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Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookies Recipe

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4.5 from 313 reviews

These Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookies combine classic flavors into a soft, chewy treat topped with a dollop of seedless jam. With a perfect balance of sweet peanut butter dough and fruity jam centers, these cookies are deliciously nostalgic and easy to make.

Ingredients

Scale

Cookie Dough

  • 1/2 cup butter (1 stick)
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1 cup creamy peanut butter (Jif preferred, crunchy optional)
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 & 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

Topping and Garnishes

  • 1/2 cup seedless jam
  • Additional jam for topping baked cookies (optional)
  • Melted peanut butter, for drizzling (optional)
  • Chopped peanuts, for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats to prevent sticking.
  2. Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl or stand mixer, beat 1/2 cup butter until smooth and creamy, scraping the sides as needed. Add 3/4 cup granulated sugar and 1/4 cup packed brown sugar, then beat until fluffy and combined with no chunks of butter remaining.
  3. Add Peanut Butter: Mix in 1 cup creamy peanut butter thoroughly until well combined with the butter-sugar mixture for a smooth creamy base.
  4. Add Egg and Vanilla: Incorporate 1 large egg and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, beating until fully blended into the dough.
  5. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl or on top of the flour in the mixer bowl, stir 1 and 1/2 cups flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, and 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt together to combine the dry ingredients evenly.
  6. Mix Dry Ingredients into Dough: Gradually add the dry mixture into the wet ingredients in the mixer and combine just until the dough starts to come together. Avoid overmixing to prevent tough cookies; scrape the bowl and mix until no flour streaks are visible.
  7. Shape Cookies: Roll the dough into 1 and 1/2-inch balls using a cookie scoop or hands. Place them spaced about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
  8. Flatten and Shape Cookie Tops: Dip a fork into sugar or flour to prevent sticking and press the cookie dough balls down to about 1/2 inch thickness, making a crisscross pattern. Re-dip the fork to keep it from sticking throughout.
  9. Add Jam Centers: Stir the 1/2 cup seedless jam to smooth out lumps. Use a teaspoon to carefully place about 1 teaspoon of jam in the center of each cookie, making sure it doesn’t spread over edges or the baking sheet.
  10. Bake Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 13-15 minutes. Cookies are done when the edges are set and just slightly browned. Avoid underbaking to keep the jam moist and the cookie texture delicate.
  11. Cool and Garnish: Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5-10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Optionally, add more jam, drizzle with melted peanut butter, and sprinkle with chopped peanuts for decoration and extra flavor.
  12. Storage and Freezing: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. The dough freezes well; shape and press with a fork before freezing on a sheet, then transfer to a ziplock. Bake from frozen, adding 1-3 minutes to baking time.

Notes

  • Use creamy peanut butter for the best texture, but crunchy works if preferred.
  • Flattening the cookies with a fork after shaping is essential to achieve the right thickness and jam well.
  • Be careful to keep the jam centered so it doesn’t run off and become gummy on the baking sheet.
  • Do not underbake; these cookies need the edges set to hold their shape because of the moist jam topping.
  • The dough can be frozen both before or after adding jam (flash freeze if freezing with jam before storing).
  • For an extra special touch, drizzle with melted peanut butter and sprinkle chopped peanuts after baking.

Keywords: Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookies, PB&J cookies, peanut butter cookies with jam, classic American cookies, homemade cookies

Find it online: https://bakedbylisa.com/peanut-butter-and-jelly-cookies-recipe/