If you have a soft spot for peanut butter treats that bring childhood memories flooding back, this Homemade Nutter Butter Cookies Recipe is going to be your new best friend in the kitchen. These cookies capture the perfect balance of crunchy edges and a tender bite, with a luscious peanut butter filling tucked right between each pair. They are a delightful twist on the classic store-bought version, made from scratch with ingredients you likely already have on hand. Baking them fills your home with that irresistible nutty aroma, and the reward is biting into a cookie that tastes like a warm, comforting hug.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Making these cookies from scratch is surprisingly straightforward. Every ingredient plays a vital role, whether it’s building the dough’s perfect texture, contributing that rich peanut butter flavor, or adding sweetness and moisture for the ideal cookie bite.
- Unsalted butter (1 cup): Provides richness and helps your cookies hold their shape while keeping them tender.
- Creamy peanut butter (1 cup plus 1/2 cup for filling): The star of the show, it infuses every bite with a smooth, nutty depth.
- Granulated sugar (1 cup): Adds a crisp sweetness that caramelizes during baking.
- Brown sugar (1 cup): Offers moisture and a slight molasses hint for extra chewiness.
- Large eggs (2): Bind the dough together and add structure.
- Vanilla extract (2 teaspoons): Enhances the flavors and rounds out the taste beautifully.
- All-purpose flour (2 1/2 cups): The backbone of the cookie, it provides just the right amount of sturdiness.
- Baking soda (1 teaspoon): Helps the cookies rise slightly for a soft center.
- Baking powder (1/2 teaspoon): Adds a subtle lift and lightness.
- Salt (1/2 teaspoon): Balances the sweetness and intensifies peanut butter flavor.
- Powdered sugar (2 cups): Sweetens the creamy filling without graininess.
- Heavy cream (3-4 tablespoons): Thins the filling just enough to spread easily but keep it luscious.
How to Make Homemade Nutter Butter Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Baking Sheets
Start by setting your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line your baking sheets with parchment paper to ensure the cookies don’t stick and have an even surface to bake on. This simple prep step helps your cookies bake perfectly and makes cleanup a breeze.
Step 2: Cream the Butters and Sugars
In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened unsalted butter, creamy peanut butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Beat them together until the mixture is light, fluffy, and beautifully combined. This creates a velvety base that contributes moisture and sweetness while ensuring your cookies have a melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Step 3: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Next, add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Pour in the vanilla extract and mix thoroughly. These ingredients add richness and help bind the cookie dough for that perfect chewiness.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add this dry mix into your wet ingredients, stirring just until everything is combined. Overmixing here can toughen the cookies, so gentle folding is key to keeping them tender.
Step 5: Shape and Bake the Cookies
Scoop the dough by tablespoonfuls, roll each scoop into a ball, then gently flatten them with a fork to create the classic crisscross pattern. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until the edges turn golden brown—this signals that they are perfectly baked with a slight crispness on the outside and chewy inside. Let them cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
Step 6: Make and Add the Filling
While the cookies cool, whip together the filling by beating creamy peanut butter, powdered sugar, softened butter, heavy cream, and vanilla extract until smooth and spreadable. Once the cookies are completely cool, generously spread this luscious filling on one cookie and sandwich it with another. This filling is what makes these cookies truly special and decadent.
How to Serve Homemade Nutter Butter Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
For a delightful finishing touch, dust the cookies lightly with powdered sugar or drizzle some melted dark chocolate over the top for a glossy, irresistible look. You can also press in a few chopped peanuts on the filling edge before sandwiching; it adds texture and amps up the nutty flavor.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair wonderfully with a cold glass of milk for dipping or alongside a steaming cup of coffee or tea. For a fun twist, serve them with vanilla ice cream to create a peanut butter cookie sandwich dessert that melts in your mouth.
Creative Ways to Present
Stack the cookies in a decorative cookie jar or arrange them on a platter lined with parchment paper and fresh peanuts scattered around. They also make a fabulous homemade gift—pack a few in a cellophane bag tied with a colorful ribbon and watch your friends’ faces light up with delight.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
You can keep leftover Homemade Nutter Butter Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. Make sure the cookies are completely cool before storing to maintain their perfect texture—soft yet sturdy with creamy filling.
Freezing
For longer storage, freeze the cookie sandwiches in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer them to an airtight container or freezer bag. Frozen, they last up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy, thaw at room temperature for about 30 minutes and savor that just-made freshness.
Reheating
If you prefer your cookies slightly warm, pop them in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or the oven at 300°F (150°C) for 5 minutes. This softens the peanut butter filling and makes the cookie even more irresistible.
FAQs
Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy?
Absolutely! Crunchy peanut butter will add a lovely texture and little peanut bits throughout your cookies, making each bite even more interesting. Just be sure to adjust the mixing time to fully incorporate those extras.
Is it okay to substitute brown sugar with all white sugar?
While you can, brown sugar adds moisture and depth of flavor that white sugar lacks. Using only white sugar might produce a slightly crisper cookie and less of that classic chewy texture.
Can I make gluten-free Homemade Nutter Butter Cookies Recipe?
Yes, swapping the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free blend works well, but be mindful that some blends absorb moisture differently. You might need a tiny bit more or less flour to get the right dough consistency.
How long do these cookies stay fresh?
Stored properly in an airtight container, these cookies stay fresh and delicious for about one week at room temperature. The peanut butter filling helps keep them moist and soft throughout.
Can I double the recipe easily?
Definitely! This recipe scales up nicely if you want to bake a bigger batch for gatherings or gifting. Just remember to space the cookies properly on the baking sheets and consider baking in batches for even heat distribution.
Final Thoughts
I truly hope you give this Homemade Nutter Butter Cookies Recipe a try—it’s one of those recipes that brings joy not only through the taste but the whole baking experience. Whether you’re making these cookies to indulge yourself, share with loved ones, or impress at your next get-together, they never disappoint. The combination of buttery cookie and peanut butter filling is pure magic, and once you make them from scratch, you’ll understand why they’re a family favorite for life.
Print
Homemade Nutter Butter Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 32 minutes
- Yield: 24 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Homemade Nutter Butter Cookies are a delightful treat combining a soft peanut butter cookie with a creamy, sweet peanut butter filling. Perfectly baked until golden brown, these cookies offer the nostalgic flavor of classic Nutter Butters made from scratch in your own kitchen.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Filling
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3–4 tablespoons heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and allow even baking.
- Make Dough Base: In a large bowl, using an electric mixer or by hand, cream together the softened butter, creamy peanut butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, usually about 3-4 minutes. Then beat in the eggs one at a time followed by the vanilla extract to fully incorporate.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt to ensure even distribution of leavening agents.
- Mix Dry with Wet: Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined to avoid overworking the dough which can make cookies tough.
- Shape Cookies: Scoop dough by tablespoonfuls, roll each portion into balls, then flatten them with a fork to create the classic crisscross peanut butter cookie pattern.
- Bake: Place the shaped dough balls onto the prepared baking sheets and bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes or until the edges turn golden brown. Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes to firm up.
- Cool Completely: Transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely before filling to avoid melting the filling.
- Prepare Filling: In a mixing bowl, beat together the creamy peanut butter, powdered sugar, softened butter, heavy cream, and vanilla extract until the filling is smooth, creamy, and spreadable.
- Assemble Cookies: Spread the prepared filling on the flat side of one cookie and sandwich it with another, gently pressing together to form a filled cookie.
Notes
- Ensure butter and peanut butter are softened to room temperature for easier mixing.
- Do not overmix the dough once the flour is added to keep cookies tender.
- The heavy cream in the filling can be adjusted to reach your preferred consistency.
- Store assembled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for longer freshness.
- For a nuttier flavor, use natural peanut butter without added sugar.
