The arrival of December 1 officially kicks off my holiday baking binge, as I single-handedly strive to keep the flour, sugar and butter purveyors in business. My oven transforms from an everyday kitchen appliance into a holiday cookie-making machine, cranking out dozen after dozen of Brown Sugar Shortbread Cookies, Chocolate Rugelach and Espresso Chocolate Chip Brownie Cookies, while I’m busily stirring and shaping my signature sweet, Marshmallow Christmas Wreaths.
I’m a huge fan of sandwich cookies, and since free association seems to lead a majority of the dessert decisions on this site, it may come as no surprise that the thought process behind these bad boys went a little something like this:
Eating lunch → toasted peanut butter and jelly → favorite sandwich → excited about holiday baking → I wonder if… → Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich Cookies.
Welcome to my world.
Free association aside, these Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich Cookies pair chewy peanut butter cookies with your choice of jelly for the ultimate edible gift this holiday season.
I’m a longtime fan of Sarabeth’s Preserves, particularly the strawberry-raspberry flavor, but feel free to spread and snack on whatever flavored jelly you have stashed in your fridge. And don’t be afraid to get creative when it comes to the cookie cutters. Stars, squares, hearts, snowflakes—they all make for sandwich-worthy shapes.
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Ingredients
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 cup light brown sugar
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup strawberry or raspberry jelly
Special equipment:
- 3-inch round cookie cutter; 1-inch round cookie cutter
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350ºF.
- Beat the butter, peanut butter and sugars in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the eggs, one at a time, then add the vanilla and baking powder.
- Add the flour to the mixer one cup at a time, scraping down the sides of the bowl between each addition and beating just until combined.
- Lightly flour your work surface then roll out the dough to 1/8-inch thick. Cut out as many 3-inch cookies with the circular cookie cutter as possible then use the smaller cookie cutter to cut out openings in the center of half of the cookies. (Scraps can be re-rolled.) Transfer the cookies to parchment- or Silpat-lined baking sheets, spacing them 1 inch apart.
- Bake the cookies for 10 to 12 minutes, or until golden brown and slightly crisp on edges. Remove and transfer to a cooling rack.
- Once the cookies have fully cooled, spread about 1 tablespoon of jelly on the non-cutout cookies, and then place a cutout cookie on top to form sandwiches. Repeat with the remaining cookies.
Kelly's Notes:
- Feel free to experiment with a variety of cookie cutter shapes, such as squares or stars.
- Dip the cookie cutter lightly in flour before using it to prevent it from sticking too much to the dough.
- ★ Did you make this recipe? Don't forget to give it a star rating below!
Nutrition
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Cookie dough recipe adapted from Created by Diane.
Do you freeze your cookies & what’s the best way
Hi Carol! These cookies should freeze well. For best results, bake the tops and bottoms of cookies as instructed, allow them to cool completely, then freeze in an airtight container for up to 1 month. When ready to serve, bring the cookies to room temp before adding the jelly. Assembled cookies can also be frozen, but they might be a little softer than those freshly prepared. The jelly won’t freeze solid, so separate the cookies with a layer of parchment paper in the storage container.
Hi i tried this recipe today and it was delicious .. but it was too sticky even when i chilled the dough for half an hour .. have I done something wrong ?? but again it’s delicious .. thank you
Hi! I just wanted to ask what adjustments can I make if I want to omit the peanut butter because of allergies?
Hi there! I’d recommend making another cookie recipe that doesn’t include peanut butter. Here’s a great roundup of options: https://www.justataste.com/best-christmas-cookies/
Made these for my coworkers and they disappeared! They were SO GOOD!
Woohoo! So glad you enjoyed the recipe, Rachel!
After the cookies are ready, you can spread some sugar powder on the top.
OMG! you have the best recipes EVA!
Thanks so much, Ruth!
I love these!!! My son has food allergies, so I’m going to try and use soy in place of butter and the peanut butter. I hope it turns out the same!
Peanut butter jelly time! These look so pretty :) Very well done!
Great photos! I really learned a lot last night in class. I can’t wait to experiment more with food photography.
these look incredible! i love jam-filled cookies. i should make them more often.
Love your photos, Kelly! These look delicious!
Hummm so good. i have to try.. :)
My kind of peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Love the hole in the top cookie, a little more room for some jam deliciousness.
Sarabeth’s really does rule – I love their jams and especially their scones! PB&J is just classically awesome. Sometimes for breakfast, if I am running out the door, I will fill a spoon half with jam and half with peanut butter and shove it in my mouth. Not exactly well rounded, but comforting and delicious. These little gems look so pretty and I’m sure would go over splendidly at any holiday party!
Peanut buttery cookies always tend to be my favorite…and adding jelly into the mix is just a no-brainer! Love these!
These cookies look so adorable, Kelly! I love the hole in the middle of the top one!
i love sandwich cookies too, and you are so right–pb&j is the perfect flavor for them :) yum!!
These are so cute! Peanut butter and jelly are the perfect sandwich combo and its even better that you made them into a cute looking cookie.
love these Kelly! I hope your December is going well so far!
These are absolutely gorgeous! I love this idea for the Christmas table :)
LOVE these! I just found a company who makes local preserves, so I can’t wait to try them with these!