Why You’ll Love These Easy Stuffed Peanut Butter Cookies

These aren’t just any peanut butter cookies; they are a celebration of all things peanut butter! Here’s why this recipe will quickly become a household favorite:

• Unbeatable Peanut Butter Flavor: With peanut butter in both the cookie dough and the soft, melt-in-your-mouth filling, every bite delivers an intense, satisfying peanut butter experience.
• Effortless Preparation: Starting with a pre-made cookie mix drastically cuts down on prep time and simplifies the ingredient list. It’s perfect for busy weeknights or when you need a quick dessert.
• “Bakery-Style” Appeal: The stuffed center gives these cookies a gourmet look and feel, much like the popular Crumbl cookies, making them ideal for parties, gifts, or a special treat.
• Perfect Texture: The exterior is wonderfully chewy, while the interior filling remains creamy and delightful.
• Kid-Friendly: The simplicity of the recipe makes it a great project to involve children in the kitchen, fostering a love for baking.

The Magic of Double Peanut Butter

What makes a “double” peanut butter cookie so special? It’s the layering of flavor and texture! The outer cookie provides that classic, slightly crumbly yet chewy peanut butter cookie base. But then, you bite into the center, and a soft, sweet, and intensely peanut-buttery filling greets you. This unexpected core elevates the humble peanut butter cookie into something truly extraordinary. It’s a delightful surprise that keeps you reaching for another, and another!

The Convenience of a Cookie Mix

Don’t let anyone tell you that using a cookie mix isn’t “real” baking. In today’s fast-paced world, convenience is king, and a good quality cookie mix is a fantastic shortcut that doesn’t compromise on flavor. Especially with a peanut butter-flavored mix like Betty Crocker’s, you’re starting with a solid foundation. These mixes are developed to deliver consistent results every time, ensuring your cookies turn out perfectly baked and delicious. They reduce the number of ingredients you need to measure and mix, making the entire process less daunting and more enjoyable. It’s about smart baking, not sacrificing taste!

Ingredients for Your Stuffed Peanut Butter Cookies

Gathering your ingredients is the first step to baking bliss. This recipe calls for simple items, many of which you likely already have in your pantry.

For the Irresistible Peanut Butter Filling:

• ⅓ cup Creamy Peanut Butter: Choose a smooth, creamy peanut butter for the best filling texture. Brands like Jif or Skippy work wonderfully. Avoid natural peanut butter that separates, as it can make the filling too oily.
• ¼ cup Powdered Sugar: Also known as confectioners’ sugar, this ingredient gives the filling its sweetness and helps achieve that smooth, dense consistency.

For the Perfect Cookie Dough:

• 1 (17.5 oz) package Peanut Butter Cookie Mix: A high-quality mix is key here. Betty Crocker’s peanut butter cookie mix is highly recommended for its flavor and ease of use.
• 3 tablespoons Cold Butter, cut up: Using cold butter, cut into small pieces, is crucial for creating that coarse, crumbly texture when mixed with the cookie mix, similar to how you’d make a pie crust. This technique helps prevent overmixing and results in a tender cookie.
• 2 Large Egg Yolks: Egg yolks add richness, moisture, and help bind the dough without making it overly cakey. Separating yolks from whites is a small extra step that makes a big difference in texture.
• 1 tablespoon Water: Just enough liquid to bring the dough together, ensuring it’s pliable and easy to work with.

Step-by-Step: How to Make Double Peanut Butter Cookies

Follow these detailed instructions to create your perfect batch of stuffed peanut butter cookies. Precision and patience will lead to the most delightful results!

Step 1: Preparing Your Oven and Baking Sheets

1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). This ensures the oven is at the correct temperature for even baking.
2. Line a large baking sheet (or two, if you have them) with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. This prevents sticking and makes cleanup a breeze.

Step 2: Crafting the Creamy Peanut Butter Filling

3. In a small mixing bowl, combine the ⅓ cup creamy peanut butter and ¼ cup powdered sugar.
4. Using a spoon or a small spatula, beat them together until well combined and smooth. The mixture should be thick and pliable.
5. Cover the bowl and place the filling in the refrigerator. Chilling it for at least 15-20 minutes will make it firmer and much easier to handle when stuffing the cookies. This is an important step to prevent the filling from melting too quickly during baking.

Step 3: Creating the Cookie Dough Base

6. In a large mixing bowl, empty the contents of the 17.5 oz peanut butter cookie mix package.
7. Add the 3 tablespoons of cold butter, cut into small pieces.
8. Using a fork or a pastry cutter, thoroughly mix the cookie mix and cold butter. Continue until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs, with no large pieces of butter remaining. This step helps create a tender, flaky texture in the baked cookie.
9. Add the 2 egg yolks and 1 tablespoon of water to the crumbly mixture.
10. Stir with a sturdy spoon or, even better, use your hands (which can be more effective for bringing dough together) until the mixture forms a cohesive dough. Be careful not to overmix; just combine until no dry streaks remain.
11. Shape the dough into an 8-inch long cylinder on a clean surface. This will make it easier to divide evenly.
12. Using a sharp knife, divide the cylinder into 16 equal pieces. Aim for consistency to ensure even baking.

Step 4: The Art of Stuffing and Shaping Your Cookies

13. Retrieve the chilled peanut butter filling from the refrigerator.
14. Working with one dough piece at a time, divide that piece of dough in half.
15. Press both halves flat into a disc shape, creating a space for the filling.
16. Using a half-teaspoon measuring spoon, scoop a ¾-inch ball of the peanut butter filling mixture. This might require gently rolling the scooped filling between your fingers to form a neat ball.
17. Carefully place the peanut butter filling ball between the two flattened dough halves.
18. Gently mold the dough around the peanut butter filling, ensuring the filling is completely enclosed. Roll the cookie gently between your palms to form a smooth, uniform ball. This step requires a light touch to prevent the filling from oozing out.
19. Place the shaped cookie ball onto your prepared baking sheet.
20. Repeat this process for the remaining 15 dough pieces and filling, ensuring even spacing on the baking sheet to allow for spreading during baking.

Step 5: Baking to Golden Perfection

21. Place the baking sheet(s) in the preheated oven.
22. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly browned and the centers are set but still look soft. Do not overbake, as they will continue to set as they cool. Overbaking can lead to dry cookies.
23. Once baked, remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for 5-10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This helps them firm up and prevents them from breaking.
24. Enjoy your delicious homemade Double Peanut Butter Cookies!

This recipe yields 16 glorious stuffed cookies, perfect for sharing (or not!).

Tips for the Best Cookie Mix Double Peanut Butter Cookies

• Don’t Skip Chilling the Filling: This is a crucial step! A firm filling is much easier to work with and less likely to melt out during baking.
• Use Cold Butter: Just like with pie crusts, cold butter helps create pockets of steam during baking, leading to a more tender and crumbly cookie texture.
• Measure Precisely: Especially for the filling and the dough division, consistent measurements ensure uniform cookies that bake evenly.
• Don’t Overmix the Dough: Once the dough comes together, stop mixing. Overmixing can develop the gluten too much, leading to tough cookies.
• Evenly Divide Dough: Taking the time to divide the dough into 16 equal pieces ensures all cookies are roughly the same size and bake uniformly. You can even use a kitchen scale for precision.
• Seal the Filling Completely: Make sure the cookie dough fully encapsulates the peanut butter filling to prevent it from leaking out during baking.
• Watch Your Oven: Oven temperatures can vary. Keep an eye on your cookies, especially during the first batch, to determine the perfect baking time for your oven.
• Allow to Cool: Resist the urge to dive in immediately! Letting the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes helps them set up and prevents them from falling apart when transferred.

Variations and Customizations

While these cookies are fantastic as is, here are some ideas to customize them and make them uniquely yours:

• Chocolate Lover’s Dream: Add a mini chocolate chip or two into the peanut butter filling before sealing, or mix in 1/2 cup of chocolate chips to the cookie dough itself.
• Crunchy Peanut Butter: If you love texture, use crunchy peanut butter for the filling instead of creamy.
• Nutella Surprise: Replace the peanut butter filling with a dollop of Nutella for a hazelnut-chocolate twist.
• Different Cookie Base: While a peanut butter mix is ideal for double peanut butter, you could experiment with a regular sugar cookie mix and add peanut butter powder or a small amount of regular peanut butter to the dough for a different base flavor.
• Sprinkle Fun: Roll the finished cookie balls in sprinkles before baking for a festive touch.
• Salted Caramel Swirl: Swirl a tiny bit of salted caramel into the peanut butter filling for a sweet and salty kick.

Storage and Serving Suggestions

These double peanut butter cookies are best enjoyed fresh, but they also store well:

• Storage: Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-5 days. For longer storage, you can freeze them for up to 2-3 months. Thaw at room temperature.
• Serving: These cookies are delicious on their own, with a cold glass of milk, or alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra indulgent dessert. They also make excellent additions to a cookie platter for special occasions.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I use natural peanut butter for the filling?

It’s generally not recommended for the filling. Natural peanut butter tends to be more oily and less stable, which can cause the filling to spread or leak during baking. Creamy, conventional peanut butter works best for a smooth, firm filling.

What if I don’t have a pastry cutter?

A fork works perfectly fine! You can also use your fingertips to rub the cold butter into the cookie mix, similar to making scone dough. The goal is to incorporate the butter until the mixture is crumbly.

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the cookie dough and even stuff the cookies, then refrigerate them for up to 24 hours before baking. If refrigerating for longer than an hour, cover the unbaked cookies loosely to prevent them from drying out. You might need to add an extra minute or two to the baking time if baking from cold.

My cookies spread too much. What went wrong?

This could be due to several factors: your butter might have been too soft when you started, your oven temperature might be slightly off (too low), or you might have overmixed the dough. Ensuring cold butter and precise measurements, along with not overmixing, can help prevent excessive spreading.

Can I double the recipe?

Absolutely! This recipe doubles beautifully. Just make sure you have large enough mixing bowls and enough baking sheets to accommodate the increased yield.

How do I get a perfect Crumbl-like cookie?

The key to the bakery-style look and texture is often the soft, thick center, which our stuffing method achieves. Also, don’t overbake! A slightly underbaked center will lead to that coveted gooey texture once cooled.