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    Home » Sweets

    Peanut Butter and Jelly Thumbprint Cookies

    August 21, 2020 by Chenée Lewis

    334 shares
    Peanut Butter and Jelly Thumbprint Cookies Recipe | Chenée Today
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    Growing up, my favorite lunch was a peanut butter and jelly sandwich -- and it's still one of my favorite comfort food snacks! These thumbprint cookies bring you and your family all the flavors of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, in a soft, delicious cookie! They have a peanut butter cookie base, they're filled with sweet strawberry jam (or the jelly, jam, or preserves of your choice), and finished off with the sweet crunch of turbinado sugar. They're a perfect sweet, soft, and crunchy combination! And the best part is -- they're so easy to make!

    Ingredients

    These peanut butter and jelly thumbprint cookies are a breeze to make. They only require a handful of ingredients:

    • brown sugar - I used light brown sugar, but you can opt for dark brown sugar for a little boost of flavor!
    • salted butter - salted butter adds a little boost of flavor. Your butter should be room temperature so that it indents easily when pressed with your finger, but still pretty cool to the touch and not too soft.
    • creamy peanut butter - I just used a basic traditional creamy peanut butter -- I haven't tried this recipe with a natural peanut butter or with a crunchy variety, but if you do let me know your results in the comments!
    • one egg - should be room temperature
    • pure vanilla extract - adds that perfect vanilla flavor.
    • all-purpose flour - measured using the spoon-and-level method, or (my preference) by weight: 224 grams
    • baking soda - gives a little lift to our cookies!
    • ⅓  cup turbinado sugar - to coat the outside of our cookies. I like the crunch of turbinado sugar You can also use granulated sugar and your cookies will be just as delicious and have a slightly softer texture.
    • jelly, jam, or preserves -- I used seedless strawberry jam.

    Equipment

    As with any cookies, I recommend my favorite Nordicware sheet pan and Silpat baking mat to line it. And to make the "thumbprint" indentation, you'll also need the back of a wooden spoon or spatula, or as I mention below, a cork!

    Related Recipes

    These peanut butter and jelly thumbprint cookies are so good! So I don't blame you for looking for other recipes that are just as good! You should definitely check out my Salted Caramel Cinnamon Thumbprint Cookies for a similar style of cookie that is so soft and decadent!

    You should also check out my raspberry white chocolate blondies -- they've got a fresh fruit flavor you'll love and they're packed with white chocolate. So good!!

    Best Easy Salted Caramel Cinnamon Thumbprint Cookies Recipe - Chenée Today caramel cinnamon thumbprints
    Salted Caramel Cinnamon Thumbprint Cookies
    Peanut Butter and Jelly Thumbprint Cookies Recipe | Chenée Today

    Peanut Butter and Jelly Thumbprint Cookies

    Print Pin Recipe Rate Recipe
    These easy peanut butter and jelly cookies are an easy thumbprint cookie recipe for an after-school snack! Rolled in crunchy turbinado sugar and so easy to make!
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 13 minutes
    Total Time: 28 minutes
    Course: Dessert, Snack
    Cuisine :American
    Servings: 24 cookies
    Calories: 122kcal
    Recipe Source: Chenée Lewis

    Equipment you may need

    • hand mixer
    • stand mixer
    • rubber spatula
    • wooden spoon
    • ¾ sheet baking pan
    • silicone baking mat
    • food scale
    • parchment paper
    • mixing bowls
    • measuring cups and spoons
    • cooling rack

    Ingredients

    • ⅔ cup light brown sugar - packed
    • 6 tablespoon salted butter - room temperature
    • ⅓ cup creamy peanut butter
    • 1 large egg - room temperature
    • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
    • 1 ¾ cup all-purpose flour - spooned and leveled (224g)
    • ½ teaspoon baking soda
    • ⅓ cup turbinado sugar - for rolling (granulated sugar also works)
    • ⅓ cup jam - or jelly or preserves of your choice -- I used seedless strawberry jam

    Instructions

    • Cream butter and brown sugar until smooth. Add peanut butter and mix for another one minute.
    • Mix in egg and vanilla until smooth.
    • In a separate bowl, whisk together flour and baking soda.
    • Fold dry ingredients into wet ingredients and mix until just combined.
    • Scoop out dough by tablespoons and roll in your hands to form into balls. Roll in turbinado sugar and place at least 2 inches apart on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
    • Use the back of a wooden spoon, a cork, or your thumb to make an indentation in the center of each cookie.
    • Place baking sheet in freezer to chill for 15 minutes while you preheat your oven to 350°F.
    • Heat jam or preserves in a microwave-safe bowl for 30-45 seconds or until they are slightly warm and texture is loosened; stir.
    • Remove cookie sheet from freezer and drop jam by ½ teaspoons into well in each cookie. Indentations should be filled to the very top to accommodate any cookie spreading.
    • Bake cookies in preheated oven for 13 minutes, or until lightly browned. Cool completely.

    Notes

    Peanut butter: I used regular creamy peanut butter for this recipe. I found that the oil and sugar content of regular peanut butter worked best.  Let me know if you try it with another type of peanut butter!
    Filling indents: Be sure to fill the thumbprints to the top (or a little bit over) to account for any spreading of the cookies as they bake.
    Chilling: The chilling step is very important to keep these cookies from spreading -- make sure you freeze the cookies on the cookie sheet at least 15 minutes before filling with jam. Also, be sure to let your cookie sheet cool to room temperature before adding a second batch. If you need to take a break while baking these, place any extra dough in the fridge to avoid heating too much.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1 cookie | Calories: 122 kcal | Carbohydrates: 18 g | Protein: 2 g | Fat: 5 g | Saturated Fat: 2 g | Cholesterol: 15 mg | Sodium: 70 mg | Potassium: 46 mg | Fiber: 0.5 g | Sugar: 9 g | Calcium: 8 mg | Iron: 1 mg
    Nutrition Disclaimer
    Tags: easy thumbprint cookies, jam cookies, jam cookies thumbprint, jam thumbprint cookies, jelly filled cookies, jelly thumbprint cookies, pb&j cookies, pb&j thumbprint cookies, peanut butter and jam cookies, peanut butter and jelly, peanut butter and jelly cookie, peanut butter and jelly cookies, peanut butter and jelly cookies recipe, peanut butter and jelly recipe, peanut butter and jelly thumbprint cookies, peanut butter jelly cookie, peanut butter thumbprints cookies, strawberry jam cookies, thumbprint cookies easy
    Did you try this recipe? Rate it below!I can't wait to see (and share) your results! Follow me on Instagram at @chenee_today and tag #cheneetoday!

    PIN these peanut butter and jelly thumbprint cookies for later!

    Last Updated on May 26, 2022 by Chenée Lewis

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    334 shares

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    1. Crystal

      September 03, 2020 at 2:02 am

      5 stars
      I made these with my 2 year old daughter and we had so much fun! Not only were they easy to make, they were delicious! My son just started kindergarten so she’s missing her brother during the day! Making these with her was the perfect way to cheer her up!

      Reply
      • Chenée Lewis

        September 03, 2020 at 4:25 am

        I'm so glad your time together making these helped her to feel better! Thanks for trying them out 🙂

        Reply
    2. Marta

      September 02, 2020 at 9:06 pm

      5 stars
      I loved these PB&J Cookies! They were a treat that reminded me of childhood!

      Reply
      • Chenée Lewis

        September 03, 2020 at 4:25 am

        Thank you! I'm so glad you enjoyed them!

        Reply
    3. Chef Mireille

      September 01, 2020 at 2:28 pm

      5 stars
      PB&J in cookie form - OMG - this is so good - I never thought of combining them before but definitely a great cookie to make as a holiday cookie exchange this year

      Reply
      • Chenée Lewis

        September 02, 2020 at 5:07 am

        Oh yeah -- these would be great for the holidays! Glad you enjoyed!

        Reply
    4. Britney

      September 01, 2020 at 12:16 am

      5 stars
      We adored this recipe! Peanut butter and jelly always reminds me of child hood so to have this in a cookie was just mind blowing! Excellent recipe

      Reply
      • Chenée Lewis

        September 02, 2020 at 5:07 am

        Thanks! It definitely takes me back as well!

        Reply
    5. Capri Lilly

      August 31, 2020 at 11:11 pm

      5 stars
      I love thumbprint cookies! This combination of peanut butter and jelly is bringing back so many great memories! Thanks for the recipe

      Reply
      • Chenée Lewis

        September 02, 2020 at 5:07 am

        Thank you! I love this combination too! 🙂

        Reply
    6. Tamara

      August 31, 2020 at 3:31 pm

      5 stars
      These cookies took me straight back to my Granny’s house as a child! They were so easy to make and they were absolutely delicious.

      Reply
      • Chenée Lewis

        August 31, 2020 at 5:28 pm

        I'm so glad they brought back such nice memories! They're such a fun nostalgic snack. Glad you enjoyed! 🙂

        Reply
    7. Kaluhi

      August 31, 2020 at 10:06 am

      5 stars
      These look really Dainty! I love that use two types of sugar and brown sugar in particular really does pair well with peanut butter.

      Reply
      • Chenée Lewis

        August 31, 2020 at 5:29 pm

        I agree! I love brown sugar in peanut butter cookies.

        Reply
    8. Adri Ruff

      August 31, 2020 at 1:30 am

      5 stars
      Your recipes never disappoint and these were no different. My family is already asking me to make them again!

      Reply
      • Chenée Lewis

        August 31, 2020 at 5:29 pm

        Thank you so much!! I'm so glad your family enjoyed these!

        Reply
    9. Samantha

      August 30, 2020 at 10:57 pm

      5 stars
      I made these cookies for my brother since he's a huge fan of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Now he's a fan of these cookies!

      Reply
      • Chenée Lewis

        August 31, 2020 at 5:30 pm

        I'm so glad he liked them!! Thanks for trying out the recipe 🙂

        Reply
    10. Desirée

      August 29, 2020 at 7:35 pm

      5 stars
      I love thumbprint cookies! These were the perfect combination!

      Reply
      • Chenée Lewis

        August 29, 2020 at 9:35 pm

        Thanks! Peanut butter and jelly are so classic together! 🙂

        Reply
    11. Nadia W

      August 27, 2020 at 6:07 pm

      5 stars
      Peanut butter? I'm in! I can see myself enjoying these peanut butter & jelly thumbprint cookies, with a cup of a hot cup of tea.

      Reply
      • Chenée Lewis

        August 27, 2020 at 10:15 pm

        They would be amazing with tea!! I hope you enjoy! 🙂

        Reply
    12. Renia

      August 26, 2020 at 6:36 pm

      5 stars
      These cookies are perfect for little hands. I substituted the peanut butter for sunbutter and they were divine!

      Reply
      • Chenée Lewis

        August 26, 2020 at 10:17 pm

        Sounds delicious! Glad you enjoyed them 🙂

        Reply
      • Natasha Wells

        September 02, 2020 at 9:20 pm

        5 stars
        Can you say delicious....you had me at peanut butter! That crystallized sugar on top and that filling in the middle is giving me life! I’m a sweet fanatic.....can’t you tell lol!

        Reply
        • Chenée Lewis

          September 03, 2020 at 4:25 am

          I'm right there with you! Huge sweet tooth here!

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    About Chenée

    I’m Chenée (kinda rhymes with “today”) and I love all types of baking! But my favorite recipes are ones that are quick and easy, and still yield impressive results. The ones you can't help but make again and again! That's what I share here, and I hope I can make your baking life a little easier along the way. MORE ABOUT CHENÉE >>

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