I was photographing these Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookies on my front porch (which I always do, for the best light) when a FedEx guy literally jogged up to deliver a package. I asked him if he wanted to try a cookie and he said over his shoulder as he ran off, “No thanks, I don’t eat sweets.”
“I don’t eat sweets.” Simple as that. I don’t eat sweets. A declaration. The end. Forever and ever amen.
I honestly just don’t understand how these people get by. I am outraged on his behalf and I don’t even have to live by his rules. I feel like maybe I should have offered him something else besides the cookie, just to make sure. Maybe some cake? It would be like that scene on My Big Fat Greek Wedding, when the aunt finds out the new boyfriend is vegetarian: “WHAT DO YOU MEAN HE DON’T EAT NO MEAT? It’s okay. I make lamb.”
Later on I was still photographing these cookies, kind of in the zone, when I looked up to find another delivery guy waiting patiently down the walkway, holding my package. Usually people just come up and drop it, which is totally fine, but I could tell he didn’t want to interrupt me. I offered him a cookie after I took the package and he said no, that’s okay. I said are you SURE? He said no I’m good. There was enough hesitation in his voice (that maybe I totally made up??) that I looked him in the eye and said, “You’re making the wrong choice.” Then he finally came and took one. He said, “I didn’t want to take the cookies you were shooting.”
So that’s me, just bullying people into taking my food over here. Welcome to my house, where you have to eat the cookies I offer you, OR ELSE. I’m sure you can all relate. Haven’t you ever made something so delicious that you literally want to shout it from the rooftops?? Or harshly criticize deliverymen who reject them?? No, just me, okay.
Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookies
Are you into peanut butter and jelly sandwiches? I mean I know it’s kid food, but I never let that stop me. I probably have a bite of a PB&J every single day, stolen from my children. They are just the best. I never get tired of it. My kids are weirdos and like thinly-spread sandwiches. “My sandwich has too much jelly on it, mom.” I’m sorry, get out, who are you? Not my kid. BRING ON THE JELLYYYY
Anyway, what could be better than a soft in the center, slightly crispy on the edge peanut butter cookie with jelly on top?? It is like the cookie version of the sandwich. I knew I would like these, but I actually wasn’t expecting to LOVE them as much as I did. But I do. I LOVE THEM.
How to make Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookies
We start out with a typical peanut butter dough. I worked for quite a while perfecting the recipe for The Best, Softest Peanut Butter Cookie of Your Life. Those cookies have the ultimate peanut butter flavor and a super soft texture.
Today’s cookies are very similar, but they are a little more sturdy, the better to hold up the jelly topping situation. It took me several tries to get it right, and to figure out the best way to incorporate the jelly. They are soft in the center and have a perfectly light crisp on the edges. They are baked with the jam added straight to the raw dough for this amazing melding situation, just like how peanut butter and jelly get smashed together on a sandwich. It’s so good! PB&J forever!
Start out by beating together your butter and sugar for at least a minute or two, to get some creaming action going on. Make sure there are no butter chunks; once you add the peanut butter, it’s tough to beat them out. (I always start out with cold butter because I’m lazy and softening butter is too much for me. If you have a stand mixer, just beat and scrape and beat and scrape until it’s creamy.) Then add in the full cup of peanut butter.
Can you use crunchy peanut butter?
Well I mean, yes, you can, if you’re the kind of heathen who likes crunchy peanut butter on your sandwich. Just kidding, I actually think it would be really delicious to add some crunch to these cookies. Do it! Once you get the peanut butter mixed in, add in the eggs and vanilla.
Then add the dry ingredients: flour, baking soda, salt. I add them right into the wet ingredients and use a little spoon to stir it into the flour a bit. I’m just not a two-bowl-cookie person. Don’t over beat your dough. Stop the mixer when there is still flour on the edges and scrape it all down, then mix a final time.
Shape the dough into balls and smash with a fork. I like to dip my fork in a little flour or sugar to make sure it doesn’t get stuck to the dough. Now it’s time for some jelly!
You only want to add a little bit, about a teaspoon.
What kind of jelly can you use?
Sky is the limit here! I tried these with seedless blackberry, seedless raspberry, and seedless strawberry jams. All of them are so good. The jam in the photos is raspberry. I really love the strawberry though, I think it’s the most classic flavor. I much prefer using seedless jelly or jam for these cookies, but really any kind will work! It would even be fun to try apricot jam or marionberry, or grape, or whatever else you can find! If you would make a sandwich with it, you can use it to top these cookies.
After baking, add a tiny bit more jam on top to even out the spaces where it melted in. Drizzle with melted peanut butter, top with chopped nuts and you are golden!
Do I need to chill these cookies?
NO! Hallelujah. You can go from zero to peanut butter and jelly cookies in like 30 minutes flat. YES! I hope you get to make these soon, like probably today is a good day. You already have all the ingredients right?? Who doesn’t have all the ingredients on hand to make a PB&J at all times?? Enjoy!
More cookies to love!
The Best, Softest Peanut Butter Cookies of Your Life! « today’s cookie recipe is based on this one Chewy Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies « these are so soft and perfect. Raspberry Almond Thumbprint Cookies « I love to make these all year, not just at the holidays! No Bake Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies « Please tell me you’ve tried no-bakes? A classic! Texas Cowboy Cookies « everything’s bigger (and better) in Texas ;) Chewy Cookies and Cream Cookies « Crushed Oreos, white chocolate, oh my! Nathan’s Peanut Butter Butterscotch Chocolate Chip Cookies « my brother’s childhood favorite Peanut Butter Oatmeal Sandwich Cookies « just like your favorite Girl Scout cookies, but better! 30 Minutes Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies « my all time favorite. They are just the best, right? S’mores Chocolate Chip Cookies from A Classic Twist Peanut Butter and Jelly Pancakes from Tastes of Lizzy T Peanut Butter and Jelly Crunch Cups from In Katrina’s Kitchen
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