Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich Cookies
Hello! I’ve been busy the last week- traveling around on the West coast and now back to Eastern time still having a hard time adjusting. I must be the worst person on the planet when it comes to time changes- it always takes me days to feel normal again. Plus- I started my baby registry the other day and I have been a bit obsessed. It’s really pretty incredibly fun but also stressful and confusing. I want the least amount of “stuff” as possible as we live in an apartment and I hate clutter. I’m trying to stick to the bare bones of baby things whenever I can. If you have any “must have” or “waste of space and money” suggestions please pass them on!
Anyway- it seems like the energy in the world shifts this time of year as the kiddos go back to school and we gear up for fall. I remember being so incredibly excited for my first day of school. I loved the school supplies, running to see my class list, and organizing my schedule. I seriously miss that feeling of excitement knowing that a new start was coming. (And I always had at least two first day of school outfits planned!)
For some reason, PB&J always gets me thinking of school starting. Maybe because it’s what I had in my lunch most days, or maybe it’s just the iconic flavor combo that makes me a bit nostalgic. Either way- I thought these would be the perfect back to school treat- two crisp and chewy peanut butter cookies with creamy peanut butter filling and a dollop of grape jelly. (I found some organic stuff at Trader Joes that is SO good and not full of artificial flavoring. Otherwise I would have used strawberry jam.)
To start- the peanut butter cookie recipe used here is my new favorite and really perfect. I’m always looking for that crispy edged, super chewy middle and this is it! I may or may not have eaten a few of them before making myself stop so I had some to fill with PB&J. The filling is the perfect touch of creamy peanut butter and fruity jelly that tastes like a little bit of childhood. I think I would be just about died if I found one of these in my lunch box instead of a sandwich!
Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cups 6.25 oz unbleached all-purpose flour
- 1/4 tsp. baking soda
- 1/4 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 stick unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
For filling:
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons cream or milk
- 1/3 cup jelly or jam
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350F. Line a baking sheet with parchment or a silpat- set aside.
- Whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt together and set aside.
- In a large bowl with an electric mixer, cream the butter and peanut butter together until smooth. Add the sugar and mix on medium-high speed until well combined- scraping the bowl as necessary. Add the egg and vanilla and mix well.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the peanut butter mixer.
- Use a small scoop or a roll dough into 1 inch balls. (If you are rolling not scooping you may need to chill the dough slightly.)
- Bake for 10-12 minutes- the cookies won't look fully baked- (the edges should be golden.) Cool on cookie sheetings until set and then transfer to a cooling rack.
For Filling:
- In a medium sized mixing bowl, beat together the butter and peanut butter. Add the powdered sugar and mix until dry and crumbly. Add one tablespoon of cream at a time. Mixture with be thick- but add another tablespoon of cream if needed.
- Pipe onto one side of the cookie pairings and top with a little dollop of jelly in the middle. Smoosh the top cookie onto the filled side and push the filling to the edges.
Notes
Cookie recipe adapted from Baking Illustrated
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 1 Serving Size: 1 gramsAmount Per Serving: Unsaturated Fat: 0g
I could eat a whole batch of these myself! So classic, so delicious!
This is THE cookie I need right now! LOVE.
I need these cookies in my life right now. Going to try to make them this weekend!
I haven’t had my baby yet (two weeks away!) but when I was making my registry, there were a few suggestions that I got over and over again: Aden + Anais swaddle blankets, a decent swing (I got the MamaRoo by 4Moms), and a good stroller (especially since, like you, I live in the city. I ended up with the Britax B-Safe travel system). Everyone also told me that bottle and wipe warmers are a waste of money and space, so I avoided those :-) Be warned that people may get you tons of clothes for your shower, even if you don’t include them on your registry! Hope that helps!
I registered for the Britax B-Safe system!! It seemed the perfect mix of sturdy and lightweight. Plus it came in a pretty plum color so I was sold :) I also have some A&A swaddles on there! I am skipping a swing for now thinking I’ll try some out with baby and get the one they like. I’ve had too many friends buy them and then never actually use them. Hopefully that’s a good plan! :)
What a gorgeous way to display the most popular flavor combo ever!
So I have two little boys and I will say with out a doubt the most important thing for both my boys was a good swing! We had the fisher price little lamb one that could swing both directions and each of my boys liked having it swing differently. Also make sure you have a diaper bag you really like. I went through three before finding the perfect size one because I am a minimalist but even with only the basics there is still a lot of stuff. I love skip hop brand diaper bags and they look more like a fashion purse :)
I’m a tutor. I’ve got school things gearing up again. I think I need a batch of these mailed to me post haste. ;-)
It’s been a while since I had a baby, but 2 things I were must haves (in addition to the basics such as a really good car seat that’s properly installed and a good stroller and a diaper gennie) were a swing and a breast pump. Both of these things gave me much needed “freedom” in those first few months where I felt my entire life was baby, baby and more baby.
(Everyone’s different, and I admire those who can spend 24/7 hands on with their child, but it wasn’t me.)
I SO love going back to school! I love buying new supplies, meeting again my classmates and, as you did, I always have at least two outfits planned for my first day of school…yes, it’s that important! These cookies would make that day even more special! Thanks for sharing :)
xo, Elisa
These sound amazing! I can’t remember the last time I had a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, but I would definitely try these!
These look wonderful. I love that creamy peanut butter filling.
These cookies sound so fun! You can’t go wrong with PB&J combo when school starts!
gah! I just love the oozing jelly.
I am a huge PB&J fan, I eat it like every other day, so these are right up my alley!! Plus I am in love with sandwich cookies so this is a win win for me!
I love the sound of these cookies, Audra!
And yay for registries! I’m so happy for you guys!
Feedly has been doing odd things to me. It’s not giving me your post updates lately! Thankfully I cam over today to see these.
Oh shoot! I will look into that- thanks for letting me know Erin!!
I don’t think it’s a problem on your end. It has unsubscribed me from other blogs in the past. I don’t know why but it’s not cool!
Oh do these look yummy!!!!! When my kids were little they loved when I made them grilled peanut butter and jelly sandwiches sprinkled with powdered sugar.
Love these! Trader Joe’s grape jelly is the very best. It’s definitely my pick for a PB&J.
These look crazy good. I’ve been cravign PB lately.
How are you doing? How’s that beautiful belly of yours? xo
Hey Lady!
I’m feeling absolutely great! Tons of energy, eating everything again and just starting to really show. I’ll post belly pick sometime in the next week! :)
Great! Can’t wait to see you. xo
Oh my goodness, these little cookies sound so good!! I want them in the worse way right now. My 3 year old has a severe peanut allergy but I’m going to try making these with one of our substitutes. I have to have them!
These are amazing!!!! Totally perfect back-to-school snackey!!! My boys go back Monday and this year we have graduated to “Ham with Lettuce on Whole Wheat” instead of PB & J– I think I’ll make these so they can have an ironic little treat!
These sound scrumptious!!! Looking forward to trying them.
As far as baby stuff…..I decided to not get a stroller at all and carry my little munchkin instead. He is now 6 months old and I have not needed a stroller yet. Both of us LOVE the wraps I have (one was a commercial product & I made 2 more). My best advice would be to wait on most everything, no baby comes out ready to need a lot other than you, food and a pile of diapers! Once your baby gets a bit older you will figure out what you need. Good luck and enjoy your little one!!
I LOVE how you use grape jelly in these! Most people use strawberry jelly. And yes, I know I can always switch out the flavor of jelly, but still it is very comforting to know there are PB&J recipes out there with grape jelly, since it is my favorite type of jelly!
Just made pb cookies the other day, this recipe looks better! My babies are teens now but I couldn’t have lived without the intercom, pacifiers, a baby record bk (for baby’s firsts), a rocking chair or glider, cd’s of soft relaxing music, (George Winston). Love your last baby tummy photo!
Remember Trapper Keepers? Oh how I loved picking out my new Trapper Keeper for the year. And what I would have done for some of these cookies back in the day . . . .and now!
I’d been wanting to bake a PB&J confection for years (years!) and had never gotten around to it….until I saw this post! These were AWESOME, I highly recommend!
These look so cute and sound like they taste awesome. I’d love to try them. I had a pb&j for lunch twice last week, and I was nowhere near a school.
Oh my god, back to school was my absolute favorite! New folders, notebooks, pencils, glue sticks and pens?? Sign me up!! I was walking down the street the other day and smelled “back to school” (don’t ask me to explain, it just was…) and it made me sooo nostalgic.
But the cookies-back on track, sorry, the cookies sound so awesome! Do you think they’d be good with peanut butter, honey and a slice of banana? That was always my favorite version of PB&J.
Yes I think that would be delicious- I love Peanut Butter, Honey & Banana too!!
Some blogger links
http://www.julieblanner.com/2013/06/my-must-have-baby-registry-items.html
http://www.younghouselove.com/2010/09/save-it-the-baby-edition/
I don’t think I will ever get tired of a good old PB&J. These cookies sound DELICIOUS!
My baby girl is 7.5 months now and I live in QLD, Australia, so some of the brands may be different. My fav baby products have been:
– Sturdy change table (changing that many nappies breaks your back if you don’t have somewhere to do it)
– Baby Bjorn Carrier – very good on your back and SO much easier than a pram about town
– A nappy bag your hubby won’t mind holding either!
– A good quality pram, with a tight turning circle, good off the foot path and folds up easily for the car boot
– Angelcare Movement Monitor – so good if you’re a paranoid and worried first timer!
All the best xo
These looks so delightful :) I love a classic pb&j recipe!!
These look incredibly delicious!