MAKE IT CUTE

If you’re more into bringing along a bagged lunch than waiting in line, there’s a solid chance that “back to school” means you’re back to a year’s worth of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. It’s one of the *tastiest* combos in the world, but constantly keeping your spreads between two slices of bread gets a lil’ boring. Ready for a sweet spin? Here’s how to make a delish batch of PB&J sandwich cookies:

What you’ll need:

For the cookies:
½ cup softened butter
½ cup chunky peanut butter (or smooth, if that’s more your style)
½ cup sugar
½ cup brown sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup flour
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon baking powder
¾ cup quick oats

For the filling:

¼ cup creamy peanut butter
½ cup powdered sugar
2 tablespoons butter, softened
1 tablespoon milk
⅓ cup jam (traditional grape or your fave flavor)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Spray two large baking sheets with cooking spray OR line them with parchment paper.

3. To make the cookies, add the flour, baking soda, salt and baking powder to a small bowl and whisk until combined.

4. Add the butter and first portion of peanut butter to a large bowl and use an electric mixer to mix until smooth. Blend in the sugars, add the egg and vanilla and mix until they’re incorporated. 

5. Set the electric mixer to low speed and mix in the flour mixture. Once that’s combined, use a spoon to stir in the oats.

6. Spoon balls of dough onto your baking sheets. Place them two inches apart, and use a fork to create a crisscross pattern on top of each. Make sure the dough is about ¼ inch thick. 

7. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, then let the cookies rest for a minute. Move them to a wire rack to cool completely.

8. To make the filling, use your electric mixer to whip together the powdered sugar, second portion of peanut butter, butter and milk. Mix until smooth.

9. Flip over half of your cooled cookies, and spread two tablespoons of filling on each. Then, flip over the other half and spread one teaspoon of jam on each. 

This recipe makes 16 scrumptious sandwiches. Believe it when we say that you’ll want to make a second batch.

Have any other tasty takes on PB&J? Reveal your recipes in the comments below!

Recipe and photo credit: Jen's Favorite Cookies.

by Megan Sawey | 8/31/2016