Get ready to fall head-over-heels for the nostalgic, sweet, and salty charm of Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies! These decadent treats feature soft, chewy peanut butter cookies hugging a creamy, luscious peanut butter filling. Every bite is a wonderful balance of rich flavor and melt-in-your-mouth texture. If you love peanut butter, these cookies are about to become your new favorite indulgence, perfect for sharing (or not!) with friends and family.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Let’s talk about what goes into making truly irresistible Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies. Each ingredient plays a vital role in creating that signature nutty taste, soft crumb, and dreamy filling. No fancy items here, just pantry staples working their magic!
- Creamy Peanut Butter: The star of the show, lending deep peanut flavor and creamy texture to both the cookies and the filling.
- Unsalted Butter, softened: Adds richness and helps the cookies bake up tender and light.
- Brown Sugar, packed: Infuses every bite with a caramel-like sweetness and keeps the cookies chewy.
- Granulated Sugar: Balances the brown sugar and adds a little crispness to the edges.
- Large Egg: Binds everything together for a perfect cookie structure.
- Vanilla Extract: Enhances the peanut flavor and adds a cozy aroma.
- All-Purpose Flour: Gives the cookies their shape and soft, sturdy bite.
- Baking Soda & Baking Powder: These leaveners ensure your cookies rise just enough and stay tender.
- Salt: A must-have for balance, bringing out all those delicious flavors.
- Powdered Sugar (for filling): Makes the filling sweet and smooth.
- Milk (as needed): Helps achieve the perfect, spreadable filling consistency.
How to Make Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies
Step 1: Preheat and Prep
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper. This little bit of prep ensures your cookies bake evenly and don’t stick, so you’ll have perfect Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies every time.
Step 2: Cream the Wet Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, beat together the peanut butter, softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar. Mix until the blend is light and fluffy—it should look pale and creamy. This step is key for that melt-in-your-mouth texture we all crave.
Step 3: Add Egg and Vanilla
Crack in the egg and pour in the vanilla extract, then mix again until everything’s fully combined. The egg acts as the glue, holding the dough together, while the vanilla gives your cookies that warm, bakery-style aroma.
Step 4: Mix Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to your wet ingredients, mixing just until everything comes together. Avoid overmixing to keep your cookies tender!
Step 5: Shape and Bake
Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and space them about 2 inches apart on your prepared baking sheet. Press each ball gently with a fork in a crisscross pattern for that classic peanut butter cookie look. Bake for 8–10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Let them cool completely on a wire rack—resist the urge to assemble while they’re warm!
Step 6: Prepare the Filling
For that dreamy filling, beat together the peanut butter and softened butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar and vanilla, mixing until fluffy, then drizzle in milk a bit at a time until you have a creamy, spreadable consistency. This step is where the magic happens for your Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies!
Step 7: Assemble the Sandwiches
Once the cookies are cool, spread or pipe a generous layer of filling onto the flat side of half the cookies. Top with the remaining cookies, pressing gently to create a sandwich. You’re now ready to enjoy the ultimate peanut butter experience!
How to Serve Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies
Garnishes
These cookies are a showstopper on their own, but you can jazz them up by rolling the edges in mini chocolate chips, chopped peanuts, or even a dusting of powdered sugar. A drizzle of melted chocolate is another fun touch that makes them feel extra special.
Side Dishes
Pair your Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies with a tall glass of cold milk, a hot cup of coffee, or even a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a dreamy dessert combo. They also shine alongside a fruit salad or a platter of fresh berries for a sweet-and-savory balance.
Creative Ways to Present
Arrange your cookies on a vintage cake stand for a charming centerpiece, tuck them into cute boxes for gifting, or stack them in a jar tied with ribbon for a homemade touch. For parties, try making mini versions and serving them in cupcake liners for a bite-sized treat everyone will love.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. They’ll stay soft and delicious, and the flavors will deepen over time—if they last that long!
Freezing
If you want to make a batch ahead, freeze the assembled cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet. Once solid, transfer them to a freezer bag or container and store for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving for the best texture.
Reheating
While these cookies are perfect at room temp, you can warm them for a few seconds in the microwave if you love that ooey-gooey filling. Just be careful not to overheat, or the filling might get too soft.
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 your mixture might be a bit thicker, but the nutty crunch is totally worth it.
Do I need to chill the dough?
Chilling the dough is optional, but it’s a great trick if you want perfectly shaped cookies that don’t spread too much. A 30-minute chill in the fridge will do the trick, especially if your kitchen is warm.
Can I make the filling ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the filling up to 2 days in advance. Store it in the refrigerator in an airtight container, then let it come to room temperature and give it a quick stir before assembling your Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies.
Are these cookies gluten-free?
As written, the recipe uses all-purpose flour, so they’re not gluten-free. However, you can substitute your favorite 1:1 gluten-free baking flour to make them suitable for gluten-free diets.
Can I add chocolate to these cookies?
Definitely! Stir mini chocolate chips into the dough, add a little cocoa powder to the filling, or dip half of each sandwich in melted chocolate for a decadent twist on classic Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a crowd-pleasing treat or just a cozy afternoon project, these Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies are a must-try. They’re as fun to make as they are to eat, and every bite is pure peanut butter bliss. Whip up a batch and share the joy—they might just become your new signature cookie!
Print
Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 18 sandwich cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delight in these classic Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies featuring a perfectly soft and chewy peanut butter cookie paired with a creamy peanut butter filling. This easy homemade recipe brings together the rich flavors of peanut butter and a sweet buttery filling for a delicious treat perfect for dessert or snack time.
Ingredients
For the Cookies:
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
For the Filling:
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1–2 tablespoons milk (as needed for consistency)
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent the cookies from sticking.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, beat together the peanut butter, softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, ensuring the sugars dissolve fully.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Incorporate the egg and vanilla extract into the wet mixture and beat until the ingredients are fully combined and smooth.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt until evenly distributed.
- Mix Dough: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing gently until just combined to avoid overworking the dough.
- Shape Cookies: Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet. Flatten each ball slightly using a fork in a crisscross pattern to create the classic peanut butter cookie look.
- Bake Cookies: Bake the cookies for 8–10 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden, indicating they are cooked through but still soft in the center.
- Cool Cookies: Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool completely on a wire rack before filling.
- Prepare Filling: In a medium bowl, beat together the peanut butter and softened butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar and vanilla extract, then gradually mix in milk until the filling reaches a creamy and spreadable consistency.
- Assemble Sandwiches: Spread or pipe the peanut butter filling onto the flat side of half the cooled cookies, then gently press the remaining cookies on top to form sandwich cookies.
Notes
- Chilling the dough for 30 minutes before baking can help prevent the cookies from spreading too much and gives better shape.
- For a chocolatey twist, add a tablespoon of cocoa powder to the filling to combine chocolate and peanut butter flavors.
- Make sure the cookies are completely cooled before filling to prevent melting or sliding of the filling.
- Use creamy peanut butter for a smooth texture; chunky peanut butter can be substituted but will alter the cookie texture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich cookie
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 140mg
- Fat: 17g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
