookie, then top it with another cookie to create a sandwich.
- Storage: Store the assembled sandwich cookies in an airtight container at room temperature to maintain freshness and texture.
Notes
- Ensure butter and peanut butter are softened to room temperature for smooth mixing.
- Do not overmix the dough when adding dry ingredients to keep cookies tender.
- Allow cookies to cool completely before filling to prevent filling from melting.
- For a crunchier texture, consider chilling the dough before baking.
- Cookies can be stored in an airtight container for up to one week.
