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Buttery Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies

These Buttery Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies are the BEST peanut butter cookies out there. With soft peanut butter cookies sandwiching a delightfully creamy filling, they are pure PB heaven, in the most buttery, irresistible way!

Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies stacked on blue plate with a glass of milk

The Best Peanut Butter Cookies

As a huge fan of peanut butter cookies, and taste-tester of many, many recipes, I can confidently say that these Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies are THE best peanut butter cookies out there!

My first experience with these peanut butter sandwich cookies happened when my family visited Seattle for the first time. I had heard that The Dahlia Bakery made the “best peanut butter cookie on the planet”, so naturally we had to check it out. And all those reviews weren’t kidding. Their peanut butter sandwich cookies are killer! They have awesome flavor and texture…and are wonderfully buttery!

When I found the recipe within the pages of The Dahlia Bakery Cookbook, I just had to take one of the books home with me as a souvenir. The recipe is included in this post, printed with permission from Tom Douglas.

cookies on a cooling rack

These peanut butter sandwich cookies are richly flavored with peanut butter, with a noticeable saltiness that leaves me completely addicted.

The cookies are perfectly soft, with the thinnest crispy exterior. And the sweet, buttery filling is beyond creamy. When you take a bite of one of these freshly made cookies, the filling squeezes out on the sides of your mouth. In this case, messy is just plain marvelous!

The baking directions are a bit quirky, as you set a baking sheet lined with chilled cookie dough inside another baking sheet to “double pan”. This ensures slow and even baking in the oven. But don’t let the quirkiness deter you – these peanut butter cookies are worth every second!

The Dahlia Bakery cookbook by Tom Douglas

What You’ll Need

These peanut butter cookie sandwiches are made with two different types of peanut butter, as well as pantry staples.

For the Peanut Butter Filling:

For the Peanut Butter Cookies:

What’s The Best Peanut Butter For Peanut Butter Cookies?

Normally, for peanut butter cookies I would recommend using any creamy peanut butter. However, this cookie recipe utilizes two different kinds of peanut butter – creamy peanut butter for the filling and crunchy natural peanut butter for the cookie.

The creamy peanut butter makes the filling so smooth and creamy, while the natural peanut butter gives the cookie an awesome texture. I use Skippy brand for the creamy peanut butter. Tom Douglas recommends Adams natural peanut butter but I’ve never been able to find it – just use your own favorite brand!

scoops of peanut butter cookie dough

How to Make Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies

These homemade peanut butter cookies are easy to make but be sure to follow the instructions carefully, as each step is important.

cookies with peanut butter frosting

Tips for Success

If you’re ready to rock these peanut butter cookie sandwiches, keep these few things in mind.

Sandwich Cookies stacked on a plate

Making Ahead & Storage

The cookie dough can be made up to 3 days in advance, as long as it’s kept cold in the fridge. That way you can just pull as many dough balls out of the fridge as you need to bake at a time. You can also freeze both the balls of dough and the fully assembled cookies for up to 3 day months.

Assembled cookies will keep at room temperature for up to 3 days.

Buttery Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies

More Peanut Butter Cookie Recipes:

Buttery Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies

Buttery Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies

Yield: 35 medium sandwich cookies
prep time: 2 hours 20 minutes
cook time: 12 minutes
total time: 2 hours 32 minutes
If you think you've already had the best peanut butter cookies in the world, I challenge you with these Buttery Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies. They are pure peanut butter heaven, in the most buttery, irresistible way!
5 Stars (1 Review)
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Ingredients

for the peanut butter filling:

  • 1.5 cups creamy peanut butter I used Skippy
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter softened
  • 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt

for the peanut butter cookies:

  • 1.5 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • 1-2/3 cup old fashioned rolled oats
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons unsalted butter softened
  • cup chunky natural peanut butter very well mixed
  • ¾ cup sugar
  • cup packed brown sugar
  • 2 large eggs at room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Instructions

  • A few things to note: The recipe I have included here reflects a smaller sized cookie than those served at Dahlia Bakery; I just wanted a slightly smaller cookie for our enjoyment at home. Also know that the shaped cookie dough requires at least 2 hours of chilling time before baking, so plan accordingly. 
  • For the peanut butter filling: In a medium bowl, combine all filling ingredients with a whisk.
  • Cover and chill the mixture until you are ready to fill the cookies.
  • For the peanut butter cookies: In a medium bowl, sift together flour, baking soda, and baking powder. Stir in oats and salt. Set dry ingredients aside.
  • In the bowl of an electric stand mixer with the paddle attachment, combine the butter, chunky peanut butter, and sugars. Cream on medium-high speed until very fluffy and pale, at least 3 minutes, scraping down the mixing bowl as needed.
  • Turn the mixer speed to medium-low and add the eggs, one at a time, beating to incorporate each egg, and scraping down the bowl as needed. Then beat in the vanilla extract.
  • Add the dry ingredients on low speed in 3 to 4 additions and mix until just combined. Do not overmix. Remove the bowl from the mixer and scrape down the bowl with a rubber spatula, going all the way to the bottom of the bowl to mix in the dry ingredients well.
  • With a medium scoop or a spoon, portion all the cookie dough into 1-tablespoon portions. Place the scoops on a parchment-lined baking sheet. You should have about 70 cookies. (You can place all the cookies close together for the chilling step – you will space them out for baking later.) Chill the scooped dough for at least 2 hours, or longer.
  • When ready to bake the cookies, preheat the oven to 375° F. Arrange 12 cookies, spaced evenly apart, per prepared baking sheet. Set the baking sheet inside another baking sheet to “double pan”, and place it in the oven. Bake until evenly golden, about 12 minutes total, rotating the pan halfway through the cooking time (very important!).
  • Remove the pan from the oven and cool on a wire rack about 10 minutes before removing the cookies with a metal spatula. Allow the cookies to cool completely. And be sure to cool the baking sheets between batches before re-using them.
  • To make sandwich cookies: Place one cookie flat side up and spread with 1 tablespoon of filling. I used the same medium 1-tablespoon ice cream scoop. If you like a fuller sandwich cookie, you may need to make a bit more filling. Top with another cookie, flat side down, pressing gently. Repeat until all the cookies are assembled into sandwiches.

Notes

Printed with permission from Tom Douglas, with my adaptations included for smaller sized cookies.

Nutrition Information:

Serving: 1 Calories: 215kcal Carbohydrates: 26g Protein: 6g Fat: 11g Saturated Fat: 3g Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g Cholesterol: 18mg Sodium: 165mg Fiber: 2g Sugar: 10g
Nutrition information is automatically calculated by Spoonacular. I am not a nutritionist and cannot guarantee accuracy. If your health depends on nutrition information, please calculate again with your own favorite calculator.
Did you make this recipe?Please leave a comment below. And share a photo on Instagram with the hashtag #afarmgirlsdabbles or tag @farmgirlsdabble!
10 things to do in Seattle

10 THINGS TO DO IN SEATTLE

Since our trip to Seattle last year (in 2014), I’ve gotten a number of email requests from readers, wondering what I recommend to see and do and eat. My family certainly didn’t do it all, but we did manage to fit in quite a bit in one week’s time. There is still so much yet to explore in and around Seattle, but here’s our family’s 10 highly recommended things to do when visiting Seattle!

Mount Rainier seen from the top of the space needle

1. Go to the top of the Space Needle

“The mountain is out!” I wonder how many times we heard that excited statement the day we rode to the top of the Space Needle, the centerpiece left from the 1962 Seattle World’s Fair.

The skies were big and bright and sunny. And from certain vantage points in the city, one could catch glimpses of Mount Rainier to the south, looking quite stately in its snow cap. And we had a magically incredible view at the Space Needle’s Observation Deck, 520 feet above the city. We ate lunch in the Needle’s revolving restaurant, SkyCity. And we totally lucked out that day. Because the mountain was out!

I had read a number of yay and nay reviews about the restaurant, and also the experience of the Observation Deck. But I just had a feeling it would be worth it for us. So I made a reservation for 6 (we invited my parents to join us for the week) a couple months ahead of time. It’s not inexpensive, I’m not gonna lie, but your dining reservation also gives you access to the Observation Deck (which isn’t cheap on its own, either) for “free”.

While the restaurant revolved during lunch, giving us a floor-to-ceiling and 360° view of the Emerald City and beyond, we relaxed and soaked up the experience like the most precious gift. Our meals were very good and the staff was attentive. Based on our experience, I’d do this again. Definitely!

Sky City restaurant dessert at Space Needle

To cap off our lunch, my mom ordered dessert for all of us. She had heard about a showy ice cream dish and wanted to surprise our girls with it. The dessert was fun and impressive, a smoke-billowing showpiece.

Tips from our experience:

Chihuly Garden & Glass in Seattle

2. Be inspired by local artist Dale Chihuly


Right next door to the Space Needle is Chihuly Garden and Glass. I’ve been enamored with Dale Chihuly’s glass blowing ever since I stood under a ceiling display of over 2,000 huge hand-blown glass blossoms at the Bellagio in Las Vegas many years ago. So this was a must-see for me.

Chihuly Garden & Glass in Seattle

Mom and I were the only ones who paid admission to walk through the glass museum and gardens. I’m so glad we did. The art was colorful with a wide range of styles. Definitely impressive.

(Pssst…Those hand-blown orbs, above, are sitting in a life-size boat!)

Chihuly Garden & Glass in Seattle

My favorite spot of all was the 40-foot tall Glasshouse, the centerpiece of the lush gardens.

a red and orange floral sculpture at Chihuly Garden & Glass in Seattle

Made of red, orange, and yellow blossoms, the suspended glass is captivating. When you stand in the middle and gaze upward, you are reminded how close you are to the Space Needle.

Tips from our experience:

family photo at Pike Place Market

3. Spend some time at Pike Place Market

When visiting Seattle, you just have to plan a trip to the Pike Place Market. If you have the time, I would even suggest a couple trips, at different times of the day. We found the experiences very different each time at this year-round farmers market. It’s a bit quirky and whole lot charming. I wish I had something like this within a few blocks of our home!

seafood at Pike Place Market in Seattle

Being from the land-locked Midwest, I’m always fascinated with the fresh fish and seafood from areas that are blessed with delicious abundance from the ocean and sea. You’ll find several large fish markets at Pike Place Market.

a flower stand at Pike Place Market

The flowers! I loved watching the women behind the counter creating gorgeous arrangements, picking just the perfect assortment of shapes and colors for each bouquet.

a fresh produce stand at Pike Place Market in Seattle

The fresh produce was incredible, with multiple vendor stalls bursting with fruits and vegetables from local farms in the Pacific Northwest.

rainier cherries being sold at Pike Place Market

It was cherry season while we were in Seattle, oh lucky us! Fresh cherries were our treat of choice during the trip.

the gum wall in Seattle

From beautiful cherries to chewed and discarded gum. Hmmmm… Our crew of 6 had wide ranging opinions of the Market Theater Gum Wall, from “disgusting” to “cool” to being only mildly amused, we all agreed we were glad we made the effort to find it under Pike Place Market in Post Alley. Can you believe it’s a popular spot for wedding photography?!

flagship Starbucks at Pike Place Market

Our oldest daughter would be disappointed if I didn’t mention her first Starbucks Frappuccino. Yes, ever since the day she knew we were headed to Seattle for the first time, she said, “That’s when I’m going to have my first Starbucks, at the flagship store.” She enjoyed every last sip of that long awaited frozen beverage, and a Frappuccino is now her treat of choice.

Tips from our experience:

Seattle Great Wheel

4. Take a spin on the Seattle Great Wheel

The Seattle Great Wheel opened in 2012. At 175 feet tall, the wheel extends nearly 40 feet beyond the end of the pier, over Elliott Bay.

view from Seattle Great Wheel

This ride was a great way to get a different view of the city, and proved to be a highlight for our girls. And I’m always up for a ferris wheel ride. :)

Tips from our experience:

Boeing tour in Everett, WA

5. Buy a ticket to a tour at Boeing

We got around Seattle by foot, monorail, and modern streetcar. But we did rent a vehicle for a few days to take in some things outside the city.

Boeing was one such stop, located just 25 miles north of Seattle in Everett, Washington. I have very few photos from this piece of our trip, though, as Boeing does not allow pictures in their plant. We were able to view jets being assembled. And until you actually see this for yourself, it’s impossible to portray the massive size of the buildings necessary to construct these huge flying machines, much less the airplanes themselves. We all thought this was a great way to spend a day. Very educational. You’ll never look at an airplane in the same way again!

Tips from our experience:

collage of Snoqualmie Falls, Washington

6. Take a drive in the country to Snoqualmie Falls

I had always seen pictures of Snoqualmie Falls, and knew that if we could fit in a drive, I wanted to see this place for myself. It’s located about 30 minutes east of Seattle and easy to get to. This waterfall is 270 feet tall, a rush of beauty sending its cooling, fine mist up to meet you on the observation deck.

I highly recommend taking the path down to the lower falls area. It was lush and thriving with beautiful Pacific Northwest flora. I had never seen mosses so big and lacy and gorgeous in all my life.

Tips from our experience:

Chateau Ste Michelle in Woodinville, WA

7. Experience Washington wine country

When we left Snoqualmie Falls, we headed a bit north to Woodinville. Home to over 100 tasting rooms, this is Columbia Valley wine country.

If it had been just Blake and me, we would have toured more wineries, for sure. But I knew our girls wouldn’t appreciate that very much. So I chose to visit just one, the oldest winery of Washington State, Chateau Ste. Michelle. Located on a beautiful, sprawling estate, this place has an Old World feel. We took part in a short winery tour and tasting, of which I’d recommend. There’s also a pretty remarkable wine shop on site.

Red Hook Brewery in Woodinville, WA

A blogging friend who lives near Woodinville (and works at Boeing) recommended we stop in at Red Hook, just across the street from Chateau Ste. Michelle. If you’re into beer, this is a great stop. I ordered a tasting flight and found a number of very likable brews. Red Hook offers brewery tours and a full menu, too.

Tips from our experience:

Mount Rainier National Park

8. Explore Mount Rainier National Park

We almost decided not to make the 50-mile trek south to Mount Rainier National Park, but I’m so glad we did.

Considered one of the most dangerous volcanoes in the world, Mount Rainier is the highest mountain in Washington and the Cascade Range, with a summit elevation of 14,411 feet.

The picture above was taken from the Summit House restaurant at Crystal Mountain Ski Resort.

Crystal Mountain near Mount Rainier National Park

Had we not stopped outside of Mount Rainier National Park’s northeast entrance near Crystal Mountain, we would never have seen the peak of the mountain that day because of the clouds. We rode the ski gondolas up through the fog to the Summit House, where we got above the cloudy cover, to witness Mount Rainier in all its glory. It really was quite awesome.

family photo at Mount Rainier National Park

We ate a tasty, casual lunch at the Summit House, with a front row seat to the mountain. Then we stepped back outside for a few more photos. It was chilly up there!

a couple looking at Mount Rainier

This is one of my favorite photos from our trip, of my parents gazing at the mountain together.

a girl playing in a stream

If you’ve ever been to a large National Park, you know how much time it takes to get around, and how many places there are to stop and hike and ponder nature’s amazingness. We barely touched on all there is to see and do at Mount Rainier, but one stop I’d recommend is the Grove of the Patriarchs. Our girls were content to just play by the river’s edge, picking smooth stones from the frigid, super clear water.

a collage of photos from Mount Rainier National Park

This trail offers an easy, short hike through MASSIVE ancient trees, some nearly 40 feet in diameter and more than 300 feet tall. There’s also a pretty little 1-person-at-a-time suspension bridge. Be sure to walk over this bridge to witness the biggest tree in that area.

paradise lodge at Mount Rainier National Park

I always love the old lodges at the National Parks, so we made sure to stop at Paradise Lodge on our way out of the park. We visited the park on a cool, cloudy day, when a sweatshirt sometimes didn’t offer quite enough warmth. But inside the lodge, the huge fireplace was burning, welcoming, with guests relaxing around it. If I ever visit this park again, I’d love to spend a night or two right there in the park. This location is also home to the Henry M Jackson Memorial Visitor Center, which offers casual food service and a gift shop.

Tips from our experience:

The Empress at Victoria, BC

9. Take the ferry to Victoria, BC for a day

When I pre-reserved seats for our family to ride the ferry to Victoria, BC on Vancouver Island, I had no idea it was actually on Canada Day (celebrated July 1st of each year). What a treat it was for us to experience the patriotism of this day with our northern neighbor! There was live music and entertainment everywhere, vendors on the street, and the local Canadians were easily spotted by their red maple-leafed t-shirts. The girls even got a picture with the Mounties in front of The Empress.

Parliament at Victoria, BC

I regret not having time to explore the Parliament of Victoria. Our daughter’s teacher had recommended to visit while it was in session, but our timing didn’t work out. Those roses on the right lined one edge of the Parliament’s lawn. Spectacular!

Butchart Gardens at Victoria, BC

We spent a good amount of our day about 14 miles north of Victoria at Butchart Gardens, lush and abundant with color. If you love a splendid well-tended garden, make this a priority when visiting Victoria. My favorite space was the Sunken Garden (above), cradled within the walls of an old quarry.

Butchart Gardens at Victoria, BC

The roses. Can you smell them?! I can’t begin to explain how magnificent the Rose Garden was.

fish and chips

Before boarding the ferry back to Seattle, we sat along Victoria’s waterfront and ordered some fresh fish and chips. I’d say it was the perfect (delicious) send-off!

Tips from our experience:

Serious Pie & Biscuit in Seattle

10. Grab some eats at Tom Douglas’ restaurants

This is where I wrap up our trip to Seattle and bring it full-circle, back to Tom Douglas and those amazing peanut butter sandwich cookies. There is so much good eating in Seattle, but I can’t help but call out the restaurants that we visited by Tom Douglas, because each and every meal was awesome.

The pizza above was enjoyed on our first evening in Seattle, from Serious Pie & Biscuit on Westlake Ave. There are a couple other Serious Pie locations, but this one was closest to our hotel on Lake Union. When I think of the best pizza I’ve ever had, Serious Pie is a top contender. They also offer a variety of local brews, plus house-made root beer and grape soda. This is where our youngest daughter learned to love root beer.

Dahlia Bakery and Dahlia Lounge

We also stopped in at Dahlia Bakery to calm a snack attack. I ordered a mini triple coconut cream pie bite (slices of this pie are a signature dessert at Douglas’ restaurants) and a peanut butter sandwich cookie. Because I just had to see what all the hype was about. Just trust me. Seek out both of these desserts when you’re in Seattle.

Dahlia Lounge is right next door to Dahlia Bakery, and this is where our family enjoyed a special dinner together one evening. The service and experience were wonderful, just like our meal, from beginning to end. Dad and I each ordered the 5-spice duck that I had read so much about, and this tender, perfectly-spiced dish did not disappoint.

On the morning of the 4th of July, we walked to Serious Pie & Biscuit again, this time to partake in the biscuits. My husband is a breakfast guy through and through, and he’ll tell you this was one of his favorite meals during our week in Seattle. The biscuits were tender and flavorful, with a beautifully crispy exterior. I enjoyed mine with a lovely egg dish, while Blake and Hatti savored every last bite of their fried chicken with Tabasco black pepper gravy. And Tessa just ate hers with creamy butter and house peach-vanilla bean jam. :)

Tips from our experience: