Bring back childhood memories with every bite of these Nostalgic PB&J Thumbprint Cookies. Soft, buttery peanut butter cookies cradle a sweet dollop of your favorite jam, creating the classic flavor combination we all love. Finished with a swirl of melted peanut butter on top, these cookies are a playful, indulgent twist on the timeless sandwich. Perfect for family snack time, lunchbox treats, or casual dessert gatherings, they’re quick, easy, and guaranteed to delight both kids and adults.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Classic peanut butter and jelly flavors in a soft, bite-sized cookie
- Quick and simple to make—ready in under 30 minutes
- Perfect for kids’ lunchboxes, parties, or casual treats
- Versatile with any jam flavor of your choice
- Vegetarian-friendly and ideal for gifting or sharing
Ingredients
- Unsalted butter – Adds richness and keeps cookies tender
- Granulated sugar – Sweetens and creates lightly crisp edges
- Brown sugar – Provides moisture and chewiness
- Salt – Balances sweetness and enhances flavor
- Creamy peanut butter – The star ingredient for classic PB flavor and chewy texture
- Egg – Binds dough and helps cookies hold shape
- Vanilla extract – Enhances overall flavor
- All-purpose flour – Forms structure while keeping cookies soft
- Baking soda – Lightly leavens cookies for a soft, tender bite
- Grape jelly, strawberry jam, or raspberry jam – Provides sweet, fruity centers
- Melted peanut butter – Optional drizzle for a finishing touch
How to Make Nostalgic PB&J Thumbprint Cookies
Prep & Preheat
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line 1–2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
Make the Dough
In a large mixing bowl, cream together butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and salt until light and smooth. Add the egg, peanut butter, and vanilla extract, mixing until fully incorporated.
Incorporate Dry Ingredients
Fold the flour and baking soda into the wet mixture using a spatula or wooden spoon until a thick dough forms. Avoid overmixing to keep the cookies tender.
Shape & Fill
Scoop balls of dough using a cookie scooper and place them 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet. Use the concave side of the scooper (or your thumb) to create a small well in the center of each cookie. Fill each well with about 1 teaspoon of your chosen jam.
Bake
Bake for 13 minutes, until the edges are slightly browned and cookies have spread slightly. Allow to cool for 5 minutes on the baking sheet, then transfer to a wire cooling rack.
Optional Finishing Touch
Melt extra peanut butter and drizzle or pipe a swirl over each cookie for an extra peanut buttery finish.
Tips for Success
- Allow cookies to cool completely before storing to prevent jam from oozing.
- Experiment with different jams for unique flavor variations.
- Don’t overfill with jam to avoid spilling during baking.
- Use a cookie scoop for uniform size and even baking.
Equipment Needed
- Mixing bowls
- Electric hand mixer or whisk
- Rubber spatula or wooden spoon
- Baking sheets
- Parchment paper
- Cookie scooper
- Wire cooling rack
- Piping bag (optional for peanut butter drizzle)
Recipe Variations
- Mixed Berry Thumbprints: Combine raspberry and blueberry jams for a fruity twist.
- Chocolate PB&J: Add mini chocolate chips to the dough for extra indulgence.
- Almond Butter Version: Replace peanut butter with almond butter for a nutty variation.
- Mini Thumbprints: Make smaller cookies for bite-sized snacks or party trays.
Serving Suggestions
Pair these cookies with cold milk or hot chocolate for a nostalgic treat. Perfect for dessert platters, lunchboxes, or gifting in a cute tin.
FAQs
Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy?
Yes, but the cookies may have a slightly firmer texture.
Can I use frozen jam?
Yes, just thaw it and stir before filling the cookies.
How long do these cookies last?
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes, refrigerate the dough for up to 24 hours before baking.
Can I skip the peanut butter drizzle?
Absolutely—it’s optional and mainly for decoration and extra flavor.
Nostalgic PB&J Thumbprint Cookies
- Total Time: 28 minutes
- Yield: 12-15 cookies
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delicious nostalgic thumbprint cookies filled with your choice of grape jelly, strawberry jam, or raspberry jam.
Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter (1 stick)
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ cup grape jelly, strawberry jam, or raspberry jam
- Melted peanut butter for drizzling
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line 1–2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Cream together butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and salt.
- Add egg, peanut butter, and vanilla; mix until smooth.
- Fold in flour and baking soda until a thick dough forms.
- Scoop dough into balls and place 2 inches apart on baking sheets.
- Use scooper to flatten the center of each cookie, creating a well for the jam.
- Place 1 teaspoon of preserves in each cookie center.
- Bake 13 minutes until edges are slightly browned; cool 5 minutes then transfer to a wire rack.
- Melt extra peanut butter and drizzle or swirl on top of each cooled cookie.
Notes
- Allow cookies to cool completely before storing.
- Experiment with different fruit preserves for unique flavors.
- Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 13 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Final Thoughts
Nostalgic PB&J Thumbprint Cookies are the perfect blend of sweet, nutty, and fruity flavors in a soft, chewy cookie. They’re quick to make, fun to decorate, and perfect for evoking childhood memories. Bake a batch, enjoy the classic flavors, and share the nostalgia with family and friends.
