The Ultimate Homemade Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies: Chewy, Creamy, and Irresistibly Delicious

Prepare for an explosion of flavor with these incredible Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies! We’re talking about perfectly soft, delightfully chewy peanut butter cookies generously filled with a luscious, creamy peanut butter frosting. This isn’t just a recipe; it’s a celebration for every peanut butter enthusiast. Forget store-bought imitations; these homemade peanut butter cookie sandwiches are guaranteed to become a family favorite, prompting exclamations of joy with every single bite.

Our passion for peanut butter runs deep, and our love for cookies is equally strong. So, we decided to combine these two culinary delights into one extraordinary treat that takes the classic peanut butter cookie to an entirely new level. This recipe elevates the traditional peanut butter cookie experience by introducing a rich and velvety peanut butter cream filling, transforming a simple cookie into a decadent sandwich. It’s all the comforting goodness you adore about your favorite peanut butter cookies, but with an exciting and utterly satisfying twist that will have you reaching for just one more.

Crafting the Perfect Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookie: A Homemade Recipe Guide

When you hear “peanut butter filling sandwiched between cookies,” your mind might drift to those often firm, sometimes dry, packaged sandwich cookies found on grocery store shelves. However, these homemade marvels are in a league of their own. They boast a wonderfully soft and tender texture, an irresistible chewiness that melts in your mouth, and a perfect balance of sweetness and rich peanut butter flavor. Dare we say, they are truly perfect? Indeed! They’re arguably the best peanut butter cookie creation since the beloved Nutter Butter, but with an unparalleled homemade charm and freshness that mass-produced versions simply cannot replicate.

Making these cookies from scratch allows for control over the quality of ingredients and the final texture, ensuring a superior result every time. The secret lies in a carefully balanced cookie base paired with a filling that’s just the right consistency – creamy, smooth, and bursting with peanut butter goodness. Get ready to impress your friends and family with a dessert that tastes like it came from a gourmet bakery, all from the comfort of your own kitchen.

Essential Ingredients for the Ultimate Peanut Butter Cookies

Achieving that signature soft, chewy, and flavorful peanut butter cookie requires a thoughtful selection of ingredients. Each component plays a crucial role in creating the perfect base for our delectable sandwiches. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need and why:

Shortening: By incorporating 1/2 cup of butter-flavored shortening, such as Crisco, we achieve a wonderful texture that’s often harder to get with just butter. Shortening helps create a tender crumb and prevents excessive spreading, ensuring our cookies maintain their delightful shape. The butter flavor ensures you don’t miss out on that classic richness.
Butter: Complementing the shortening, 1/2 cup of room-temperature butter (one stick) adds a deep, rich flavor profile and contributes significantly to the cookie’s moistness and overall deliciousness. Using butter at room temperature is key for proper creaming, which incorporates air and creates a lighter texture.
Peanut Butter: As the star of the show, 1 cup of smooth peanut butter is essential for that unmistakable, robust peanut butter flavor throughout the cookie. Opt for a creamy, processed peanut butter (like Jif or Skippy) for consistent results, as natural peanut butter can separate and affect the dough’s texture differently.
Sugars: A combination of 1 cup of granulated sugar and 1 cup of packed brown sugar is vital. Granulated sugar provides crispness and sweetness, while brown sugar adds moisture, depth of flavor, and contributes to that desirable chewy texture we all love in a great peanut butter cookie. The balance ensures a sweet treat without being cloying.
Eggs: Three large eggs act as the primary binder in this cookie dough, holding all the ingredients together and adding structure. They also contribute to the richness and moisture content, ensuring the cookies remain tender and not crumbly.
Vanilla Extract: To enhance and round out all the sweet and nutty flavors, 1 teaspoon of high-quality vanilla extract is a must. Vanilla works wonders in baked goods, bringing out the best in other ingredients. Don’t skimp on good vanilla!
Flour: The structural backbone of the dough is 3 cups of all-purpose flour. While all-purpose works perfectly, you could experiment with bread flour for a chewier cookie or pastry flour for a more delicate crumb, depending on your preference.
Baking Soda: Two teaspoons of baking soda are crucial for leavening. It reacts with the acidic brown sugar to create carbon dioxide, which causes the cookies to rise and puff up beautifully, resulting in a light and airy yet chewy texture.
Salt: A mere 1/4 teaspoon of salt might seem small, but it’s a powerhouse flavor enhancer. It balances the sweetness, making the peanut butter flavor truly pop and preventing the cookies from tasting flat.

Ingredients for the Dreamy Peanut Butter Filling:

No peanut butter sandwich cookie is complete without a decadent filling. This creamy, sweet, and intensely peanut buttery frosting is what truly transforms these cookies into an unforgettable dessert. Here’s what you’ll need for the filling:

Peanut Butter: 1/2 cup of creamy peanut butter forms the base of our filling, delivering a rich, intense peanut butter flavor without altering the smooth, spreadable texture of the frosting.
Powdered Sugar (Confectioners’ Sugar): To achieve a perfectly smooth and sweet filling that dissolves beautifully without any grainy texture, we use 3 cups of powdered sugar. This is non-negotiable for a silky finish.
Vanilla Extract: Just like in the cookies, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract in the filling helps to deepen and enhance the overall flavor, making it taste truly incredible.
Milk: You will need approximately 5-6 tablespoons of milk. The exact amount can be adjusted based on your desired consistency – add less for a thicker filling or a bit more for a thinner, more easily spreadable frosting.

How to Make Irresistible Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies: A Detailed Guide

Creating these delightful sandwich cookies is a straightforward process, but paying attention to each step ensures perfect results every time. Follow these instructions for baking success:

Preparation is Key: Begin by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line two large cookie sheets with parchment paper. This prevents sticking and makes cleanup a breeze. Set them aside while you prepare the dough.
Creaming the Fats and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, using the paddle attachment of a stand mixer (or a reliable hand mixer), cream together the butter, butter-flavored shortening, peanut butter, granulated sugar, and packed brown sugar. Beat on medium speed for about 4 minutes, or until the mixture is light, fluffy, and well combined. This step incorporates air, leading to a tender cookie.
Adding Wet Ingredients: Next, beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Then, mix in the vanilla extract until just combined. Be careful not to overmix at this stage.
Combining Dry Ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients: the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Whisking ensures they are evenly distributed, preventing pockets of leavening agents.
Mixing Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the creamed butter mixture. Mix on low speed until just combined. It’s crucial not to overmix the dough once the flour is added, as this can develop the gluten too much, resulting in tough cookies. Stop mixing as soon as no dry streaks of flour remain.
Shaping the Cookies: Use a medium or small cookie scoop (about 1-inch diameter) to portion out the dough. Roll each portion into a smooth 1-inch ball between your palms. Place these dough balls about 2 inches apart on your prepared baking sheets to allow for proper spreading.
The Classic Fork Press: Gently flatten each cookie ball with the tines of a fork, creating that iconic crisscross pattern. Press them down to about just under 1/4 inch thick. This not only gives them a classic look but also helps them bake evenly. For an extra touch of sparkle and crunch, sprinkle a tiny bit of granulated sugar on top of each flattened cookie.
Baking to Golden Perfection: Bake in the preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 7-8 minutes. Keep a close eye on them; cookies are done when the edges are lightly golden, and the centers appear set. Avoid overbaking, as this will lead to dry cookies.
Cooling the Cookies: Once baked, remove the cookie sheets from the oven and let the cookies cool on the sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire cooling rack. This allows them to firm up slightly, preventing them from breaking. Let them cool completely before moving on to the filling stage.
Preparing the Peanut Butter Filling: While the cookies are cooling, prepare your rich peanut butter filling. In a clean bowl, beat together the creamy peanut butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. Gradually add the milk, starting with 4 tablespoons and adding more as needed, until you achieve a smooth, creamy, and spreadable consistency. We typically use creamy peanut butter for a uniform filling, but feel free to experiment with chunky peanut butter for added texture, or even natural peanut butter for a less sweet option. Just remember that the type of peanut butter can affect the filling’s texture, so you might need to adjust the milk quantity accordingly.
Assembling the Sandwich Cookies: Once the cookies are entirely cool, it’s time for assembly! Take half of your cooled cookies and spread a generous amount of the peanut butter filling onto the flat side of each. A knife or offset spatula works perfectly for this. Alternatively, for a more professional look, transfer the filling to a pastry bag fitted with a round tip and pipe it onto the cookies. Top each filled cookie with another plain cookie, flat side down, to create your perfect peanut butter sandwich cookies. Serve immediately and savor every delicious moment!

PEANUT BUTTER SANDWICH COOKIES

These Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies feature delightfully chewy peanut butter cookies paired with a rich and creamy peanut butter filling. A dream come true for peanut butter lovers, this homemade recipe creates irresistible cookie sandwiches that everyone will adore!

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Course: Cookies, Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: peanut butter sandwich cookies

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Cook Time: 8 minutes

Total Time: 33 minutes

Servings: 18

Calories: 482kcal

Author: Jessica & Nellie

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Ingredients

1/2 cup butter-flavored shortening
1/2 cup butter
1 cup creamy peanut butter
1 cup sugar
1 cup packed brown sugar
3 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt

Peanut Butter Filling:

1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
3 cups confectioners sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
5 – 6 TBSP milk

Instructions

In a large bowl, cream the butter, shortening, peanut butter and sugars until light and fluffy, about 4 minutes. Beat in eggs and vanilla.
Combine the flour, baking soda and salt; add to creamed mixture and mix well.
Shape into 1-in. balls and place 2 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Flatten to 3/8-in. thickness with fork. Bake at 375° for 7-8 minutes or until golden.
Remove to wire racks to cool.
For filling, in a large bowl, beat the peanut butter, confectioners’ sugar, vanilla and enough milk to achieve spreading consistency. Spread on half of the cookies and top each with another cookie.

Notes

This recipe yields approximately 3 dozen cookies, which will make 18 delightful peanut butter cookie sandwiches.

Nutrition

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Tips for Success: Ensuring Perfect Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies Every Time

While this recipe is straightforward, a few key tips can elevate your baking game and guarantee outstanding results:

Room Temperature Ingredients: Always ensure your butter, shortening, and eggs are at room temperature. This allows them to cream together smoothly, creating a homogeneous mixture that incorporates air effectively for light and fluffy cookies.
Don’t Overmix: Once you add the flour, mix the dough only until just combined. Overmixing develops gluten, which can lead to tough, dense cookies instead of the desired soft and chewy texture.
Proper Scooping and Flattening: Using a cookie scoop helps ensure uniform cookie sizes, which in turn leads to even baking. The fork tines not only provide the classic peanut butter cookie look but also help flatten the cookies to the correct thickness for optimal baking.
Watch Your Oven: Ovens can vary. Pay close attention to your cookies during the last few minutes of baking. They are done when the edges are set and lightly golden, and the centers no longer look wet. An extra minute can turn perfectly soft cookies into dry ones.
Cool Completely: Resist the urge to fill the cookies before they are fully cooled. Warm cookies will melt the filling, leading to a messy and unstable sandwich. Patience is a virtue here!
Adjust Filling Consistency: The amount of milk for the filling is a guide. Add it slowly, tablespoon by tablespoon, until you reach your desired spreading consistency. Factors like humidity and peanut butter type can affect how much liquid is needed.

Exciting Variations on Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies

While these classic peanut butter sandwich cookies are perfection on their own, there’s always room to get creative! Here are a few delightful ideas to customize your treats and explore new flavor combinations:

Chocolate Peanut Butter Heaven: For the ultimate indulgence, spread a thin layer of rich chocolate ganache over the peanut butter filling before topping with another cookie. The combination of peanut butter and chocolate is truly heavenly. Alternatively, melt 1/2 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips and brush the bottoms of the baked peanut butter cookies with the chocolate. Let them set upside down on parchment paper before proceeding with the filling – pure yum!
Cream Cheese Peanut Butter Dream: Elevate the filling by using our luscious Cream Cheese Peanut Butter Buttercream Frosting instead of the simpler peanut butter filling. This adds a delightful tang and extra richness that is simply amazing.
Chocolate Chip Surprise: Stir in 1/4 cup of mini chocolate chips into the creamy peanut butter sandwich filling for little bursts of chocolate in every bite.
PB&J Cookie Sandwiches: For a nostalgic twist, add about 1/4 teaspoon of your favorite strawberry or raspberry jam on top of the peanut butter filling before adding the second cookie. Boom – instant PB&J cookie sandwiches that will transport you back to childhood!
Crunchy Peanut Butter Option: While the recipe calls for creamy peanut butter in the cookies for consistent texture, you can absolutely use crunchy peanut butter in the filling if you desire an extra textural element. Just be aware it might require slightly less milk to achieve the desired consistency.

How Long Do Creamy Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies Last?

These delectable cookies are best enjoyed fresh, but they also store remarkably well. Once your creamy peanut butter sandwich cookies have cooled completely and been assembled, they can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for about 3-4 days. For optimal freshness and to prevent them from drying out, ensure the container is sealed tightly. While refrigeration can extend their shelf life slightly, it can sometimes alter the texture of the cookies, making them a bit firmer. Room temperature storage usually keeps them soft and chewy.

Can I Freeze Smooth Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies?

Absolutely! These cookies are excellent candidates for freezing, making them perfect for meal prep or enjoying a homemade treat whenever a craving strikes. To freeze, arrange the assembled cookies in single layers, separated by parchment paper or wax paper, in an airtight freezer-safe container or freezer bag. They can last up to a few months in the freezer without a significant loss in quality or flavor. When you’re ready to enjoy them, simply place the desired number of cookies on the counter to thaw for an hour or two at room temperature before eating. They’ll be just as delicious as when they were freshly made!

Frequently Asked Questions About Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies

Can I use natural peanut butter? For the cookie dough, we recommend using processed creamy peanut butter (like Jif or Skippy) for consistent texture. Natural peanut butter, due to its oil separation, can result in a drier or more crumbly cookie. However, for the filling, natural creamy peanut butter can be used. You might need to adjust the amount of milk, potentially using less, to achieve the desired consistency.
Why did my cookies spread too much? Over-softened butter, too little flour, or an oven that isn’t hot enough can all cause cookies to spread excessively. Ensure your butter is at room temperature (but not melted), measure flour accurately, and always preheat your oven properly. Chilling the dough for 15-30 minutes before baking can also help reduce spreading.
Can I make the dough ahead of time? Yes! The cookie dough can be prepared and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When ready to bake, let it sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes to soften slightly before scooping and baking.
How can I make the crisscross pattern without sticking? If your fork sticks to the dough, try dipping it lightly in granulated sugar or flour between each press. This prevents sticking and ensures a clean pattern.

More Delicious Cookie Recipes You’ll Love

If you’re a fan of these peanut butter delights, you’ll surely love exploring more of our tempting cookie recipes. From classic comfort to unique flavors, there’s a cookie for every occasion:

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PEANUT BUTTER COOKIE BITES
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LEMON MELTAWAY COOKIES
BUTTER PECAN COOKIES
RASPBERRY CHEESECAKE COOKIES
EGGLESS OATMEAL CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES
VANILLA MELTAWAY COOKIES
CHOCOLATE SUGAR COOKIES
CREAM CHEESE SUGAR COOKIES
STRAWBERRY COOL WHIP COOKIES

There’s nothing quite like the joy of biting into a perfectly crafted homemade peanut butter sandwich cookie. The tender, chewy peanut butter cookies paired with that unbelievably smooth and creamy filling create a symphony of flavors and textures that truly makes these treats irresistible. We are thrilled to share this recipe for peanut butter cookie sandwiches that consistently receives rave reviews and brings smiles to every face. Bake a batch today and discover your new favorite cookie!