Oh my gosh, you have to try these Peanut Butter Jelly Bombs! They’re like little bites of pure joy. I couldn’t wait to tell you about them!
They’re soft, warm, and filled with creamy peanut butter and sweet jelly. When I took my first bite, I was like, wow, this tastes just like my favorite sandwich. But even better!
Trust me, once you try them, you’ll wanna make them again and again. They’re fun to share, or just keep all for yourself.
So come on, let’s make these yummy Peanut Butter Jelly Bombs together. You’re gonna love every single bite!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ultimate Peanut Butter Lovers Delight: A soft, chewy peanut butter cookie with a surprise of jelly in every bite!
- Easy to Make: With just a few basic ingredients and simple steps, these cookies are quick to put together.
- Fun and Customizable: The peanut butter and jelly filling offers endless possibilities—use grape, strawberry, or any of your favorite jams!
- Perfect for Kids and Adults: These cookies are a nostalgic twist on the classic peanut butter and jelly sandwich.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: You can prepare the dough and freeze it, making them a convenient treat whenever you want to indulge.
Required Kitchen Tools
Before we dive into the recipe, let’s make sure you have all the necessary kitchen tools to get started:
- Mixing Bowls: You’ll need a few bowls to mix your dough and peanut butter-jelly filling.
- Electric Mixer: A hand or stand mixer will help you cream the butter, peanut butter, and sugars together until smooth.
- Baking Sheet: A sturdy baking sheet is essential to bake these cookies evenly.
- Parchment Paper: Line your baking sheets with parchment paper for easy cleanup and to prevent the cookies from sticking.
- Measuring Cups and Spoons: Accurate measurements are important for the perfect cookie dough consistency and taste.
- Spoon or Cookie Scoop: For forming the dough balls, you’ll want a spoon or cookie scoop to ensure uniform size.
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make these irresistible Peanut Butter Jelly Bombs (measurements are provided below):
- Unsalted Butter (1 cup, softened): The base of the dough, providing a rich and buttery flavor.
- Granulated Sugar (1 cup): For sweetness and to help with the cookie’s texture.
- Brown Sugar (1 cup, packed): Adds moisture and a bit of caramel-like richness.
- Large Eggs (2): Eggs help bind the dough together and contribute to the soft, chewy texture.
- Creamy Peanut Butter (1 ½ cups for the dough + 1 cup for filling): The star ingredient for both the cookie dough and the filling!
- Vanilla Extract (1 tsp): A touch of vanilla enhances the flavor of the cookies.
- All-Purpose Flour (3 cups): The foundation of your dough; this helps give the cookies structure.
- Baking Soda (1 tsp): The leavening agent that helps the cookies rise and become soft and chewy.
- Baking Powder (½ tsp): Helps the cookies spread evenly as they bake.
- Salt (½ tsp): Enhances the flavor and balances the sweetness.
- Jelly or Jam (½ cup): Use your favorite jelly or jam—grape or strawberry are classic choices, but you can mix it up!
Variations for Peanut Butter Jelly Bombs
These cookies are delicious as they are, but you can mix things up with these fun variations:
- Different Nut Butters: If you prefer almond butter or cashew butter, swap the peanut butter in the dough for another nut butter to create a different flavor profile.
- Sugar-Free Jelly: If you’re cutting down on sugar, use a sugar-free jelly or jam for the filling.
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Jelly Bombs: Add a handful of chocolate chips to the dough or drizzle melted chocolate on top after baking for an extra decadent treat.
- Nutty Surprise: Add crushed peanuts or other nuts into the dough for added crunch and texture.
- Use Different Jams: Try different fruit jams like raspberry, blackberry, or even a tropical mango jam for a unique twist.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Baking Sheets
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (177°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent the cookies from sticking and ensure they bake evenly.
2. Make the Peanut Butter Dough
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar using an electric mixer on medium speed. Beat until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
Once the butter and sugars are well combined, add the peanut butter and vanilla extract. Continue mixing until smooth and fully incorporated.
Add the eggs one at a time, mixing after each addition, until fully incorporated. The dough should now be soft and smooth.
3. Add the Dry Ingredients
In another mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until the dough forms and all ingredients are well combined.
At this point, you’ll have a thick, peanut-buttery dough that is perfect for forming cookie bombs.
4. Form the Cookie Dough Balls
Using a spoon or a cookie scoop, scoop out 1 tablespoon of dough for each cookie. Roll it into a ball and make an indentation in the center with your thumb to form a small well.
5. Fill the Cookies with Peanut Butter and Jelly
Spoon 1 teaspoon of peanut butter into the center of each cookie ball, followed by 1 teaspoon of jelly or jam. Gently pinch the dough around the filling, sealing it inside the dough. Be sure to fully enclose the peanut butter and jelly so they don’t leak out while baking.
6. Bake the Peanut Butter Jelly Bombs
Place the filled dough balls on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the cookies are golden brown around the edges.
The centers might look soft, but they’ll firm up as they cool, creating a chewy, gooey center.
7. Cool and Enjoy!
Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, the Peanut Butter Jelly Bombs are ready to be enjoyed!
How to Serve Peanut Butter Jelly Bombs
These cookies are absolutely delicious on their own, but you can also serve them in a few different ways:
- With a Glass of Milk: These cookies are a perfect pairing with a cold glass of milk—just like your classic peanut butter and jelly sandwich!
- As a Snack: Pack them in lunchboxes or serve them as a midday snack for a sweet pick-me-up.
- With Ice Cream: Serve the Peanut Butter Jelly Bombs alongside a scoop of vanilla or chocolate ice cream for a fun dessert.
- For Parties or Gifting: These cookies are perfect for sharing at parties or for gifting to friends and family—everyone loves a homemade treat!
Storing Peanut Butter Jelly Bombs
To keep these cookies fresh:
- Room Temperature: Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
- Freezing: If you want to make a large batch, freeze the unbaked dough balls for up to 3 months. When ready to bake, simply place them on a baking sheet and bake as directed (you may need to add an extra 1-2 minutes to the baking time).
Nutrition Information (per cookie)
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 220 |
| Total Fat | 12g |
| Saturated Fat | 3g |
| Carbohydrates | 27g |
| Fiber | 1g |
| Sugars | 16g |
| Protein | 4g |
| Cholesterol | 25mg |
| Sodium | 95mg |
Peanut Butter Jelly Bombs
Course: Uncategorized24
cookies20
minutes10
minutes220
kcalIngredients
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup brown sugar, packed
2 large eggs
1 ½ cups creamy peanut butter (plus 1 cup for filling)
1 tsp vanilla extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
½ tsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
½ cup jelly or jam (grape or strawberry)
Directions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Beat until light and fluffy.
- Add peanut butter and vanilla extract, mixing until smooth.
- Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients (flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt).
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and mix until combined.
- Scoop 1 tablespoon of dough, roll into a ball, and make an indentation in the center.
- Fill with 1 tsp of peanut butter and 1 tsp of jelly. Seal the dough around the filling.
- Place on a baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
Peanut Butter Jelly Bombs FAQs
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Yes, you can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. Make sure to check the other ingredients for gluten as well.
Can I use crunchy peanut butter?
Absolutely! Using crunchy peanut butter will add an extra texture to the cookies, making them even more fun to eat.
Can I use other jams?
Yes, you can use any type of jam or jelly you like. Raspberry, apricot, or even a mix of different fruit jams would work beautifully in this recipe.
Can I make these ahead of time?
Definitely! You can prepare the dough and freeze it for later use. Just freeze the unbaked dough balls and bake them fresh when you’re ready.
Conclusion
And there we go, my sweet friend — our soft, gooey Peanut Butter Jelly Bombs all ready to enjoy. I just love how these little treats feel like a warm hug from childhood, all wrapped up in a fun new way. They’re simple, happy, and bring so many smiles. I truly hope you try them soon and share them with people you love. Thanks so much for spending time here with me — happy baking and happy hearts!