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A classic flavor pairing, but in cookie form! These peanut butter and jelly cookies are extra soft and delicious, each with a strawberry jam core and peanut butter drizzle on top.

If you love these flavors as much as I do, youโ€™ll also have to try these peanut butter and jelly bars! Another great recipe is this peanut butter fudge, if youโ€™re wanting a dessert thatโ€™s nutty and creamy.

Hero image of peanut butter and jelly cookies.

Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookies Recipe

With these treats youโ€™ve got the creamy, nutty goodness of peanut butter getting cozy with the sweet and fruity strawberry jam, all packed into a soft and chewy cookie. Itโ€™s like taking your favorite childhood sandwich and turning it into an amazing dessert.

These cookies have the perfect flavor and texture. Theyโ€™re soft on the inside, slightly crispy on the edgesโ€”pure cookie perfection. Trust me, these treats arenโ€™t just for the kiddos; adults will be just as obsessed. Donโ€™t miss out on the chance to relive those nostalgic flavors and treat yourself to a batch of these fantastic cookies!

Ingredients Youโ€™ll Need

These peanut butter and jelly cookies are a delightful fusion of nutty peanut butter, sweet strawberry jam, and soft, chewy goodness. With just a handful of common baking ingredients, youโ€™ll be on your way to creating a batch of irresistible cookies that will have everyone coming back for more.

  • Creamy Peanut Butter: Brings a rich and nutty flavor to the cookies. Itโ€™s what makes these cookies so darn peanut-buttery and irresistible.
    Granulated Sugar: Sweetness in its purest form! This is the stuff that adds that perfect touch of sweetness to balance out the peanut butter and jam. Itโ€™s the secret ingredient that gives these cookies their addictive taste.
  • Brown Sugar: Packed with a caramel-like goodness, brown sugar brings a deep, rich flavor and a touch of moistness to the cookies. Itโ€™s what gives them that soft and chewy texture we all love.
  • Unsalted Butter: Adds a rich and creamy flavor to the dough, making the cookies oh-so-delicious.
  • Eggs: They bring moisture, richness, and structure to the dough, so that each cookie turns out perfectly soft and chewy.
  • Vanilla Extract: A splash of vanilla extract adds a sweet and aromatic kick to the peanut butter and jelly cookies, making them even more mouthwatering.
  • Baking Soda and Powder: Helps the cookies rise and become nice and fluffy.
  • Salt: A pinch of salt balances out the sweetness and makes all the flavors pop.
  • All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and thickness to the dough.
  • Strawberry Jam: This sweet and fruity jam is the ultimate surprise inside each cookie. Itโ€™s so delicious!

How to Make Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookies

These cookies are a breeze to make, even for beginner bakers. With straightforward steps and basic pantry ingredients, youโ€™ll have a batch of delicious peanut butter and jelly cookies in no time, satisfying your sweet tooth with minimal effort.

  1. Preheat Oven, Prepare Baking Sheets: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
  2. Sugar Mixture: In a stand mixer, or using a hand mixer, cream together the peanut butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and butter. Add in the eggs and vanilla and mix until combined.
  3. Add Dry Ingredients: Add the baking soda, baking powder, salt, and flour and mix until just incorporated.
  4. Shape Cookies: Use a medium cookie scoop (about 3 tablespoons) to scoop balls of dough. Then place them on one of the baking sheets leaving 2 inches between them and use the back of a tablespoon to press an indent in the center of them. Fill the indent with a scant teaspoon of jam.
  5. Bake: Bake for 12-14 minutes, until the edges are just barely starting to brown. Then remove from the oven and let the cookies cool on the pan completely before transferring to a cooling rack.ย 
  6. Cool: Once the cookies have cooled, if you would like to you may melt some peanut butter in the microwave and drizzle it across the cookies.
4-photo collage of cookie dough and filling being prepared.

Tips and Tricks

Here are a few extra ways to make sure your peanut butter and jelly cookies turn out perfectly!

  • Use a Different Jam: The strawberry jam can be substituted for your favorite kind! Raspberry, grape, or apricot are popular choices.ย 
  • Swap Creamy Peanut Butter for Chunky: If you prefer chunky peanut butter, go ahead and try using it instead of the creamy peanut butter. This will add a nice crunch to the cookies.
  • Adjust Cooking Time: The baking time may need to be adjusted according to the size of your cookies. If they are smaller, they will bake a little bit faster, and if they are bigger they will need a couple more minutes. The cookies will be quite soft when they come out of the oven and wonโ€™t be able to be lifted up. They need to cool completely on the baking sheet before they will be ready to pick up.
  • Donโ€™t Overbake: Donโ€™t over bake the cookies! The edges should be barely browned. The cookies will continue to cook as they cool on the pan.
6 peanut butter and jelly cookies on a stone slab.

Storing Leftovers

These cookies will keep for up to 3 days at room temperature in an airtight container.ย 

If you would like to freeze the dough, I recommend scooping it out and forming the indent before freezing. To bake, remove them from the freezer and set on a parchment lined baking sheet to thaw. Once thawed, fill the indent with jam and bake as directed.

Closeup of a cookie with a bite taken out of it.

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Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookies

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A classic flavor pairing, but in cookie form! These peanut butter and jelly cookies are extra soft and delicious, each with a strawberry jam core and peanut butter drizzle on top.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 8 minutes
Total Time: 18 minutes
Servings: 18 Cookies

Ingredientsย 

  • 1 cup cream peanut butter additional for drizzle if desired
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup brown sugar packed
  • 1 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 2 large eggs room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ยฝ teaspoon salt
  • 2 ยฝ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup strawberry jam

Instructionsย 

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees fahrenheit. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
  • In a stand mixer, or using a hand mixer, cream together the peanut butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and butter. Add in the eggs and vanilla and mix until combined.
  • Add the baking soda, baking powder, salt, and flour and mix until just incorporated.
  • Use a medium cookie scoop (about 3 tablespoons) to scoop balls of dough. Place them on one of the baking sheets leaving 2 inches between them and use the back of a tablespoon to press an indent in the center of them. Fill the indent with a scant teaspoon of jam.
  • Bake for 12-14 minutes, until the edges are just barely starting to brown. Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool on the pan completely before transferring to a cooling rack.
  • Once the cookies have cooled, if you would like to you may melt some peanut butter in the microwave and drizzle it across the cookies.

Nutrition

Calories: 389kcalCarbohydrates: 53gProtein: 6gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0.4gCholesterol: 45mgSodium: 205mgPotassium: 163mgFiber: 1gSugar: 34gVitamin A: 342IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 39mgIron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Tried this recipe?Mention @alyssa_therecipecritic or tag #therecipecritic!

About Alyssa Rivers

Alyssa Rivers is the author of 'The Tried and True Cookbook', a professional food photographer, experienced recipe-developer and American Culinary Federation certified. Having a passion for cooking, her tried and true recipes have been featured on Good Morning America, Today Food, Buzzfeed and more.

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  1. This recipe made as directed did not turn out. The cookie flattened out quite a bit and the jam ran all over. They tasted fine but looked very unappetizing. So after the first batch I decided to bake them for 6 minutes, then take them out of the oven, make a little indent with the back of a spoon in each one, and continued baking them for the remaining time. They turned out so much better!!