Big Flavors from a Tiny Kitchen

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Events
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • About
    • Events
    • Contact
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » Dessert Recipes

    Peanut Butter and Jelly Thumbprints

    Ashley Covelli standing in the kitchen wearing an apron with the Big Flavors logo.
    Modified: Jan 9, 2018 · Published: Nov 6, 2015 by Ashley · This post may contain affiliate links · 2 Comments
    • Facebook
    • Email
    • Flip
    • Threads
    • Bluesky

    This post may contain affiliate links, which won’t change your price but will share some commission.

    Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe·Leave a Review

    A childhood favorite in cookie form!

    I love getting my son in the kitchen with me, and what better kitchen activity than baking cookies?

    So at breakfast one morning, I asked him if he wanted to bake cookies with me. He was super excited about the idea, so I asked him what kind of cookies he wanted to make.

    "Peanut butter and jelly cookies."

    A photo posted by Ashley Covelli (@bigflavors) on Oct 5, 2015 at 12:01pm PDT

    I loved his idea, and my mind immediately went to thumbprint cookies. They're so much fun to make, no matter how old you are!

    So I searched around a bit and came across this recipe from Martha Stewart.

    Peanut Butter and Jelly Thumbprints

    I loved that these called for raspberry jam, although you could substitute any flavor you like.

    One thing that I figured out while making these is that using the handle end of a wooden spoon was just not going to work. I don't have any that would make a good sized divot to hold the jelly.

    But then I glanced over and noticed that the back of my ½ teaspoon measuring spoon would be absolutely perfect! 

    A photo posted by Ashley Covelli (@bigflavors) on Oct 5, 2015 at 12:18pm PDT

    That trick worked out really well, and made the process go much more smoothly.

    This was an easy recipe that my 3-year-old loved helping out wth. Although, I'm not gonna lie, QC of each and every ingredient is his favorite part.

    The apple doesn't fall far from the tree, folks.

    Peanut Butter and Jelly Thumbprints

    These cookies tasted great! I sent a bunch in to work with my husband to share with his co-workers, and they devoured them!

    One of them even said they were the best PB&J cookies she's ever had.

    Hats off to Martha!

    Peanut Butter and Jelly Thumbprints

    Print

    📖 Recipe

    clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
    Thumbprint cookies on a plate with a glass of milk and jar of jelly in the background.

    Peanut Butter and Jelly Thumbprints

    5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star No reviews
    • Author: Martha Stewart
    • Prep Time: 10 minutes
    • Cook Time: 10 minutes
    • Total Time: 20 minutes
    • Yield: About 40 cookies 1x
    • Category: Dessert
    • Method: Oven
    • Cuisine: American
    Print Recipe
    Pin Recipe

    Description

    A childhood favorite in cookie form! Everyone loves a PBJ so it only makes sense to transfer it to thumbprint cookies.


    Ingredients

    Scale
    • 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
    • ½ teaspoon baking powder
    • ½ teaspoon baking soda
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ¾ cup smooth peanut butter
    • 4 ounces (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
    • ⅓ cup packed light-brown sugar
    • ⅓ cup granulated sugar, plus more for rolling
    • 1 large egg
    • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
    • ½ cup raspberry jam


    Instructions

    1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Beat peanut butter and butter with a mixer on medium speed until smooth. Add sugars, and beat until pale and fluffy. Add egg and vanilla, and beat until incorporated. Reduce speed to low. Add dry ingredients, and mix until combined.
    2. Scoop level tablespoons of dough, and form into balls. Roll each ball in granulated sugar, and transfer to parchment-lined baking sheets, spacing about 2 inches apart.
    3. Bake until cookies are puffy, about 10 minutes. Remove from oven, and make indentations in centers by pressing with the handle end of a wooden spoon. Return to oven, and bake until edges are golden, 6 to 7 minutes more. Transfer sheets to wire racks, and let cool completely.
    4. Heat jam in a small saucepan, stirring, until loosened, about 30 seconds. Spoon about ½ teaspoon into each indentation. Cookies can be stored in a single layer for up to 1 week.

    Notes

    Recipe from Martha Stewart

    Nutrition

    • Serving Size:
    • Calories: 90
    • Sugar: 5.9 g
    • Sodium: 69.5 mg
    • Fat: 4.9 g
    • Saturated Fat: 2 g
    • Carbohydrates: 10.4 g
    • Fiber: 0.4 g
    • Protein: 1.7 g
    • Cholesterol: 10.7 mg

    Did you make this recipe?

    Tag @bigflavors on Instagram and hashtag it #cookbigflavors

    Recipe Card powered byTasty Recipes

    A photo posted by Ashley Covelli (@bigflavors) on Oct 5, 2015 at 6:34pm PDT

    More Dessert Recipes

    • Espresso chocolate chip brownies on a serving tray.
      Espresso Chocolate Chip Brownies {Starbucks Copycat}
    • Maple cookies on plates with a pitcher of maple syrup alongside.
      Maple Cookies
    • Peppermint mocha in a mug garnished with chocolate and peppermint candies.
      Homemade Peppermint Whipped Cream
    • Homemade tiramisu in a serving dish with plates and forks for serving.
      Best Classic Italian Tiramisu

    Comments

    1. Lori H says

      November 06, 2015 at 11:48 pm

      That grandson of mine is a smart cookie! Pun intended. 😉

      Reply
    2. Joanne (eats well with others) says

      November 29, 2015 at 9:41 am

      These are way more fun than any thumbprint variety I've ever seen!

      Reply

    Leave a comment Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

    Hi, I'm Ashley and I’ve been writing about food & recipes here at Big Flavors from a Tiny Kitchen since 2006. I want to help you (yes, you!) gain confidence in the kitchen so you are excited to cook at home for yourself and your loved ones.

    More about me →

    Favorite Winter Recipes

    • Grandpa Henderson's Beef Stew
    • Curried Pumpkin Soup
    • Spatchcocked Turkey
    • Chicken a la King
    • Instant Pot Herbed Pot Roast
    • Roasted Honeynut Squash with Burrata, Pomegranate, + Pepitas
    • Spicy Turkey Three-Bean Chili
    • Gingerbread Pancakes with Peppermint Whipped Cream
    • Spiced Mulled Wine
    • Italian Sausage and Peppers
    • Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix
    • Homemade Cereal Mix

    Holiday Baking

    • Grandma's Cut-Out Sugar Cookies
    • Maple Cookies
    • Italian Cream Cheese and Ricotta Cheesecake
    • Peppermint Hot Chocolate Cookies
    • 125+ Holiday Cookies from Around the World
    • Italian Ricotta Cookies
    • Chai Spiced Snickerdoodle Cookies
    • Melt-in-Your-Mouth Buttermilk Chocolate Cookies

    Popular Now

    • Cast iron skillet full of chicken fajitas.
      Favorite Restaurant-Style Chicken Fajitas
    • Cooling rack of decorated cut out sugar cookies.
      Grandma's Classic Cut Out Christmas Sugar Cookie Recipe
    • Close up of a few cucumber slices topped with a spiced chickpea purée.
      Falafel-Spiced Cucumber Bites
    • Overhead view of spinach and cheddar quiche with forks.
      Baby Spinach and Cheddar Quiche Made with Fresh Spinach
    • No Mayo Deviled Eggs: Skip the mayo in this appetizer favorite - guaranteed to be a hit at any party!
      No Mayo Deviled Eggs
    • Small cutting board with sliced smoked salmon roll-ups on top.
      Smoked Salmon Roll-ups with Cream Cheese

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About Ashley
    • Press + Recognition
    • Events
    • Virtual Cooking Classes
    • Podcast
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign up to receive delicious recipes and exclusive content right to your inbox!

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases at no added cost to you.

    ©2006–2026  BIG FLAVORS FROM A TINY KITCHEN LLC | ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

    *Third-party advertisers may collect or use non-personally identifiable information to serve you more relevant ads.