Your Favourite Childhood Sandwich, in Cookie Form In celebration of National Peanut Butter & Jelly Day, we're sharing one of our all-time favourite cookie recipes: PB&J Thumbprint Cookies. These are soft, yielding peanut butter cookies with a little well of sweet, jammy filling in the centre. The key: slightly underbake them. Pull from the oven when the edges are just set and the centre still looks a little soft. They'll firm up as they cool and stay tender for days.

Ingredients

• 1¼ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¾ cup smooth peanut butter
• ½ cup (1 stick) butter, softened
• ⅓ cup packed brown sugar
• ⅓ cup granulated sugar, plus extra for rolling
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ cup jam (raspberry, strawberry, or grape)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a small bowl.
3. Beat peanut butter and butter in a large bowl until smooth. Add both sugars and beat until fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla. Gradually stir in flour mixture until a soft dough forms.
4. Roll dough into 1-inch balls, then roll each ball in granulated sugar.
5. Place on baking sheet 2 inches apart. Press a deep thumb indent into each cookie.
6. Bake 10-12 minutes until edges are set. The centre will look underdone - that's correct. Immediately press the indent again if it has puffed up. Fill each with ½ teaspoon of jam.
7. Cool completely on the baking sheet - the jam will set as the cookies cool.

Flavour Variations

Grape jelly - the most classic PB&J combination. Raspberry jam - slight tartness balances the rich peanut butter perfectly. Strawberry jam - a brighter, fruitier profile. Chocolate hazelnut spread - skip the jam entirely and fill with Nutella. Lemon curd - surprisingly excellent, the citrus cuts through the richness of the peanut butter.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is a thumbprint cookie? A small round cookie with a well pressed into the centre, filled with jam, chocolate, caramel, or another topping. How do you keep thumbprint cookies soft? Slightly underbaking is the most important factor. Store in an airtight container at room temperature with a slice of bread to maintain moisture. Can I use crunchy peanut butter? You can, but smooth peanut butter produces the best dough consistency and most even bake.

Try your favourite childhood sandwich, in cookie form with mixing tips, make-ahead options, and storage guidance that keeps the finish reliable.

Make-Ahead Tips

For many dessert recipes, the easiest make-ahead move is to prepare the dough or batter in advance, cover it well, and chill it until you are ready to bake. Chilling can also improve texture and help flavor develop, especially when the recipe includes butter, brown sugar, or spices.

Storage Notes

Once fully cool, transfer the finished bake to an airtight container so it holds its texture and flavor longer. Soft cookies and bars usually keep best at room temperature for a few days, while longer storage is often easiest in the freezer with layers separated so nothing sticks together.

Related ideas to explore next If you want to keep building on this topic, good next reads include Recipe Blue Ribbon Chocolate Chip Cookies, Recipe Lacy Oatmeal Cookies, and National Cookie Month 31 Days 31 Cookies. They are useful for comparing techniques, finding adjacent inspiration, or choosing a Mrs. Fields option that fits a different craving or occasion.