Homemade Nutter Butters Recipe

By understanding the specific roles of these ingredients, you can appreciate how they come together to create the perfect peanut butter cookies and why each ingredient is essential to the process.

The cookies are sweet, chewy, and peanut-buttery, while the filling is creamy, sweet, and delicious, resulting in the ultimate peanut butter cookie sandwich.

For the Peanut Butter Cookies

1. Peanut Butter: The star of the show! Peanut butter provides the primary flavor and texture for the cookies. It’s rich, creamy, and gives that classic nutty taste.
2. Egg: Eggs are binding agents that hold the cookie dough together. They also provide moisture and structure, helping the cookies to rise and set during baking.
3. Granulated Sugar: Sugar sweetens the cookies and also plays a crucial role in texture. It helps create a tender, chewy interior while contributing to the cookies’ golden brown appearance. Brown sugar may be substituted if needed.

For the Peanut Butter Filling:

1. Peanut Butter: Like in the cookies, peanut butter is central to the filling, providing that wonderful nutty flavor and creamy consistency.
2. Powdered Sugar: Powdered sugar is used to sweeten the filling and thicken it. It also contributes to a smooth and creamy texture.
3. Vanilla: Vanilla extract enhances the overall flavor profile by adding a subtle but delightful hint of vanilla. It complements the nuttiness of the peanut butter.
4. Milk: Milk is added as needed to achieve the desired consistency for the filling. It helps make the filling spreadable and easier to sandwich between the cookies.

Types of Peanut Butter

Can I use natural peanut butter in this recipe?

While it’s technically possible to use natural peanut butter, it’s not recommended.

Natural peanut butter tends to have a different consistency and can result in spreading issues with the cookies. For the best results, it’s advisable to use regular peanut butter, which provides a more predictable and consistent texture for your peanut butter sandwich cookies.

If you must use natural peanut butter, opt for the no-stir variety, which typically has a texture more comparable to traditional peanut butter.

Can I use crunchy peanut butter?

Absolutely! If you enjoy the added texture and nutty crunch, you can use crunchy peanut butter in place of smooth peanut butter for a delicious twist on the classic peanut butter sandwich cookies.

Just keep in mind that the filling will have a bit more texture, which can make it a little more difficult to spread and press on a second cookie.

More Peanut Butter Cookie Recipes

Homemade Nutter Butters Recipe

Candy Corn Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe

Gluten-Free Dairy-Free Monster Cookies Recipe

Gluten Free Peanut Butter Blossoms

Football Field Peanut Butter Cookie Bars

3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies

How to Make Nutter Butter Shaped Cookies

Everyone knows that how your food looks is a major part of the eating experience. So here are some tips to help you achieve that iconic Nutter Butter shape if you’re in the mood for making these cookies look as good as they taste!

1. Equal Portions: Ensure that you portion your cookie dough into equal-sized balls. This will help create uniform cookies.
2. Flatten and Join: Take each portion of dough and roll it into a ball. Place two balls side by side on the baking sheet, leaving some space in between. Use a fork to gently flatten each ball, pressing them together at their sides to create the “Nutter Butter” sandwich shape.
3. Fork Marks: After flattening the cookie with a fork, use the same fork to create the characteristic ridges or lines found on “Nutter Butter” cookies. Press the fork gently into the surface of the dough, creating a crisscross pattern.
4. Refine with Fingers or Spoon: To refine the peanut shape further, you can use your fingers or the edge of a spoon. Gently shape and smooth the edges to make them resemble a peanut more closely.
5. Cooling: Allow the cookies to cool on a wire rack after baking. They may be more fragile due to their shape, so handle them gently.
6. Filling: Once the cookies are completely cool, you can fill them with your desired peanut butter or cream filling to create the “Nutter Butter” sandwich.

FAQs | Peanut Butter Cookies Sandwich Recipe

Can I substitute powdered sugar with granulated sugar in the filling?

No, it’s not recommended to substitute powdered sugar with granulated sugar in the filling of this recipe. Powdered sugar, also known as confectioners’ sugar, is typically used in fillings like this because it has a very fine texture and dissolves easily.

Granulated sugar, on the other hand, has larger crystals that do not dissolve as readily. If you use granulated sugar, it can result in a grainy and less smooth texture in the filling. Additionally, the filling may not be as sweet as intended because granulated sugar doesn’t provide the same level of sweetness as powdered sugar.

To achieve the best results and the desired consistency for the creamy filling in your peanut butter sandwich cookies, it’s advisable to use powdered sugar as specified in the recipe.

You can absolutely use a hand mixer as a suitable alternative to a stand mixer with a paddle attachment for this recipe. In fact, I usually just mix the dough with a wooden spoon in a medium bowl. And for the filling, I’m obsessed with my KitchenAid Cordless Hand Mixer. I prefer it to the bowl of a stand mixer on most days!

Here are some considerations when using a hand mixer:

1. Bowl Selection: Use a deep, large bowl that can accommodate the dough or filling without splattering it all over your kitchen.
2. Mixing Speed: Start mixing at low to medium speed and gradually increase it as needed. Be cautious not to overmix, as it can affect the final texture of your cookies and filling.
3. Scraping the Bowl: Periodically pause to scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure even mixing.
4. Control: Hand mixers offer better control for smaller batches, which makes it a suitable option for this recipe.
5. Consistency: As long as you achieve the desired consistency, whether for the cookie dough or the filling, your electric mixer is doing its job effectively.

A hand mixer is a versatile and practical tool for most baking tasks, including making peanut butter sandwich cookies. It provides the convenience of handheld control and is suitable for smaller batch sizes. So, if you don’t have a stand mixer with a paddle attachment, rest assured that your hand mixer will do an excellent job in its place.

How do I prevent the cookies from sticking to the baking sheet?

Preventing your peanut butter sandwich cookies from sticking to the baking sheet is essential for a clean and successful bake. Here are some tips to ensure your cookies release easily:

1. Use Sheets of Parchment Paper: Line your baking sheet with parchment paper. This non-stick surface creates a barrier between the cookies and the baking sheet, preventing sticking. I prefer parchment to silicone baking mats, because the silicone mats tend to facilitate spreading.
2. Grease the Baking Sheet: If you prefer not to use parchment paper or baking mats, lightly grease the baking sheet with a thin layer of cooking spray or a small amount of butter. Be cautious not to over-grease, as it can lead to cookies spreading too much.  This should only be necessary if you are using an extremely old baking sheet that no longer has a smooth surface.
3. Proper Spacing: Leave enough space between each cookie on the baking sheet. Typically, cookies should be placed 2 inches apart to allow for spreading while baking without them touching each other.
4. Use a Cookie Scoop: A cookie scoop or ice cream scoop can help you create evenly-sized cookies. This ensures consistent spreading and prevents overcrowding on the baking sheet.
5. Cooling Time: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes after removing them from the oven. This will help them set and make them easier to remove without breaking.
6. Use a Thin Spatula: When transferring the cookies from the baking sheet to a cooling rack, use a thin spatula to gently lift them. A thin spatula slides easily under the cookies without damaging them. This 8″ Stainless Steel Spatula is perfect for the job.
7. Remove While Warm: If your cookies do stick a bit, try to gently remove them from the baking sheet while they are still warm. They tend to release more easily when they haven’t completely cooled and hardened.

Love Cookies? Try our Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies!

Thick and Chewy Brown Sugar Chocolate Chip Cookies

One Smart Cookie Back to School Recipe

Mom’s Choc-Oat-Chip Cookies Recipe

Crisco Chocolate Chips Cookies Recipe

Chocolate Chip Birthday Cookies Recipe

How to Store Leftover Cookies

To keep your leftover peanut butter sandwich cookies fresh and delicious, follow these storage guidelines:

1. 1. Cool Completely: Allow the cookies to cool completely on a wire rack before storing them. This helps prevent moisture buildup and maintains their texture. Of course, they should already be cooled completely before adding the filling. But this step is important, so it’s worth reiterating. 
   2. Airtight Container: Place the cookies in an airtight container. You can use a cookie tin, plastic container with a tight-sealing lid, or a resealable plastic bag. Ensure that the container is clean and dry before storing the cookies.
   3. Layering: If you need to stack the cookies in the container, place a sheet of parchment paper or wax paper between the layers to prevent them from sticking together or becoming too soft. This isn’t necessary for short-term room-temperature storage. But if you plan to refrigerate or freeze the cookies, using wax paper is a good idea.
   4. Room Temperature: Peanut butter sandwich cookies can be stored at room temperature for up to a week, provided they are in an airtight container. If your kitchen is particularly warm and humid, consider using a container with a silicone seal to maintain freshness.
   5. Refrigeration: If you want to extend their shelf life further, you can refrigerate the cookies for up to two weeks. Place them in an airtight container and ensure they are well-sealed to prevent moisture absorption.
   6. Freezing: To keep cookies for an even longer period, freeze them. Individually wrap the cookies in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, or place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Then, transfer them to an airtight container or a resealable freezer bag. Properly stored, frozen cookies can last for up to three months.
   7. Room Temperature Thawing: When you’re ready to enjoy frozen cookies, simply let them thaw at room temperature for a few hours or overnight. This will prevent condensation from forming on the cookies and maintain their texture.