My peanut butter and jelly cookies are made thumbprint style, so you'll taste that classic combination in every bite! With just nine ingredients, no chilling the dough, and a quick bake time, you're just a few minutes away from this comforting sweet treat.
And if you enjoy this recipe, you'll love my peanut butter and jelly smoothie bowl, too!
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❤️ Why You'll Love this Recipe
Quick and Easy - These easy peanut butter and jelly thumbprint cookies come together in less than 30 minutes with no mixer, no chill time, and no fuss. Just a few staple ingredients you already have in your kitchen.
Nostalgic PB&J Flavor - My favorite cookies with peanut butter and jelly have a chewy texture that's just slightly crumbly, and balanced perfectly by the pools of jam in the middle. You'll taste the cozy flavors of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich: toasty, nutty peanuts and sweet and tart jelly, plus subtle notes of brown sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla.
👉🏾 If you are looking for creative cookie ideas, check out my chewy tahini sugar cookies, bourbon chocolate chip cookies, pumpkin snickerdoodles, and unique peanut butter cookies with chai spice next!
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Featured Reader Review
★★★★★
"These are my favorite! SO yummy!"
-Amanda
What You'll Need for this Recipe
Peanut Butter, of course. You can use creamy or crunchy peanut butter in this recipe, but I've found that creamy peanut butter provides a better texture. I've also tested several brands, from Jif and Skippy to store brand and freshly-ground PB--they all work well--just make sure it's unflavored.
Jelly, jam, or preserves all work well here. I've used classic grape jelly, strawberry jam, pineapple preserves, and cherry preserves with great results!
Brown Sugar helps keep these cookies soft for a pleasing melt-in-your-mouth effect.
Check out the recipe card below for full ingredients list, measurements, nutrition facts, and step-by-step instructions!
Substitutions & Variations
PB&J Combinations - You can mix and match creamy and crunchy peanut butter with different flavors of jelly, jam, and preserves to create an assortment of combinations in one batch of cookies!
Size - Double up the dough to make jumbo-sized cookies.
Vegan - Use dairy-free, plant-based butter and an egg-free alternative to make these cookies vegan.
How to Make Peanut Butter Jelly Cookies from Scratch
- Step One: Whisk the flour, salt, and cinnamon together. (Photo 1)
- Step Two: Combine the peanut butter, butter, brown sugar, egg yolk, and vanilla in another bowl. (Photo 2)
Pro Tip #1
Make sure your butter is softened to room temperature so that the wet ingredients come together easily and result in a smooth mix.
- Step Three: Combine the wet and dry mixtures into a cookie dough, then scoop it onto a lined cookie sheet. (Photos 3 and 4)
- Step Four: Use your thumb or a teaspoon to press a well into the center of each ball of cookie dough, then spoon a bit of jam into each well. (Photos 5 and 6)
Pro Tip #2
A measuring teaspoon, typically used for baking, makes the perfect size thumbprint!
- Step Five: Bake the cookies at 350°F for 10 to 12 minutes or until golden and just set. (Photo 7)
Pro Tip #3
Be sure to let the cookies cool to room temperature to allow the jam to set!
Frequently Asked Questions
Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to four days, then move to the refrigerator for up to three more days.
To freeze, cool the cookies to room temperature, then transfer to an airtight, freezer-safe container before placing in the freezer. If you need to stack the cookies in the container, I recommend placing parchment paper or wax paper between each layer to keep them from sticking together. Keeps for up to three months.
How to Serve Peanut Butter Thumbprint Cookies with Jam
Temperature: These peanut butter and jelly filled cookies are best served at room temperature or just slightly warmed so that the jammy center remains set.
Pairings: Of course, they pair wonderfully with a glass of milk, but the hint of spice in the peanut butter cookie base is nicely enhanced by a warm mug of cinnamon tea or apple chai latte.
Occasions: Peanut butter jam print cookies make a simple but delicious dessert any time of year, but the hit even harder during the cozy Fall baking season and around the holidays. Set some out as peanut butter and jelly Christmas cookies for Santa, or include in your Christmas cookie box with Christmas cookie bars for a gift everybody will enjoy!
More Favorite Baking Recipes
Looking for more like this? Try these:
I hope you'll enjoy these peanut butter and jelly cookie cups soon and very soon. And sharing is caring, so be sure to pin this recipe for later and follow me over on Pinterest. Thanks for reading!
📖 Recipe
Peanut Butter and Jelly Thumbprint Cookies
Equipment
- 1 whisk
- 1 cookie scoop optional
Ingredients
- 1 cup peanut butter plus one tablespoon, creamy or crunchy
- ½ cup unsalted butter softened to room temperature
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¾ cup jelly or jam or preserves
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees fahrenheit. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
- Make the Cookie Dough: In a large mixing bowl, stir together the peanut butter, butter, brown sugar, egg yolk, and vanilla extract until smooth.1 cup peanut butter, ½ cup unsalted butter, ½ cup brown sugar, 1 egg yolk, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- In another bowl, whisk together the flour, sea salt, and cinnamon. Add flour mixture to peanut butter mixture and mix until a uniform dough forms.1 ½ cup all-purpose flour, ½ teaspoon fine sea salt, ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Shape and Fill the Cookie Dough: Divide the dough into 20 equal pieces, roll each piece of dough into a ball then place onto lined baking sheet, leaving at least two inches between each ball.
- Use either a spoon or your thumb to press the center of each cookie dough ball, slightly flattening it and leaving a well in the middle (a one-teaspoon measuring spoon works perfectly for this purpose). Spoon jelly, jam, or preserves into each well so that it sits just below the crest of the cookie dough. Don't overfill the cookies.¾ cup jelly
- Bake the Cookies: Transfer the pan to the oven and bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until cookies are golden brown and just set around the edges. Let the cookies cool to room temperature so that the jam can set before serving.
Simone says
We loved how soft the peanut butter cookies were and that jelly in the middle is so clever. My whole family is hooked!
Jazzmine Woodard says
Yay! Thanks for your feedback, Simone.
Latasha says
I loveeeee PB &J! I totally would try these cookies! 🙂
Brittany Comeaux says
I've got to try these for my son he will LOVE them. He basically lives off of PB&J.
Jazz says
Yes, they'd be perfect. Thanks for reading!
val says
Yum! My kids would probably try to eat these for lunch 🙂
Jazz says
Lol, I probably would have too back in the day! Thanks for stopping by!
Jessica says
Oooo yum! I make a similar cookie with jam in the middle, but the peanut butter looks like it would be really good!
Dawn says
Great idea! PB&J for the win, you cannot go wrong with this combo. These would be really fun to make with kiddos and the entire family.
Jazz says
Agreed! They're really easy to make and interactive. Thanks for stopping by!
Hetal says
omg yum! look super easy and thumbprint cookies are a classic!
21flavorsofsplendor says
Yum! These looked just as much fun to make as they would be to eat. I love PB&J sandwiches and this takes all those flavors to the next level.
The hungry homemaker says
I love thumbprint cookies! They're such a classic. I love the idea of doing peanut butter and jelly!
Amanda | The Golden Girl Diary says
These are my favorite! SO yummy!
xo, Amanda
ccmartie333 says
I'm just starting to learn to bake and I had no idea it really meant you use your thumb for these! Can't wait to give these a try!
Jazz says
Yes, that's part of what makes them so easy and fun! Best wishes on your baking journey. Thanks for reading!
Arushi says
These are so easy and delicious, i will surely be trying these ??
Momma To Go says
That actually looks easy enough for even a horrible baker like myself could do!
Madison Weaver says
Yumm!!? I just might have to make these for Christmas Day! Thanks for sharing!