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I woke up this morning to chaos.  That’s really the only way to describe it.

A shooting on my alma mater’s campus. One suspect down. One at large.

Lockdown. Bombs. Grenades. Manhunt.

It’s really too much to fathom that this is the world in which we now live.  The world of the future.

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Hold your loved ones close and make a double batch of these cookies.

We’re gonna need ’em.

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Because the only thing that can calm us in these crazy times is some peanut butter on peanut butter action.  Let’s get baking.

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And everyone in Boston please stay safe, stay inside, stay away from your windows and doors, and be smart.  We are all going to make it through this.

Well, except for the suspects. They can rot in hell and/or prison for all I care.

#BostonStrong

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One year ago…Roasted Asparagus and Tomato Pasta Salad with Goat Cheese
Two years ago…(Boston) Marathon Cookies
Three years ago..Mark Bittman’s Brownies
Four years ago…Thai Sweet Potato Curry

Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies
Makes 24, adapted from The Dahlia Bakery Cookbook

Ingredients
For the filling: 

  • 1 1/2 cups (400 g) creamy peanut butter, such as Skippy
  • 6 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 tbsp powdered sugar
  • 2 tbsp honey
  • 1 tsp kosher salt

For the cookies: 

  • 1 1/2 cups (227 g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1 2/3 cups rolled oats
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • 1 cup plus 2 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/3 cup (125 g) crunchy natural peanut butter
  • 3/4 cup (150 g) sugar
  • 2/3 cup (150 g) brown sugar
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. For the filling, whisk together all of the filling ingredients in a bowl. Cover and chill until the cookies are ready to be filled.
  2. For the cookies, in a bowl whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, rolled oats and salt. Set aside.
  3. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the butter, chunky peanut butter and sugars on medium-high until pale and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
  4. Turn the mixer to low and add the eggs, one at a time, scraping down the bowl after each addition. Add in the vanilla extract. Add the dry ingredients on low speed in 4 additions. Mix until just combined. Remove the bowl from the mixer and scrape with a rubber spatula, making sure any dry ingredients at the bottom get mixed in.
  5. Using a 1 oz scoop (I used a 1 1/2 tbsp cookie scoop), portion all the cookies into scoops on a parchment-lined baking sheet. There should be about 48 cookies. Chill for at least 2 hours or overnight.
  6. Preheat oven to 375. Arrange 8 cookies, spaced evenly apart on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Don’t flatten the cookies! Set the baking sheet inside another baking sheet and place them in the oven. Bake about 12 minutes, rotating the pan halfway, or until evenly golden. Remove from the oven and let cool for 10 minutes on the pan. Remove to a wire rack to cool completely.
  7. When the cookies are completely cool, turn one cookie flat side up and spread with about 2 tsp filling (I used a small cookie scoop, which is about 2 tsp). Top with another cookie and press gently so that the filling spreads out. Repeat until all the cookies have been turned into sandwiches.

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You are reading this post on Eats Well With Others at https://joanne-eatswellwithothers.com. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to the author and or owner of Eats Well With Others. All rights reserved by Joanne Bruno.
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67 Responses to Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies ("the nora ephron")

  1. bellini says:

    These cookies will soothe our souls Joanne.

  2. I just recently bought the Dahlia Bakery Cookbook and was curious about the Nora Ephron. They look so chewy and like perfect sandwich making cookies; hence you made sandwiches.

    Your morning sounds beyond frightful. Please stay safe!!!

  3. I echo your sentiments. It’s been a hard week. First, my friend lost a baby. Then, Boston marathon, now this? My heart is truly heavy. I’ll make cookies and give to those I love. Thanks.

  4. Simply Life says:

    Thanks, Joanne. This is the strangest week I’ve ever had- hoping it’s over soon…and wishing I had some of the cookies to get me through…

  5. Johanna GGG says:

    I am glad you have the cookies at the ready – you really do need them this week – hope Boston calms down because it must be so stressful living there right now

  6. london bakes says:

    Every morning the news seems to get more and more terrifying. Can’t even imagine what it must be like to be in Boston right now.

  7. Sarah says:

    These look AMAZING.

    Stay safe!! I’m from CT and ME, and I’m in NC right now (temporarily) and even I am freaked the heck out.

  8. Perfectly okay to eat your feelings! It’s the little control you can have in a crazy world sometimes.

  9. So scary for the people of Boston, I hope they’re caught soon. Now, if only we could figure out a way to ship the population a box of their own pb sandwich cookies, I’d be happy. They sound and look awesome!

  10. You said it friend! Stay strong in this crazy world with a smart head and cookies. I want one!! P.S – I’m making your rhubarb tartlets tomorrow. SO excited!!

  11. Thanks, Joanne. It is so scary and crazy to be living in Boston right now. Thanks for keeping Boston in your thoughts…
    And these pb sandwich cookies look awesome 🙂

  12. I’ve been shocked by reading the reports this morning since I woke up. We could all use some comfort and cookies baked with love is a simple, but wonderful way to provide it.

  13. SallyBR says:

    Would you believe we have two grad students flying to Boston today for a meeting?

    I am not sure they will be able to get where they are going

    The city must be a complete chaos indeed, I just hope they get the second suspect alive and kicking.

  14. I can’t imagine the emotions you are feeling. Thinking about you today!!

  15. All good wishes to you – what a terrible time. These cookies look like they will help you through!
    Mary x

  16. Amy says:

    It’s crazy!! How did we get here…to this? It makes me want to hold my kids tightly and never ever leave the house. I need about 100 of those cookies. So sad.

  17. Monet says:

    It has been such a crazy and sad week. I agree. We all need to hold our loved ones closer. And pull out the peanut butter. Thank you for sharing, sweet girl. Now to peruse all the other lovely recipes you’ve shared this week. I’m sure I’ll find inspiration for dinner (now that dessert is covered!)!

  18. Jessie says:

    *Hugs* Joanne – this is so completely scary, and I’ve been glued to the news all morning instead of getting work done. I can’t even imagine … I could use a whole truckload of those cookies right now.

  19. These look like Girl Scout Do-Si-Does! I love them–right now the city of Boston is in lockdown. It is really like a movie.

  20. Crazy stuff Joanne. I am just catching up on all of it now and I hope they catch him ASAP!

  21. You’re so right. TImes like these really can only be solved with the comfort of peanut butter. Not to mention that it’s just delicious in general.

  22. I have every confidence that these cookies can solve all problems. Such perfect peanut butter comfort <3

  23. I always turn to food in times of stress and chaos. This world is a scary world and I am getting so tired of all the violence. These cookies are calming my nerves down a bit though. I have a weakness for peanut butter.

  24. Nizz says:

    I’ve never been through such thing :/ but comfort cookies are always welcome 🙂
    Everything’s gonna be ok!

  25. Definitely a good time to get together with loved ones and eat comforting cookies.

  26. I didn’t know what to make as a treat for my hubby’s b-day but, this is what I’m making!! I have all the ingredients. He will be happy after working all day to come home to dinner and these! Thank you 🙂 Have a great weekend.

  27. Hoping this week has just been all a bad dream. So sorry to hear of the most recent shooting, that is horrible. Thank you for sharing these cookies, Joanne.

  28. Sara says:

    Keeping you and everyone affected by the manhunt today in my prayers…I have a lot of friends/family in the area and it’s such a scary situation. 🙁

    These cookies do look amazing though! I’m a huge fan of pb sandwich cookies. 🙂

  29. This week has just been awful! Thank goodness I have these cookies to keep me calm 🙂

  30. No words, no words.

    (Apart from ‘wo, yum’)

    <3

  31. I really want one (or two) of these right now.

  32. OohLookBel says:

    Double cookies with filling are certain to make anyone feel a little bit better =)

  33. such a tragic week. prayers for boston and texas! and wowsers, those cookies look delish!

  34. these cookies are great and for sure hold our love ones close

  35. That Girl says:

    If it makes you feel better, my husband just looked over my shoulder and told me how good these cookies looked.

  36. I think you’ve hit the top of the heap with this recipe. They look fantastic!

    We’ve all been glued to the TV over here in Australia. I have lots of rellies in Boston and spent a lot of time there as a kid. It’s a fantastic city and the people have the entire world in awe at how they’ve handled themselves during this crisis.

  37. Revathi says:

    Supper delicious one….filling snack nice clicks

  38. Kari says:

    My views exactly. And my sort of cookies exactly. Thank you!

  39. Hotly Spiced says:

    Lovely looking cookies and Nora is one of my heroes. Just love how she turned an abysmal situation into a New York Times bestselling book and global movie sensation xx

  40. These look scrummy and thankfully today you wake up to one more threat removed from our world!

  41. P says:

    I think we can all look to cookies for comfort in times like these. This week has been overwhelming for tons of people…thankfully, justice is prevailing and we can all get through this 🙂

  42. Cathleen says:

    This has been an awful week for everyone. Luckily you have these cookies

  43. Mary Younkin says:

    These cookies look absolutely perfect, Joanne! The week has been awful for so many people. Definitely a great weekend to stay home with loved ones. (and cookies!)

  44. Chris says:

    Such a long week, numbing. I am so fortunate to have my family and friends all safe.

  45. Everything’s better with peanut butter. These look great as usual 🙂

  46. What a good idea to celebrate surviving the awful episode with baking therapy. Who knew that this time of the year would put so much stress on hapless citizens. Between staying indoors, huddling with the fellas at home, no office and telecommute, how appropriate to take a moment to indulge! Love the photos, beautiful!

  47. These sandwich peanut butter cookies look comforting and delicious.

  48. Barbara says:

    My thoughts and prayers go to the people of Boston and the families of the fallen. I do hope this is NOT the new normal.
    Homemade cookies are definitely comfort food. These look delicious!

  49. Monica says:

    What an insanely horrible week it’s been. I, too, found comfort in the kitchen and making meals to share with my family. These cookies look so good!

  50. Ashley says:

    What does it say about me that I just ate scones slathered in Nutella and now I want these cookies? YUMMM!

  51. Dining Alone says:

    These are a great way to celebrate the end of that terror in Boston!

  52. Cait says:

    These cookies look amazing. But honestly — this isn’t the world of the future, and thinking that it is is feeding into the mentality of fear that terrorism means to spread. This is a lot of awful things happening all in the same week. And, thankfully, a lot of incredible people responding with strength and dignity.

  53. I am completely obsessed with sandwich cookies right now! I think I have 3 recipes sitting in my archives just waiting to make it onto the blog. Looks like I’m going to have to add a fourth…I can never resist peanut butter 🙂

    And yes, Friday was absolutely insane. I was glued to the tv all day – and so relieved when they finally captured the guy.

  54. Jenn Kendall says:

    a sandwich cookie sounds super delicious to me at the moment, they look so good!!

  55. Maybe if their mother would have baked them peanut butter cookies…

    Thank goodness the craziness is over but the scars will live on forever for many people.

    These cookie so delicious, Joanne. Yes, a kiss, a cookie and a big hug for all of our loved ones.

  56. I can’t believe everything that happened in Boston Friday, it was like something out of a movie and hard to believe it was real life.. I’m so glad they caught him in the end but I’m sure it will take a long time for the people there to forget. On a lighter note, these look like the most wonderful sandwich cookies I’ve ever seen!

  57. Natalie G says:

    Sandwich cookies are so good, especially when they are filled with PB! Damn gotta pin these for later 🙂

  58. I have never tried such a recipe, sandwich cookies? Mmmm sounds strange. But looks great. So not a bad option to try.

  59. Great post 🙂 And I agree! These cookies totally would have made my time stuck inside on Friday a little bit better. But at least we got him and he won’t be hurting anyone else!

    Sues

  60. grace says:

    these cookies don’t need a filling and that filling doesn’t need cookies, but i’ll take the sandwich if you’re offering. 🙂

  61. I am glad I didn’t have these in my house friday b/c i would’ve stress eaten the entire batch! or perhaps i wish that i did have them so i could’ve brought them to all the law enforcement that worked so hard!

  62. Eileen says:

    Cookies definitely help.

  63. Reeni Pisano says:

    I gorged on peanut butter cookies this weekend too! They didn’t have a delectable filling like this though. These trump mine!

  64. I definitely could have used these during the lockdown. I considered baking to keep my mind busy but was just glued to the news.

  65. Featuring these in my bookmarks tomorrow 🙂

  66. Laura says:

    These look so, so, SO good. Pinning immediately. Yum.

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