I conducted a very important and highly scientific poll on Instagram the other day and the results were rather surprising. I posted a very basic image of peanut butter and saltine sandwiches and asked if it was a thing that other people also enjoyed during their childhood. So, let me ask you? Were you down with PB&S sammies too?
For me, this is a treat that is loaded with memories and it’s heartwarming to hear that it evokes nostalgia in so many others as well. It was endearing to hear your variations on this classic treat; Ritz Crackers
instead of saltines, a dollop of jelly on top of the peanut butter, a smear of butter, a drizzle of honey, a swirl of maple syrup, a hunk of chocolate and toasty marshmallows, even a savory substitute of yellow mustard on saltines. Many of you shared who first fixed you this memorable snack or shared the post with friends who'd appreciate the nostalgia. All of your memories resonated with me and each comment brought a smile to my face. It’s funny how food can stir up so much in our psyches.
instead of saltines
, a dollop of jelly
on top of the peanut butter
, a smear of butter, a drizzle of honey
, a swirl of maple syrup
, a hunk of chocolate
and toasty marshmallows
, even a savory substitute of yellow mustard
on saltines. Many of you shared who first fixed you this memorable snack or shared the post with friends who'd appreciate the nostalgia. All of your memories resonated with me and each comment brought a smile to my face. It’s funny how food can stir up so much in our psyches.This humble combo represents much more than a beloved after-school snack for me personally. Peanut butter and saltines were the end all and be all treat. This was as good as it got, I mean that, and boy was it good. I distinctly remember my mom reaching for a box of saltines as I spotted the jar of donated, off-brand peanut butter gleaming high up on the food bank shelves. Knowing we'd leave with the ingredients for my most indulgent and savored treat was a truly joyous feeling that would become a fundamentally memorable piece of my somewhat troubled early childhood.
and saltines
were the end all and be all treat. This was as good as it got, I mean that, and boy was it good. I distinctly remember my mom reaching for a box of saltines as I spotted the jar of donated, off-brand peanut butter gleaming high up on the food bank shelves. Knowing we'd leave with the ingredients for my most indulgent and savored treat was a truly joyous feeling that would become a fundamentally memorable piece of my somewhat troubled early childhood.We didn’t have much in my first few years. I could hold all of my belongings in my tiny arms; Maynard my hand-me-down teddybear with the wonky marbled eyes, a happy meal box from McDonald’s that I actually treasured more than whatever toy came inside and my most beloved possession of all, my bunny blankie - sewn just for me by my Grandma and always bundled up by my side since the day I was born.
Peanut butter on saltines signified stability and comfort. If we had peanut butter saltines as a snack, we were in a good space. We had food and shelter, which wasn't always the case. Peanut Butter Saltine sandwiches were our trip to 31 flavors, our day at the park, our Disneyland. This was the treat that kept my mom and I going during those years of struggle and poverty. They brought a small moment of escape from the sadness and hopelessness we often felt. Like when the bullies in our complex would chase me off the playground, or when they stole my wagon right out of my hands. Or when Kenny, aka Chuckie, our red-headed, troublemaker neighbor kid. ripped the head off my only Barbie, popped me in the mouth and left me with a fat, bloodied lip the first day we moved into a new place. When we had to move again and again because my 20 year old, single mom couldn’t make rent. I will spare you the details of the gut wrenching memories and heartbreaking tribulations my mom and I survived, life was not easy on us. But, we had each other and we had our own version of luxuries, notably peanut butter and saltine sandwiches.
on saltines
signified stability and comfort. If we had peanut butter saltines as a snack, we were in a good space. We had food and shelter, which wasn't always the case. Peanut Butter Saltine sandwiches were our trip to 31 flavors, our day at the park, our Disneyland. This was the treat that kept my mom and I going during those years of struggle and poverty. They brought a small moment of escape from the sadness and hopelessness we often felt. Like when the bullies in our complex would chase me off the playground, or when they stole my wagon right out of my hands. Or when Kenny, aka Chuckie, our red-headed, troublemaker neighbor kid. ripped the head off my only Barbie, popped me in the mouth and left me with a fat, bloodied lip the first day we moved into a new place. When we had to move again and again because my 20 year old, single mom couldn’t make rent. I will spare you the details of the gut wrenching memories and heartbreaking tribulations my mom and I survived, life was not easy on us. But, we had each other and we had our own version of luxuries, notably peanut butter and saltine sandwiches.
This recipe for Saltine Peanut Butter Cookies is extra meaningful to me, as it is a tribute of sorts to the rough times my mom and I faced all of those years ago. My Saltine Peanut Butter Cookies pay homage to my original comfort food. The flavor profile is the same, but the recipe has grown up without outgrowing the roots of the original, a lot like me. I started with the peanut butter cookie base from my all time fave recipe for Salted Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies and went from there. Soft and squishy peanut butter cookie dough gets smooshed between two crunchy saltine crackers just before baking. The gooey cookies combined with the salty crunch of the crackers makes these Saltine Peanut Butter Cookies a textural dream.
Biting into these Saltine Peanut Butter Cookies, you'll be instantly transported back to the classic after school snack. Then, transported back to the future where you never knew that after school snack would become more special than a very special after school special. The nutty cookie flavor sandwiched between two extra crispy saltine crackers is an unmistakably nostalgic comfort. If you were one of those kids that enjoyed the classic snack, I'm telling you right now, these Saltine Peanut Butter Cookies are a must.
Do it for your your inner child, bake up a batch of these Saltine Peanut Butter Cookies. Then share them with the next generation, I have a feeling this will become a thing.
until they are fully blended and super light and fluffy. Like this.
cookie smooshed between two saltines
.
, just as you would a regular peanut butter cookie.
just before baking.
lined baking sheet
and give the saltines an extra golden crispness.
, try and resist.
Recipe
Saltine Peanut Butter Cookies
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 36 cookies
Description
Soft and squishy peanut butter cookies are sandwiched between two extra crispy saltine crackers for the ultimate salty, sweet, soft & crunchy cookie ever.
Ingredients
Units
- 3 cups all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter (- at room temperature)
- 1 cup brown sugar
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup smooth peanut butter
- 2 large eggs (-at room temperature)
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 72 saltine crackers
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt together in a bowl and whisk to combine.
- Using a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, blend together the butter, sugar and brown sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3-5 minutes. Be sure to scrape the sides of the bowl down a couple of times with a rubber spatula.
- Add the peanut butter and and cream together for about a minute, scrape the sides of the bowl down again.
- Crack the eggs into a liquid measuring cup and add the vanilla. Slowly add to the sugar mixture one egg at a time, allow the first egg to blend in completely before adding the second egg. Scrape the sides of the bowl down.
- With the mixer on a low speed, gradually add the dry ingredients. Once fully mixed, be sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl and blend until the dough is just mixed and cohesive.
- Using a 2 tablespoon cookie scoop, form cookie dough balls and place on a lined baking sheet.
- Then gently squish the dough balls between 2 saltine crackers until they are about ¾" thick disks.
- Place 8-9 cookies on lined baking sheets and bake for 10-ish minutes, until the cookies are lightly browned and crisp around the edges but still soft in the middle.
- Allow to cool on the baking sheets before serving. Or if you're like me, eat them when they are still all warm and squishy.
Notes
Based off my original recipe for Salted Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies, possibly my all time favorite cookie. Make this addicting recipe next, you won't regret it!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: Cookies
drepompey says
thank you very much for this beautiful kit
Cheer says
I saw this recipe and immediately pinned it, knowing it would meet my expectations, went and bought a box of saltines, and I will make these this weekend, just having passed the recipe again while perusing my bookmarked blogs, I read your post, your words are so inspiring and bring hope to someone stuck in a rut or bad situation....recipes come from all places but when one speaks to you about life it becomes more special, thank you for sharing
beckysue says
Hi there! Thanks so much for sharing this, you made my day. It moves me knowing that you found some inspiration from my words and recipe. I've totally been there, sometimes all it takes is just a little inspiration to get you out of a yucky rut. So happy these fun little cookies helped. Hope you enjoy the recipe! <3 Becky Sue
Cheer says
I did make them and wow, they are truly so good, I'd say even better on day two as some kind of flavor exchange occurred between the cookie part and the saltine, I called my daughter and told her all about them, I think they are going to be a "thing" now:)
beckysue says
Ahh, I love this! I think you're right about that next day thing. So glad they are a thing for you too, now! <3