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If you have a sweet tooth and love the perfect combo of nutty and buttery flavors, then this Peanut Butter and Butterscotch Cookie Sandwiches Recipe is an absolute must-try. Imagine soft, chewy peanut butter cookies hugging a luscious, creamy filling bursting with rich butterscotch goodness. Each bite is a delightful dance of textures and tastes that will have you reaching for another one before you can even say “yum.” This recipe is surprisingly simple but delivers bakery-quality treats you’ll be proud to share with family and friends—or keep all to yourself!
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Peanut Butter and Butterscotch Cookie Sandwiches Recipe comes together with straightforward, pantry-friendly ingredients that play vital roles in flavor, texture, and color. Each element is essential for creating cookies that are soft, flavorful, and perfectly sweetened.
- Creamy peanut butter: The star ingredient that gives the cookies their characteristic nutty richness and chewy texture.
- Butterscotch chips: Add a smooth, sweet, caramel-like filling that melts perfectly when baked.
- Unsalted butter: Provides moisture and tenderness without overpowering the peanut butter flavor.
- Brown sugar: Gives the cookies a deep, molasses-like sweetness and helps keep them soft.
- Large egg: Binds the ingredients together while adding richness.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances the overall flavor and brings warmth to the cookies.
- All-purpose flour: Forms the structure of the dough, making sure the cookies hold their shape.
- Baking soda: Adds lift, creating perfectly soft and slightly puffy cookies.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and intensifies the peanut butter flavor.
- Granulated sugar: Used to roll the dough, giving a lightly crisp exterior with a subtle sparkle.
How to Make Peanut Butter and Butterscotch Cookie Sandwiches Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Peanut Butter Filling
Start by combining creamy peanut butter and butterscotch chips in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat the mixture carefully in short bursts, stirring until everything is fully melted and smoothly blended. This creates that irresistible creamy filling. Once melted, set it aside to cool slightly before popping it into the fridge so it firms up just enough to be shaped. When chilled, scoop small portions and roll them into balls, then return them to the refrigerator while you prepare the cookie dough.
Step 2: Make the Cookie Dough
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, peanut butter, and brown sugar. This step is crucial as it aerates the mixture, resulting in a fluffy base. Next, add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing well to unify the flavors. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet until a soft dough forms that’s just right for shaping.
Step 3: Assemble the Cookies
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Take a scoop of cookie dough and gently flatten it in your hand. Nestle one of those chilled peanut butter and butterscotch filling balls in the center, then wrap the dough around it completely, making sure the filling is sealed inside. Roll the dough into a smooth ball, then coat it lightly in granulated sugar for an added sweet crunch.
Step 4: Bake
Arrange your cookie dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, leaving enough space for them to expand slightly. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until the edges are set and the tops have a slight puff—don’t worry if the centers still look a bit soft; that’s the gooey magic waiting inside. After baking, allow the cookies to cool on the sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack. This step ensures they finish setting without losing their tender texture.
How to Serve Peanut Butter and Butterscotch Cookie Sandwiches Recipe
Garnishes
To elevate this Peanut Butter and Butterscotch Cookie Sandwiches Recipe, try sprinkling a pinch of sea salt on top just before serving for a gourmet contrast. A drizzle of melted butterscotch or peanut butter over the cookies also adds drama and extra flavor. For a colorful twist, sift a little powdered sugar on top to make them look even more tempting.
Side Dishes
When serving these cookie sandwiches, pair them with cold milk or a steaming cup of coffee—both complement the rich, sweet flavors perfectly. For a more indulgent experience, consider a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream on the side to balance the nutty, buttery taste with creamy coolness.
Creative Ways to Present
Want to impress guests? Serve these cookie sandwiches on a rustic wooden board alongside fresh berries or chopped nuts. Wrap them individually in wax paper tied with twine for gifting, or stack them in a glass jar for a charming dessert display. The layers of peanut butter and butterscotch filling make them as beautiful as they are delicious.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
These Peanut Butter and Butterscotch Cookie Sandwiches keep wonderfully in an airtight container at room temperature for up to four days. This short storage time ensures the cookies stay soft and the filling maintains its perfect creamy texture without drying out.
Freezing
If you want to make these treats ahead of time, freezing is the answer. Place the assembled cookie dough balls on a baking sheet and freeze until firm, then transfer them to a freezer-safe container or bag. You can bake them straight from the freezer, just add a couple of minutes to the baking time. Baked cookies also freeze well — simply wrap them tightly and thaw at room temperature when ready to enjoy.
Reheating
To bring back that irresistible fresh-baked warmth, reheat your cookie sandwiches gently in a microwave for about 10 seconds or in a preheated oven at 300°F for 3 to 5 minutes. This will soften the cookie and warm the filling, recreating that gooey, melt-in-your-mouth experience every time.
FAQs
Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy?
While creamy peanut butter blends more smoothly and gives a consistent texture, you can use crunchy peanut butter if you love extra crunch in your cookies. Just be aware it may change the mouthfeel of both the dough and the filling slightly.
What if I don’t have butterscotch chips? Can I substitute something else?
If butterscotch chips are hard to find, white chocolate or caramel chips can be a wonderful alternative for the filling, offering a similar creamy sweetness that complements peanut butter well.
Is it necessary to chill the filling before assembling the cookies?
Yes! Chilling the peanut butter and butterscotch filling helps it firm up so it’s easier to handle and shape. It also prevents the filling from melting too quickly during baking, ensuring it stays nicely encased within the cookie.
How big should the cookie dough balls be for each sandwich?
A good rule of thumb is about one tablespoon of dough per cookie, with the filling ball roughly half that size. This balance ensures the filling is generous but not overpowering and the cookies bake evenly.
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Absolutely! Replace the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free baking blend that includes xanthan gum for the best results. The texture might be slightly different, but the flavors will still shine beautifully.
Final Thoughts
There’s nothing quite like making a batch of these Peanut Butter and Butterscotch Cookie Sandwiches Recipe to brighten your day with homemade sweetness. They strike the perfect harmony between comforting peanut butter and the dreamy, buttery butterscotch filling inside. I promise, once you give this recipe a try, it will quickly become one of your favorite go-to treats for any occasion. Ready to bake up some joy? Your taste buds will thank you!
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Print
Peanut Butter and Butterscotch Cookie Sandwiches Recipe
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 37 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Baked Goods
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Peanut Butter Cookies feature a delicious surprise center of creamy peanut butter and butterscotch filling. The combination of a soft, chewy cookie dough wrapped around a sweet, buttery filling creates a delightful texture and flavor contrast. Perfectly rolled in sugar for a slight crunch, these cookies bake up golden and inviting, ideal for peanut butter lovers seeking a homemade treat.
Ingredients
Peanut Butter Filling
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 cup butterscotch chips
Cookie Dough
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
For Rolling
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
Instructions
- Prepare the Peanut Butter Filling: In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the creamy peanut butter and butterscotch chips. Heat in short intervals, stirring until the mixture is smooth and fully melted. Allow it to cool slightly, then refrigerate until firm enough to handle. Once chilled, scoop and roll the filling into small balls, then place them back in the refrigerator while you prepare the dough.
- Make the Cookie Dough: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, peanut butter, and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until fully combined. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and mix until a soft dough forms.
- Assemble the Cookies: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Scoop a portion of cookie dough and flatten it slightly in your hand. Place one chilled peanut butter filling ball in the center, then wrap the dough around it, sealing completely. Roll the dough into a smooth ball, then roll it in granulated sugar.
- Bake: Place the cookie dough balls onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between each one. Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges are set and the tops look slightly puffed. The centers will remain soft. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack.
Notes
- Serve the cookies warm for a gooey center or let them cool completely for a chewy texture.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.
- These cookies freeze well: wrap them tightly and freeze for up to 2 months.
- If butterscotch chips are not available, white chocolate chips could be a substitute, but will alter flavor.
- Chilling the peanut butter filling balls is crucial to prevent melting during baking.
