Peanut Butter Oatmeal Sandwich Cookies

It's that time of year again- Girl Scout cookie time!  And each year we can rely on three things:  (1) little girls will be stationed outside grocery store doors everywhere, (2) the price of a box will go up, and (3) the number of cookies per box will go down.

While Do-si-dos never were a favorite of mine (I'm a sucker for the Tagalongs and Samoas), this at home version takes the cake.  They are soft and chewy and delicious.  Really.  They just melt-in-your-mouth and are full of peanut butter goodness.  And I was able to use up some peanut butter!  The recipe said I would get 18 sandwich cookies, and that's exactly what I got- a rarity in baking. 

So step in the kitchen, wear braided pigtails (yes I did this), and make a cookie that takes you back to your childhood.  While saving a little money, too :)

Peanut Butter Oatmeal Sandwich Cookies

Makes 18 sandwich cookies

3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup quick-cooking oats


For the Filling:
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
3 tablespoons heavy cream

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter, peanut butter and both sugars on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the egg and vanilla extract. Mix until combined. With the mixer on low speed, slowly add the dry ingredients, mixing just until combined. Finally, add the oats and mix until just combined.

Take about 1 tablespoon of dough and roll into a cookie ball. Place on prepared baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches between the cookies. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the cookies are slightly golden and the edges are set. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

While the cookies are cooling, make the filling. Combine the butter, peanut butter and powdered sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Beat until smooth. Add the heavy cream and beat until light and fluffy. Using a knife, spread peanut butter filling onto the flat side of a cookie. Find a cookie the same size and sandwich the cookies together, pressing the filling to the edges.

Adapted from Two Peas and Their Pod.