Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookies

Craving a sweet, nostalgic treat that blends the flavors of two classic favorites? Look no further than Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookies! These soft, chewy cookies are the perfect combination of nutty peanut butter, sweet jelly, and crunchy roasted peanuts.

Ideal for a cozy snack or a fun addition to your next bake sale, these cookies bring a unique twist to the traditional PB&J.

With a jam-filled center and a crunchy peanut topping, each bite offers a delightful balance of flavors. If you’re a peanut butter lover or just looking to try something new, these cookies are sure to satisfy your sweet tooth.

Ingredients List

Creating these Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookies involves just a few simple ingredients that come together to create a mouthwatering treat. Here’s everything you need:

Cookie Ingredients

• 1 ¼ cups (6 ¼ oz/177 g) all-purpose flour
• ¾ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (8 oz/225 g) smooth peanut butter
• ½ cup (4 oz/115 g) butter, softened
• ¾ cup (6 oz/170 g) granulated sugar
• ½ cup (3 oz/85 g) dark brown sugar
• 1 large egg, at room temperature
• 1 tablespoon whole milk
• 1 teaspoon Rodelle Tanzania Pure Vanilla Extract
• 2/3 cup (3 ½ oz/94 g) salted and roasted peanuts, chopped
• ½ cup (5 oz/142 g) seedless raspberry jam

Required Kitchen Tools

To make these Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookies, having the right tools on hand will make the baking process smooth and enjoyable. Here are the essentials you’ll need to get started:

1. Hand Whisk or Stand Mixer: A hand whisk will work fine for creaming the peanut butter and butter, but using a stand mixer will make the process faster and easier.
2. Baking Sheets: Use 2 baking sheets lined with parchment paper to prevent the cookies from sticking and ensure even baking.
3. Measuring Cups and Spoons: For accurate measurements of your ingredients, especially the flour, sugars, and peanut butter.
4. Cookie Scoop or Tablespoon: To portion the dough and ensure uniform-sized cookies.
5. Thumb (for creating the divots): You’ll need a thumb to gently press into the center of each cookie to make room for the jam filling.

Having these tools will make your peanut butter and jelly cookie-making experience a breeze.

Cookie Preparation

To achieve perfectly baked Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookies, follow these easy steps. With just a bit of attention to detail, you’ll be able to create a batch of cookies that are soft on the inside with a slight crunch on the outside.

Mixing the Ingredients

Begin by preparing your dry ingredients. In a small bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Whisk these together until well mixed, and then set them aside.

In a separate bowl, use a hand whisk or stand mixer to cream together the peanut butter and softened butter until the mixture is soft and smooth. This should take about 1 minute. Once combined, add the granulated sugar and dark brown sugar, beating until the mixture is light and fluffy, which should take about 2 minutes.

Adding the Wet Ingredients

Next, add the egg, whole milk, and vanilla extract to the mixture. Continue mixing until everything is well incorporated and the batter is smooth.

Combining with Dry Ingredients

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined. Be careful not to overmix. Once combined, gently fold in the chopped salted and roasted peanuts. These peanuts add a wonderful crunch and enhance the peanut flavor of the cookies.

Shaping the Cookies

Shaping your Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookies is a fun and easy step, giving them their signature look and jam-filled center. Follow these steps to ensure your cookies turn out perfectly:

Portioning and Shaping the Dough

1. Scoop the Dough: Using a cookie scoop or a tablespoon, take a heaped tablespoon of dough and roll it into a smooth ball. This will ensure each cookie is uniform in size.
2. Flatten the Dough: Gently flatten each dough ball into a 2-inch (5 cm) disc. You can do this with your fingers or the back of a spoon. Make sure they’re all about the same thickness to ensure even baking.

Creating the Jam Divot

3. Press Your Thumb: Using your thumb, gently press into the center of each disc to create a small divot. Be careful not to press all the way through the dough—just enough to make a little well for the jam.
4. Add the Jam: Spoon ½ teaspoon of seedless raspberry jam into the indentation you’ve made in each cookie. The jam will melt slightly while baking, giving you a delicious gooey center.

Baking the Cookies

5. Arrange the Cookies: Place the shaped and jam-filled cookies about 3 inches (7 ½ cm) apart on your prepared baking sheets. This will give them plenty of room to spread while baking.
6. Bake: Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C) fan-assisted. Bake the cookies for 20-22 minutes, or until they’re set and the edges have just started to brown. The center will remain soft, but the cookies will firm up as they cool.

Adding the Final Touches

While your cookies are still warm from the oven, there’s one more step to elevate them to perfection. Adding a second spoonful of jam is the key to creating that delicious jam-filled center, which gives these cookies their signature taste.

Techniques for Adding Extra Jam

Once the cookies come out of the oven, take a small spoon and add an additional ½ teaspoon of raspberry jam into the center of each cookie. The heat from the freshly baked cookies will gently melt the jam, creating a sweet, gooey filling. Be careful not to overfill, as the jam could spill over the edges.

Cooling and Storage

Allow the cookies to cool completely on the baking sheets. This helps them set and ensures that the jam won’t be too runny when you pick them up.

Once cooled, store the Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. These cookies are soft and a bit sticky, so if you plan to stack them, make sure to place parchment paper between each layer to prevent them from sticking together.

Freezing the Cookies

If you want to keep your cookies for longer, you can freeze them. Place the cooled cookies in a freezer-safe bag or container, separating layers with parchment paper. These cookies will stay fresh in the freezer for up to 1 month. When ready to enjoy, simply thaw them at room temperature or give them a quick reheat in the oven for a few minutes.

Conclusion

These Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookies are a delightful twist on a classic combination. With their soft, chewy texture, crunchy peanut topping, and gooey jam center, they’re a treat that will bring smiles to everyone’s face.

If you’re making them for a special occasion or just for an afternoon snack, these cookies are sure to become a new favorite in your baking repertoire.