Do you remember the joy of unwrapping a Nutter Butter as a kid? The perfect blend of peanut flavor and crunchy cookie always hit the spot. I’ve missed that nostalgic taste and decided to bring it back home.
Creating a copycat Nutter Butter was both fun and rewarding. With just a few simple ingredients, you can whip up these delightful treats in no time. Whether you’re craving a sweet snack or looking to share a favorite childhood memory, this recipe has got you covered.
Ingredients
To recreate the beloved Nutter Butter cookies, you’ll need the following ingredients. I’ve organized them in the order we’ll be using them to ensure a smooth baking process.
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Make sure all your ingredients are at room temperature for the best results. This will help in achieving that perfect, chewy texture reminiscent of the original Nutter Butter cookies.
Equipment
To recreate these delicious Nutter Butter cookies, you’ll need the following equipment in your kitchen:
- Mixing Bowls
A set of medium and large mixing bowls for combining ingredients and creaming butter and sugars.
- Electric Mixer
A stand or hand mixer to achieve a smooth and fluffy texture when creaming the butter and sugars.
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
Accurate measuring tools for both dry and wet ingredients to ensure the perfect balance of flavors.
- Spatula
A silicone spatula to scrape down the sides of the bowls and mix ingredients thoroughly.
- Cookie Scoop or Spoon
For portioning the dough evenly, ensuring consistent cookie sizes and even baking.
- Baking Sheets
Rimmed baking sheets to provide space for the cookies to spread without touching the oven walls.
- Parchment Paper or Silicone Baking Mats
To line your baking sheets, preventing sticking and making cleanup a breeze.
- Cooling Rack
Allow cookies to cool completely and maintain their crunchy texture by placing them on a cooling rack.
- Oven
Preheated to the specified temperature to bake the cookies evenly and achieve the desired texture.
- Mixing Spoon
A sturdy wooden or metal spoon for initial mixing if you’re not using an electric mixer.
Having these tools ready will make the process of baking your Nutter Butter copycat cookies smooth and enjoyable, ensuring results that match the beloved originals.
Instructions
Recreating these beloved Nutter Butter cookies is easier than you might think. Follow these steps to bring the nostalgic flavors back to your kitchen.
Prepare the Cookie Dough
- Cream the Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 cup (227g) of unsalted butter, softened to room temperature, with 3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar and 1 cup (120g) powdered sugar. Use an electric mixer on medium speed to cream until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Beat in 1 large egg and 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract until well incorporated.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together 2 1/4 cups (280g) all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, and 1/2 teaspoon salt.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined. Avoid overmixing to ensure a tender cookie.
- Chill the Dough: Divide the dough into two equal portions, wrap each in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Chilling helps the cookies maintain their shape during baking.
Make the Peanut Butter Filling
- Prepare the Filling Base: In a medium bowl, beat together 1/2 cup (128g) creamy peanut butter and 1/4 cup (57g) unsalted butter until smooth and creamy.
- Sweeten the Filling: Add 1/2 cup (100g) powdered sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract to the peanut butter mixture. Beat until well combined and fluffy.
- Adjust Consistency: If the filling is too thick, add a teaspoon of milk at a time until desired consistency is reached for easy spreading.
Assemble the Nutter Butters
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
- Shape the Cookies: Remove the chilled dough from the refrigerator. Use a cookie scoop or spoon to portion out 1 tablespoon of dough per cookie. Roll each portion into a ball and place them on the prepared baking sheets, spacing about 2 inches apart.
- Bake the Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack to cool completely.
- Fill the Cookies: Once cooled, spread a generous teaspoon of the peanut butter filling onto the flat side of one cookie. Top with another cookie, pressing gently to create a sandwich. Repeat with the remaining cookies and filling.
- Chill and Serve: Place the assembled cookies in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes to set the filling. Enjoy your homemade Nutter Butter cookies with a glass of milk or your favorite beverage.
Make-Ahead Instructions
Preparing your Nutter Butter cookies ahead of time ensures you always have these delightful treats ready to enjoy. Here’s how I manage make-ahead steps to streamline your baking process and maintain freshness:
Step 1: Prepare the Dough Ahead
- Mix the Dough: Follow the recipe to cream the butter and sugars, add the egg and vanilla, then incorporate the dry ingredients.
- Chill the Dough: Once the dough is mixed, divide it into two portions. Shape each portion into a flat disc.
- Wrap and Refrigerate: Wrap each disc tightly in plastic wrap and place them in the refrigerator.
- Storage Time: The chilled dough can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Step 2: Freeze the Dough for Extended Storage
- Wrap for Freezing: After shaping the dough into discs, wrap each one tightly in plastic wrap.
- Use Freezer-Safe Containers: Place the wrapped discs in an airtight freezer-safe bag or container.
- Label and Freeze: Label the containers with the date and store them in the freezer.
- Storage Time: The dough can be frozen for up to 3 months.
- Thaw Before Baking: To bake, transfer the dough to the refrigerator overnight to thaw.
Step 3: Assemble and Freeze Cookies
- Prepare Peanut Butter Filling: Make the peanut butter filling as per the recipe instructions.
- Assemble Cookies: Spread the filling between two dough discs to form cookies.
- Freeze Assembled Cookies: Place the assembled cookies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Solidify: Freeze the cookies until the filling is firm, approximately 1 hour.
- Store Frozen Cookies: Transfer the frozen cookies to an airtight container or freezer bag.
- Storage Time: Assembled cookies can be frozen for up to 3 months.
Step 4: Store Baked Cookies
- Bake as Needed: When ready to enjoy, bake the cookies according to the recipe instructions.
- Cool Completely: Allow the baked cookies to cool completely on a cooling rack.
- Airtight Storage: Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature.
- Storage Duration: Baked cookies stay fresh for up to 1 week.
- Freeze for Longer Storage: For extended freshness, place baked cookies in a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
Make-Ahead and Storage Summary
| Task | Time Required | Storage Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Prepare and Chill Dough | 30 minutes + chilling | Up to 3 days (refrigerate) or 3 months (freeze) |
| Assemble and Freeze Cookies | 45 minutes + freezing | Up to 3 months (freeze) |
| Bake and Store Cookies | 15 minutes baking + cooling | 1 week (room) or 3 months (freeze) |
By following these make-ahead instructions, you can enjoy homemade Nutter Butter cookies anytime with minimal effort. Whether you’re planning for a special occasion or just want to have a sweet treat on hand, these steps ensure your cookies remain fresh and delicious.
Storage Tips
Keeping your homemade Nutter Butter cookies fresh and delicious is simple with these storage strategies. I’ve perfected these methods to ensure every bite retains that perfect crunch and rich peanut flavor.
Room Temperature Storage
Store your cookies in an airtight container to maintain freshness. I prefer using a large plastic container with a tight seal or a sturdy glass jar. Layer the cookies with parchment paper between each layer to prevent sticking.
- Duration: Up to 1 week
Freezing for Longer Freshness
Freezing is an excellent option for preserving your cookies over an extended period. Follow these steps to freeze your Nutter Butter copycats effectively:
- Arrange Cookies: Place the cooled cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet. Ensure they aren’t touching to prevent sticking.
- Pre-Freeze: Freeze the cookies for about 1-2 hours until they are firm.
- Package: Transfer the frozen cookies to a freezer-safe container or a resealable plastic freezer bag. Remove as much air as possible to avoid freezer burn.
- Label: Don’t forget to label the container with the date for easy tracking.
- Duration: Up to 3 months
Thawing Frozen Cookies
When you’re ready to enjoy your frozen Nutter Butter cookies, thaw them properly to restore their original texture:
- Remove from Freezer: Take the desired number of cookies out of the freezer.
- Room Temperature: Let them sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes. This allows the cookies to soften naturally without becoming soggy.
- Serve: Enjoy your perfectly thawed cookies with a glass of milk or your favorite beverage.
Quick Reference Table
| Storage Method | Container Type | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Room Temperature | Airtight plastic container or glass jar | Up to 1 week |
| Freezing | Freezer-safe container or resealable freezer bag | Up to 3 months |
| Thawing | N/A | 30 minutes at room temperature |
By following these storage tips, you can savor your Nutter Butter copycat cookies anytime, keeping their delightful taste and texture intact.
Conclusion
Baking these Nutter Butter copycat cookies has been such a rewarding experience. There’s something special about bringing back those childhood memories with each bite. I love how easy it is to make them at home and how customizable the recipe can be.
I hope you enjoy making and sharing these treats as much as I did. Whether you’re reminiscing about the past or creating new memories, these cookies are sure to bring smiles. Happy baking!
