Your favorite sandwich from childhood in cookie form! Experience the joy of peanut butter and jelly cookies. A fun twist on a classic treat for all ages to enjoy.
Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches were my favorite as a kid, and I know I’m not alone. That wave of nostalgia that comes over you when biting into pb&j sandwiches is something that you can’t compare! I’m taking everyone’s favorite childhood sandwich and turning it into the most perfect cookies ever!
If you grew up loving peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, you’re going to fall in love with these peanut butter and jelly cookies. They take everything you adore about the classic childhood combo and bake it into a chewy, gooey, perfectly crinkled cookie that’s sweet, salty, nutty, and nostalgic in every bite.
Whether you’re baking for back-to-school season, a cozy weekend at home, or just need a sweet treat with a little personality, these cookies hit the spot. And the best part? They’re super easy to make with pantry staples you probably already have on hand!
Why We Love This Recipe For Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookies
We love peanut butter and jelly cookies because they’re the perfect nostalgic mashup of two childhood classics—peanut butter cookies and a PB&J sandwich—all wrapped into one delicious bite. Here’s why they’re so irresistible:
Nostalgic Flavor Combo
Peanut butter and jelly is a timeless duo. The rich, nutty flavor of peanut butter pairs beautifully with the sweet, fruity tang of jelly, creating that comforting, familiar taste we grew up loving.
Soft, Chewy Texture
These cookies have the best of both worlds: a tender, chewy center from the peanut butter and butter, with crispy, crinkled edges that make every bite deeply satisfying.
Sweet and Salty Perfection
The saltiness of the peanut butter and a pinch of salt in the dough perfectly balance the sweetness of the sugars and jelly, making these cookies crave-worthy and not overly sweet.
Fun, Swirled Appearance
Jelly baked into cookie dough creates beautiful ripples and pockets of glossy, jammy goodness throughout each cookie. They look just as good as they taste.
Versatile and Customizable
Use your favorite jelly or jam—grape, raspberry, strawberry, or even a spicy fig—for a unique twist. These cookies are easy to personalize while still keeping that beloved PB&J spirit.
Kid-Approved and Grown-Up Friendly
Peanut butter and jelly cookies are a hit with kids, but their rich flavor and soft texture make them just as popular with adults. It’s a nostalgic treat with a gourmet edge.
Whether you’re baking them for back-to-school season, a bake sale, or just a cozy afternoon treat, peanut butter and jelly cookies are a feel-good favorite that never goes out of style.
Key ingredients for this recipe
Peanut Butter
The star of the show! Peanut butter adds richness, flavor, and a tender, chewy texture. It also contributes some natural fat to the dough, enhancing moisture.You could use crunchy peanut butter for this recipe, but I feel like creamy is the way to go. It gives these chewy cookies the perfect texture.
Jelly
The “jelly” in PB&J! Swirled or dolloped into the dough, jam adds bursts of fruity flavor and gooey texture. It contrasts beautifully with the nutty, salty cookie base and provides that nostalgic PB&J taste. Use your favorite jelly for these cookies. My favorite flavor combination is peanut butter and strawberry jam, but use a different jam if your heart desires! Grape jelly, raspberry jam, or even blueberry jam!
Sugar
I use both brown and white sugar for these cookies. Brown sugar adds sweetness and contributes to a soft, moist cookie thanks to its molasses content. It also helps the cookies develop a rich, caramel-like flavor and chewy texture. A small amount of granulated sugar helps slightly crisp the edges and balance the deep flavor of the brown sugar.
Butter
Melted butter creates a chewier texture (as opposed to softened butter, which would make them fluffier). It also adds depth of flavor and helps the cookies spread slightly during baking. It’s cookie perfection.
Vanilla extract
Vanilla extract acts like salt does on the savory side: It enhances all the other flavors in the cookie!
Additional ingredients
Flour
Baking Soda
Salt
Eggs
Step by Step Instructions to make these Chewy Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookies
- In a large mixing bowl or stand mixer, use a whisk or paddle attachment to combine the melted butter, brown sugar, white sugar, egg and vanilla until smooth and creamy.
- Add peanut butter and mix until well combined.
- To the same bowl, add salt, baking soda and stir to combine. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.
- Add flour and mix until no flour is visible, scraping down the sides of the bowl a couple times during the mixing process. Do not overmix!
- Using a medium cookie dough scoop with release, scoop cookie dough and level off the dough using the side of the bowl. Using your finger, create a small indentation in the center of each cookie and place a 1/2 tsp of jam or jelly.
- Place a tablespoon of peanut butter cookie dough on top. Release from the cookie dough scoop and gently use your hands to create a smooth ball.
- CHILL THE DOUGH. Place dough in freezer to cool for at least 1 hour, up to overnight.
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line the cookie sheets with parchment paper or a Silpat baking mat.
- Place cookie dough balls on baking sheet, leaving about 2-inches between each cookie. Bake them for 13 minutes. Take the cookies out when they are golden at the edges but still a little under baked in the middle. Slam the baking sheet on the counter lightly.
- Let the cookies sit on the hot baking sheet for five minutes before transferring them to wire rack to cool.
FAQ and Expert Tips
Take the cookies out when they are golden at the edges but still a little under baked in the middle.
Store extra cookies in an airtight container with a piece of bread to keep the cookies soft and moist.
Slam the cookie sheet on the counter right lightly after removing from the oven to create those perfect crinkles on top of the peanut butter and jelly cookies.
Additional recipes to try
Double Chocolate Peppermint Kiss Cookies – super rich and fudgy chocolate cookies topped with a peppermint kiss are the perfect cookie for any cookie exchange or holiday party!
Festive and Fun Hot Chocolate Charcuterie Board – Piled high with fluffy marshmallows and yummy hot chocolate toppings, this hot chocolate charcuterie will be a hit at any snowy celebration!
Cookie Butter Dip – this easy three-ingredient cookie butter dip is perfect for a fruit charcuterie board!
Peanut butter and jelly cookies are the ultimate feel-good bake. They’re nostalgic yet elevated, simple yet satisfying, and guaranteed to bring a smile to anyone who tries them. So grab a jar of your favorite jam and let’s get baking!
Print
The Best Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookies
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 13 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 23 minutes
- Yield: 1 dozen 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American
Description
Your favorite sandwich from childhood in cookie form! Experience the joy of peanut butter and jelly cookies. A fun twist on a classic treat for all ages to enjoy.
Ingredients
1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
1 cup packed brown sugar
2 teaspoons granulated sugar
1 large egg
2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup jam
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl or stand mixer, use a whisk or paddle attachment to combine the melted butter, brown sugar, white sugar, egg and vanilla until smooth and creamy.
- Add peanut butter and mix until well combined.
- To the same bowl, add salt, baking soda and stir to combine. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.
- Add flour and mix until no flour is visible, scraping down the sides of the bowl a couple times during the mixing process.
- Using a medium cookie dough scoop with release, scoop cookie dough and level off the dough using the side of the bowl. Using your finger, create a small indentation in the center of each cookie and place a 1/2 tsp of jam or jelly.
- Place a tablespoon of peanut butter cookie dough on top. Release from the cookie dough scoop and gently use your hands to create a smooth ball.
- CHILL THE DOUGH. Place dough in freezer to cool for at least 1 hour, up to overnight.
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line the cookie sheets with parchment paper or a Silpat baking mat.
- Place cookie dough balls on baking sheet, leaving about 2-inches between each cookie. Bake them for 13 minutes. Take the cookies out when they are golden at the edges but still a little under baked in the middle. Slam the baking sheet on the counter lightly.
- Let the cookies sit on the hot baking sheet for five minutes before transferring them to wire rack to cool.
Notes
Take the cookies out when they are golden at the edges but still a little under baked in the middle.
Store extra cookies in an airtight container with a piece of bread to keep the cookies soft and moist.
Slam the cookie sheet on the counter right lightly after removing from the oven to create those perfect crinkles on top of the peanut butter and jelly cookies.
2 Comments
These deserve 500 stars! I do not consider myself a cookie person, but these turned me into a Cookie Monster! Tried a batch with raspberry jam and one with blueberry preserves. Couldn’t stop eating them!
This recipe is amazing! It’s super easy, tasty, and makes even the most amateur baker look like a pro! Thanks so much for sharing!