Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies

Yields eighteen 2-1/2-inch sandwiches.

To learn more, read:
The Only Peanut Butter Cookie You’ll Ever Want
by Linda Weber
from Fine Cooking
Issue 43
Last Edit Date: 12/10/2012 10:31:28 AM

This peanut butter cookie is head and shoulders above the others; it’s a hefty sandwich cookie with great peanut flavor in both the chocolate-flecked cream filling and the crunchy-light cookie. This recipe can be mixed by hand or in an electric mixer—just be sure to use smooth peanut butter rather than chunky. You'll get good results with Skippy.

more about:

For the cookies:

6 oz. (1-1/3 cups) all-purpose flour
2 oz. (2/3 cup) cake flour
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
6 oz. (12 Tbs.) unsalted butter, completely softened at room temperature
3/4 cup smooth peanut butter
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1 large egg

For the filling:

1-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
3 oz. (6 Tbs.) unsalted butter, softened at room temperature
3/4 cup smooth peanut butter
3 Tbs. heavy cream
1/4 cup coarsely chopped roasted unsalted peanuts
1/4 cup coarsely chopped semisweet chocolate, or mini semisweet chocolate chips

To make the cookies

Heat the oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment. In a medium bowl, sift together the two flours, baking soda, and salt. In the bowl of an electric mixer, cream the butter, peanut butter, and sugars with the paddle attachment until light and fluffy. Add the vanilla and egg; continue creaming until smooth and fluffy, about 3 minutes with an electric mixer (longer by hand). Stir in the flour mixture by hand just until it's incorporated; don't overmix or the cookies will be tough. Drop heaping tablespoonfuls of batter, spaced about 2 inches apart, onto the lined baking sheets. With floured fingers, flatten each dab of batter into a 2-inch round. Bake until the cookies are puffed and golden, 12 to 14 minutes, rotating the baking sheets if needed for even baking. Transfer the cookies to a rack to cool.

Instead of cross-hatching with a fork, use your fingers to press and decorate.

While the cookies cool, make the filling

In a small bowl, cream the confectioners' sugar, butter, and peanut butter until smooth. Add the heavy cream; continue creaming until smooth and fluffy. Stir in the chopped peanuts and chocolate.

To assemble

Transfer the cooled cookies to a work surface, flipping half of them over. With an offset spatula or a butter knife, spread a scant teaspoon of filling onto each turned-over cookie. Set another wafer on top of each filled cookie, pressing gently to spread the filling. Store sealed at room temperature or in the refrigerator.

An offset spatula is handy for spreading the cookie filling easily and evenly. A blunt table knife works, too.

nutrition information (per serving):
Size : per cookie; Calories (kcal): 390; Fat (g): 25; Fat Calories (kcal): 230; Saturated Fat (g): 11; Protein (g): 8; Monounsaturated Fat (g): 10; Carbohydrates (g): 36; Polyunsaturated Fat (g): 4; Sodium (mg): 290; Cholesterol (mg): 45; Fiber (g): 2;

Photo: Anna Williams

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by JerseyGirl123, 12/23/2011I somehow got an older version of this recipe when I printed it out so mine didn't turn out as good. They definitely need the entire 12 - 14 minutes to cook and you also really need to press them down. They don't spread very much. I will try them again by pressing them down and cooking a little longer. Mine were a bit chewy.

by Heidi_Sue, 9/4/2011Superb, as are most Fine Cooking recipes! An interesting twist on the classic peanut butter cookie recipe, and the addition of chocolate in the filling is very good.

by RenBri66, 12/18/2008

by lisameier, 12/6/2008

by csipurs, 9/13/2008This recipe is fantastic. Every time I make these cookies they're usually gone within seconds. I agree with the review about using cake flour. It just makes them a little more fluffy and chewy which is the way I prefer my cookies. Even though they are extremely rich, I've drizzled chocolate over the top of them. Now, that may seem a little over the top, but I've never heard any complaints!

by whatscooking, 4/23/2008We love these cookies. But they are so rich with the filling that we usually have them without and they still get raves. The cake flour makes them really tender.

by FreddieFlea, 10/5/2007I've made these cookies since they first came out in Fine Cooking several years ago. The cookies are great, with the filling, they are spectacular. I get requests to bring them all the time. Highly recommended. Anne Gomes