PB and J Stuffed Cookies: The Ultimate Recipe and Baking Guide

PB and J Stuffed Cookies: Prepare to have your childhood reimagined in the most delicious way possible! Forget everything you thought you knew about cookies because these aren’t just any ordinary treat. Imagine biting into a soft, chewy peanut butter cookie, only to discover a gooey, melted pocket of your favorite jelly hidden inside. It’s a surprise party for your taste buds!

The humble peanut butter and jelly sandwich has been a lunchbox staple for generations, a symbol of comfort and simple pleasures. While its exact origins are debated, the combination of peanut butter and jelly gained widespread popularity in the early 20th century and has remained a beloved classic ever since. We’re taking that nostalgic flavor combination and elevating it to a whole new level with these incredible cookies.

People adore PB and J Stuffed Cookies for their delightful combination of textures and flavors. The slightly salty, nutty peanut butter cookie perfectly complements the sweet and fruity jelly filling. They’re also incredibly convenient – a portable and satisfying treat that’s perfect for an afternoon snack, a lunchbox surprise, or a fun dessert. Plus, who can resist the sheer joy of biting into a warm, gooey cookie filled with a hidden treasure? Get ready to experience a taste of pure happiness with every bite!

Ingredients:

• For the Peanut Butter Cookie Dough:
• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup creamy peanut butter
• For the Peanut Butter Filling:
• 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
• 1 tablespoon milk
• For the Jelly Filling:
• 1/2 cup your favorite jelly or jam (grape, strawberry, or raspberry work well)

Making the Peanut Butter Cookie Dough:

1. Cream the Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl (or the bowl of a stand mixer), cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. This usually takes about 3-5 minutes. Make sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl occasionally to ensure everything is evenly mixed. This step is crucial for achieving a soft and chewy cookie!
2. Add the Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Then, stir in the vanilla extract. The mixture should be smooth and well combined.
3. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Whisking ensures that the baking soda and baking powder are evenly distributed throughout the flour, which will help the cookies rise properly.
4. Gradually Add Dry Ingredients to Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can result in tough cookies. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, which can make the cookies hard.
5. Stir in Peanut Butter: Add the creamy peanut butter and mix until fully incorporated. The dough will be thick and slightly sticky. Don’t worry, that’s exactly what we want!
6. Chill the Dough: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and chill the dough in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. Chilling the dough helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much during baking and also allows the flavors to meld together. You can chill it for longer, even overnight, if you prefer. If chilling overnight, let the dough sit at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes before scooping.

Preparing the Peanut Butter Filling:

1. Combine Ingredients: In a small bowl, combine the peanut butter, powdered sugar, softened butter, and milk.
2. Mix Until Smooth: Mix with an electric mixer or by hand until smooth and creamy. If the filling is too thick, add a tiny bit more milk, a teaspoon at a time, until you reach the desired consistency. If it’s too thin, add a little more powdered sugar.
3. Set Aside: Set the peanut butter filling aside until you’re ready to assemble the cookies.

Assembling and Baking the Cookies:

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. Parchment paper helps prevent the cookies from sticking and makes cleanup easier.
2. Scoop the Dough: Scoop out about 2 tablespoons of cookie dough for each cookie. I like to use a cookie scoop to ensure uniform size, but you can also use a spoon.
3. Flatten and Indent: Gently flatten each dough ball into a disc. Use your thumb or the back of a spoon to create a well in the center of each disc. This well will hold the fillings.
4. Fill with Peanut Butter Filling: Spoon about 1 teaspoon of the peanut butter filling into the well of half of the cookie dough discs. Be careful not to overfill, or the filling might spill out during baking.
5. Fill with Jelly: Spoon about 1 teaspoon of your favorite jelly or jam into the well of the remaining cookie dough discs. Again, don’t overfill!
6. Top and Seal: Carefully place a jelly-filled cookie dough disc on top of a peanut butter-filled cookie dough disc. Gently pinch the edges together to seal the cookies completely. Make sure the edges are well sealed to prevent the filling from leaking out during baking. You can also roll the sealed cookies gently between your palms to smooth them out.
7. Bake: Place the assembled cookies on the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches of space between each cookie. Bake for 9-11 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown. The centers may still look slightly soft, but they will firm up as they cool.
8. Cool: Remove the baking sheets from the oven and let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This helps prevent the cookies from breaking apart while they are still warm and soft.
9. Enjoy: Once the cookies are completely cooled, they are ready to enjoy! These cookies are best enjoyed within a few days, but they can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.

Tips for Perfect PB&J Stuffed Cookies:

• Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Using room temperature butter and eggs will help the ingredients combine more easily and create a smoother dough.
• Don’t Overmix the Dough: Overmixing the dough can result in tough cookies. Mix until just combined.
• Chill the Dough: Chilling the dough is essential for preventing the cookies from spreading too much during baking.
• Seal the Edges Well: Make sure to seal the edges of the cookies completely to prevent the filling from leaking out.
• Don’t Overbake: Overbaking will result in dry, crumbly cookies. Bake until the edges are lightly golden brown.
• Experiment with Different Fillings: Feel free to experiment with different types of jelly or jam, or even try using Nutella or other spreads.
• Add Chocolate Chips: For an extra touch of indulgence, add chocolate chips to the cookie dough.
• Make Them Gluten-Free: Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend for a gluten-free version.

Variations:

• Chocolate Peanut Butter & Jelly Cookies: Add 1/4 cup of cocoa powder to the dry ingredients for a chocolatey twist.
• Peanut Butter Cup Stuffed Cookies: Instead of the peanut butter filling, use mini peanut butter cups.
• Different Jellies: Try using different flavors of jelly or jam, such as apricot, blackberry, or fig.
• Nutella Stuffed Cookies: Replace the jelly with Nutella for a chocolate hazelnut twist.

Storage Instructions:

• Store the cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.
• You can also freeze the cookies for up to 2 months. Thaw them at room temperature before serving.

Conclusion:

And there you have it! These PB and J Stuffed Cookies are truly something special, a delightful twist on a classic combination that’s guaranteed to bring a smile to your face. I know, I know, there are a million cookie recipes out there, but trust me on this one. The soft, chewy peanut butter cookie exterior, hiding that gooey, warm pocket of sweet jelly, is an experience you won’t soon forget. It’s the perfect balance of textures and flavors, a nostalgic treat elevated to a whole new level of deliciousness.

But why is this recipe a must-try? It’s simple: it’s fun, it’s relatively easy to make, and the results are absolutely incredible. Think about it – you’re taking the comforting familiarity of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and transforming it into a decadent, shareable cookie. It’s a conversation starter, a crowd-pleaser, and a guaranteed hit at any gathering. Plus, it’s a fantastic way to get creative in the kitchen and experiment with different flavors and variations.

Speaking of variations, the possibilities are endless! Feel free to swap out the peanut butter for almond butter, cashew butter, or even sunflower seed butter for a nut-free option. As for the jelly, go wild! Strawberry is a classic, of course, but raspberry, grape, blackberry, or even a spicy pepper jelly would be absolutely divine. You could even use different flavors of jelly in the same batch for a fun and colorful assortment.

For serving suggestions, these cookies are perfect on their own, warm from the oven with a cold glass of milk. But if you’re feeling extra indulgent, try crumbling them over vanilla ice cream or using them to make ice cream sandwiches. They’re also fantastic with a cup of coffee or tea for an afternoon treat. And if you’re looking for a unique dessert to bring to a potluck or party, these PB and J Stuffed Cookies are sure to be a hit.

Serving Suggestions:

• Warm from the oven with a glass of milk
• Crumbled over vanilla ice cream
• Used to make ice cream sandwiches
• Paired with coffee or tea

Variations:

• Substitute almond butter, cashew butter, or sunflower seed butter for peanut butter
• Experiment with different jelly flavors (raspberry, grape, blackberry, pepper jelly)
• Add chocolate chips to the peanut butter cookie dough
• Sprinkle the tops of the cookies with sea salt before baking

I truly believe that everyone should experience the joy of biting into one of these cookies. The combination of flavors and textures is simply irresistible, and the satisfaction of creating something so delicious from scratch is incredibly rewarding. So, what are you waiting for? Gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and get ready to embark on a culinary adventure.

I’m so excited for you to try this recipe and experience the magic of these PB and J Stuffed Cookies for yourself. And more importantly, I want to hear all about your experience! Did you try any fun variations? Did you have any baking mishaps (we all do!)? What did your friends and family think? Please, share your photos, comments, and stories in the comments section below. I can’t wait to see what you create! Happy baking!

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