Introduction
Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookies are a nostalgic and delicious twist on the classic childhood sandwich. Combining the rich, savory taste of peanut butter with the sweet, fruity flavor of jelly, these cookies offer a delightful contrast of flavors and textures. Perfect for any occasion, they bring comfort and joy with every bite. Whether you enjoy them as an after-school snack or serve them at a family gathering, Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookies are sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Their combination of crunchy peanut butter and smooth jelly makes them an irresistible treat that appeals to both kids and adults alike. This beloved dessert brings the best of both worlds together in one bite, making it a timeless favorite for cookie lovers.
The History of Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookies
The combination of peanut butter and jelly dates back to the early 20th century when peanut butter gained popularity as a nutritious and affordable spread, particularly in the United States. While peanut butter and jelly sandwiches have been a staple in American households for decades, the idea of transforming this beloved pairing into cookies emerged as home bakers began experimenting with different ways to enjoy peanut butter. Peanut butter cookies themselves have a long history, with recipes dating back to the late 1800s, but the inclusion of jelly in cookie form became a more recent twist, offering a fun and creative take on the traditional sandwich. Over the years, the Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookie has become a go-to treat, with many variations and creative spins on the classic recipe. Whether baked with a dollop of jelly in the center or layered between two peanut butter cookie rounds, this cookie continues to evolve while staying true to its roots.
Ingredients Breakdown
Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookies require a few key ingredients that bring out the perfect combination of flavors. The main ingredient, peanut butter, gives the cookie its nutty richness and chewy texture. You’ll need a mix of all-purpose flour and baking soda to create the structure of the dough, and a pinch of salt to balance the sweetness. Butter adds moisture and helps achieve a soft, tender cookie, while both white sugar and brown sugar contribute to the sweetness and depth of flavor. An egg helps bind the dough together, ensuring the cookies hold their shape during baking. For the jelly filling, you can use any type of fruit preserve, such as grape, strawberry, or raspberry, depending on your preference. The fruit preserves provide the sweet, tart burst of flavor that pairs perfectly with the peanut butter cookies. Together, these ingredients create a balanced and flavorful cookie that offers a satisfying bite in every piece.
Step-by-Step Recipe
To begin, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. In a separate large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, peanut butter, white sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla extract to the mixture, beating well to incorporate. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until fully combined and a soft dough forms.
Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll them into balls. Place the dough balls onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Gently press each dough ball with a fork to create a crisscross pattern on top, pressing down slightly. Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes or until the edges are golden brown but the centers remain soft.
Once baked, remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. After the cookies have cooled, spoon a small amount of jelly onto the center of one cookie and place another cookie on top, pressing gently to form a sandwich. Repeat this process with the remaining cookies.
Tips for the Perfect Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookies
To achieve the best results, make sure your peanut butter is creamy and smooth, as it will blend more easily into the dough. If you’re using chunky peanut butter, be aware that it may affect the texture of the dough and result in a slightly different consistency. Use a high-quality jelly or jam for the filling, as the fruit flavor is a key component of the cookie. For an extra touch, you can slightly heat the jelly to make it easier to spread, but be sure it cools to room temperature before using it in the sandwich. If you’d like a more pronounced peanut butter flavor, you can add a pinch of extra salt or increase the amount of peanut butter in the dough. For uniform cookies, use a cookie scoop to ensure each dough ball is the same size.
Variations and Customizations
While the classic Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookie is delicious on its own, there are several variations and customizations to consider. You can swap out the jelly filling for Nutella or chocolate spread for a richer, more indulgent flavor. If you enjoy a more complex flavor profile, try adding a teaspoon of cinnamon or a dash of vanilla extract to the dough for extra depth. For an even crunchier texture, incorporate chopped peanuts into the dough. If you’re looking for a more decadent treat, drizzle melted chocolate over the cooled sandwich cookies for a luxurious finish. Additionally, you can make these cookies gluten-free by using a gluten-free flour blend in place of all-purpose flour, ensuring the cookies still maintain their structure and texture. You can also adjust the sweetness by using a sugar substitute or reducing the amount of sugar in the dough.
Health Considerations and Nutritional Value
Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookies, while absolutely delicious, are a treat that should be enjoyed in moderation. These cookies are typically high in calories, sugar, and fat due to the combination of peanut butter, butter, and sugar. A single cookie with frosting can contain approximately 150-200 calories, depending on the size and ingredients used. The peanut butter provides a source of protein, but the sugar content can outweigh the health benefits, especially when consumed in excess. If you’re looking for a healthier version, you can reduce the sugar content, use natural peanut butter with no added sugar or oils, and opt for fruit preserves with no added sugar. Additionally, if you are gluten-sensitive, make sure to use gluten-free flour, and consider using a sugar substitute for a lower-carb option. While not a health food, these cookies can certainly be enjoyed as an occasional indulgence.
FAQ
- Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of smooth?
Yes, you can use crunchy peanut butter, but it may affect the texture of the dough, making it a bit more crumbly and adding more texture to the cookies. - Can I use a different type of jelly?
Absolutely! You can use any flavor of jelly or jam that you prefer, such as strawberry, raspberry, or grape. Choose your favorite flavor to personalize your cookies. - How do I store these cookies?
Store the Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. If you want to keep them fresher for longer, you can refrigerate them for up to a week.
Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookies
Ingredients
- 1½ cups 180 g all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup 113 g unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- ½ cup 100 g sugar
- ½ cup 100 g light brown sugar
- 1 cup 156 g creamy peanut butter
- 1 large egg at room temperature
- 2 teaspoons 10 ml vanilla extract
- ¼ cup 50 g granulated sugar, for rolling (optional)
- ½ – 1 cup 144 – 289 g strawberry jelly or seedless jam
- ¼ cup creamy peanut butter melted (optional)
- ¼ cup peanuts roughly chopped (optional)
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until fully combined. Set the dry mixture aside for now.
- In a large mixing bowl, use a paddle attachment to cream the butter with the light brown and granulated sugars until smooth and well combined. This should take about 2-3 minutes on medium speed. Add the peanut butter and cream it into the mixture on medium speed for 1 minute until fully incorporated. Then, on low speed, mix in the egg and vanilla extract until smooth. Gradually stir in the dry ingredients, mixing until just combined.
- Cover the cookie dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 to 60 minutes while the oven preheats. Chilling the dough is optional, but it helps reduce spreading during baking.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C) and allow it to heat for 30 minutes before baking the cookies. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Pour the granulated sugar into a small bowl and set aside.
- Using a medium cookie scoop (about 2 tablespoons, 30 ml), scoop the peanut butter dough into balls. Roll each ball in the sugar, then place the dough balls onto the lined baking sheet, spacing them about 3 inches (8 cm) apart, as they will spread slightly.
- Using your thumb or a teaspoon measuring spoon, press an indentation into the center of each cookie. Fill each well with a teaspoon (5 ml) of strawberry jelly or seedless jam.
- Bake the cookies at 350°F (177°C) for 14-15 minutes or until the edges are set and cracks have formed across the tops of the cookies.
- As soon as you remove the cookies from the oven, give them a “cookie scoot” to help reshape them into perfect rounds. To do this, place a biscuit cutter, small bowl, or large glass (slightly larger than the cookies) around each one and gently nudge the edges in a circular motion. This helps to refine the edges of the thumbprint, which may have spread during baking, and allows the jelly to firm up slightly. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 10 minutes.
- If you like, spoon an additional teaspoon of jelly into each cookie while they are still hot.
- To make these Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookies even more delicious, drizzle melted peanut butter over each cookie and sprinkle with chopped peanuts as they cool. Once the cookies have cooled to room temperature, transfer them to a cooling rack to cool completely and enjoy!