Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are a classic, especially when it comes to kids and school lunches. I thought it would be fun to make a cookie version to celebrate the beginning of a new school year, which is in session on August 21 around here, three weeks from today!
I started by using my favorite peanut butter cookie recipe, but left out the baking soda because I wanted to roll these out and keep them more flat, especially since each sandwich was two cookies in one. I also made some half sandwiches, since the full sandwich is 3.5-inches square. (I made the whole sandwich cookie by using a gift cookie cutter and cutting off the bow across the top.)
Some of the cookies were cut in half before baking, but I like the effect better by cutting the cookie in half after it bakes. The cut edge looks more like bread as you can see above in the peanut butter and “Nutella” sandwich.
Since I will be shipping some of these cookies to my out-of-state munchkins I opted to use Wilton candy melts instead of actual jam/peanut butter/Nutella. The colors add a bit of whimsy.
It was a plus that I already had purple, red, chocolate and peanut butter candy melts in my pantry:) I have one grandson that loves peanut butter & Nutella sandwiches which gave me the idea to add the chocolate melts:) The peanut butter candy melts give these cookies a big, yummy peanut butter boost and look very much like the real thing!
These PB & J sandwich cookies turned out soft, chewy and delicious!
Pack some of these pb & j cookies in your child’s lunch alongside a real pb & j sandwich and I’m sure they’ll be a hit at the lunch table!
Have fun!
Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich Cookies
Preheat oven to 375 degrees
Mix together thoroughly:
1 cup butter (I usually use half shortening in this recipe, but I didn’t want any crispy edges.)
1 cup peanut butter
1 cup white sugar
1 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
I cream all of this together in my Kitchen Aid stand mixer and then mix in the dry ingredients:
3 cups all purpose flour (I usually use 2 1/2 cups, but added more flour for easier roll out.)
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
For decorating:
Red, purple, chocolate, peanut butter candy melts
Let dough chill a bit for easier handling.
Sprinkle some flour on your work surface and roll out your dough to desired thickness (I rolled out to about 1/4-inch thick (thinner than usual) since each sandwich is two cookies in one).
After cutting out desired shapes move to baking sheets with spatula. Cut some in half now or wait until they come out of the oven. {At his point I placed the baking sheets into the freezer for about 15 minutes to ensure that the cookies would keep their shape.}
Bake cookies about 13 minutes.
Let cool completely.
Melt the candy melts in the microwave according to package directions.
Spread some of the peanut butter (or chocolate) melts on one slice of “bread” and the purple or red candy melts on another slice, trying to match size/shape of the two cookies. Gently place one on top of the other, melted sides together. Let dry completely.
ENJOY!
Linked to:
Kitchen Fun and Crafty Friday
I’m Lovin’ it Party
Weekend Wrap Up Party
