Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies Recipe
If you’re a lover of all things peanut butter, these Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies are about to become your new obsession. Imagine two tender, buttery peanut butter cookies hugging a creamy, dreamy peanut butter filling—the ultimate treat for anyone who craves that salty-sweet flavor combo. They’re delightfully nostalgic, but with a homemade touch that puts store-bought cookies to shame. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or just whipping up a batch for a cozy night in, these Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies always steal the show.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies is in their simplicity—each ingredient is carefully chosen to create the perfect balance of flavor and texture. From rich peanut butter to a touch of brown sugar, every component plays its part in making these cookies absolutely irresistible.
- Creamy Peanut Butter: The star of the show, delivering that classic, nutty flavor and a soft, chewy texture.
- Unsalted Butter (softened): Adds richness and helps create a tender crumb in both the cookies and the filling.
- Granulated Sugar: Brings the right touch of sweetness and helps the edges crisp up just enough.
- Packed Brown Sugar: Infuses a subtle molasses depth and extra chewiness.
- Large Egg: Binds everything together and gives the cookies structure.
- Vanilla Extract: Rounds out the flavors and enhances the peanut butter notes.
- All-Purpose Flour: Provides the base for the perfect cookie structure.
- Baking Powder: Helps the cookies rise and stay soft.
- Baking Soda: Works with the baking powder for just the right lift and a gentle, golden color.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and brings out the nutty flavor.
- Powdered Sugar (for filling): Creates a smooth, melt-in-your-mouth filling.
- Milk or Heavy Cream (for filling): Adjusts the filling’s consistency for easy spreading or piping.
How to Make Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies
Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Baking Sheets
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup a breeze. This little bit of prep ensures your cookies bake evenly and come off the tray flawlessly.
Step 2: Cream the Butters and Sugars
In a large mixing bowl, combine the creamy peanut butter, softened unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Beat these together until the mixture is smooth, light, and fluffy. This step is key—the air you whip in now means soft, tender cookies later.
Step 3: Add the Egg and Vanilla
Crack in the large egg and pour in the vanilla extract. Mix until everything is well combined. The egg binds your dough, while the vanilla adds just the right background note to highlight all that peanutty goodness.
Step 4: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add these dry ingredients to your wet mixture, stirring until a soft dough forms. Don’t overmix—just blend until there are no streaks of flour left.
Step 5: Shape and Bake the Cookies
Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and arrange them at least 2 inches apart on your prepared baking sheets. Use a fork to gently press each ball down in a crisscross pattern, giving the cookies their signature look. Bake for 9 to 11 minutes until the edges are lightly golden—don’t overbake! Let them cool completely on a wire rack before assembling.
Step 6: Make the Peanut Butter Filling
While your cookies cool, beat together the creamy peanut butter, softened butter, powdered sugar, milk (or cream), and vanilla extract until the filling is smooth and fluffy. Start with 1 tablespoon of milk and add more as needed to reach a spreadable consistency. This filling is where the magic happens—it’s rich, creamy, and perfectly sweet.
Step 7: Assemble Your Sandwich Cookies
Once the cookies are completely cool, spread or pipe a generous layer of filling onto the flat side of one cookie. Top with another cookie to create a sandwich. Repeat with the remaining cookies. Now you have a plateful of irresistible Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies, ready to enjoy!
How to Serve Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies
Garnishes
Dress up your Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies by drizzling them with melted chocolate, sprinkling with chopped peanuts, or dusting with a bit of powdered sugar. These little touches add a beautiful finishing flair and make each bite even more special.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair wonderfully with a tall glass of cold milk, a hot cup of coffee, or even a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Serve them alongside a fruit platter for a balanced dessert spread, or tuck them into lunchboxes for a sweet midday surprise.
Creative Ways to Present
Stack your Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies in a pretty jar for a thoughtful homemade gift, arrange them on a tiered platter for a party, or package them individually in cute bags for bake sales. You can even dip half of each sandwich in chocolate and let them set for a gourmet twist.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. They’ll stay soft and delicious, and the flavors will meld even more as they sit. If your kitchen is especially warm, store them in the fridge to avoid a melty filling.
Freezing
These cookies freeze beautifully! Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. They’ll keep for up to 2 months. You can also freeze the unfilled cookies and assemble them with fresh filling later.
Reheating
While you don’t need to reheat Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies, you can bring them back to room temperature if they’ve been chilled or frozen. Just set them out for about 30 minutes before serving for the best texture and flavor.
FAQs
Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy?
Absolutely! Crunchy peanut butter will add a delightful texture to both the cookies and the filling. Just keep in mind the cookies may spread a little less, but you’ll get fantastic peanut bits in every bite.
How can I make these gluten-free?
You can substitute a cup-for-cup gluten-free all-purpose flour blend for the regular flour. Be sure to check that all your other ingredients are certified gluten-free, and you’ll have delicious gluten-free Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies.
Can I double the recipe?
Definitely! This recipe scales up beautifully for parties, bake sales, or gifting. Just make sure to bake in batches so the cookies have enough space to spread.
What can I add to the filling for a fun twist?
Try mixing in a little cocoa powder for a chocolate-peanut butter version, a pinch of cinnamon for warmth, or even a spoonful of marshmallow fluff for extra creaminess. The filling is your playground!
Why do my cookies turn out dry?
Dry cookies usually mean they were overbaked or the dough had too much flour. Be sure to measure your flour using the spoon-and-level method and keep a close eye on the baking time for perfectly tender Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies.
Final Thoughts
There’s something undeniably special about homemade Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies—the way they melt in your mouth, the rich peanut butter flavor, and the nostalgia in every bite. If you’re searching for a treat that’s as fun to make as it is to eat, give these sandwich cookies a try. I promise they’ll win over everyone who tastes them!
Print
Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 12 sandwich cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies combine rich, creamy peanut butter cookies with a smooth, sweet peanut butter filling, making a delightful treat that’s easy to bake and perfect for sharing.
Ingredients
For the Cookies:
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
For the Filling:
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1–2 tablespoons milk or heavy cream
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper to ensure the cookies bake evenly and don’t stick.
- Cream ingredients: In a large bowl, cream together the peanut butter, softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is smooth and fluffy, ensuring a light texture.
- Add egg and vanilla: Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until fully combined for enhanced flavor and moisture.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening agents and seasoning.
- Combine wet and dry: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until a soft dough forms, but avoid overmixing to keep cookies tender.
- Shape cookies: Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets to allow spreading during baking.
- Flatten cookies: Using a fork, gently flatten each cookie ball in a crisscross pattern to create the classic peanut butter cookie texture.
- Bake: Bake for 9–11 minutes or until the cookies turn lightly golden around the edges; do not overbake to maintain softness.
- Cool cookies: Transfer cookies to a wire rack and let them cool completely to prevent the filling from melting when assembled.
- Prepare filling: Beat together the peanut butter, softened butter, powdered sugar, milk or cream, and vanilla extract until smooth and spreadable, adjusting milk as needed for consistency.
- Assemble sandwiches: Spread or pipe a generous layer of filling onto the flat side of one cookie, then sandwich with another cookie; repeat with remaining cookies.
Notes
- Add 1-2 tablespoons of cocoa powder to the filling mixture for a delicious chocolate-peanut butter variation.
- Store the sandwich cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days to maintain freshness.
- For a firmer filling, chill it briefly before spreading.
- Ensure cookies are completely cool before assembling to avoid melting the filling.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich cookie
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 22 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg
