Homemade Copycat Nutter Butters — The Perfect Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookie

If you grew up loving those iconic peanut-shaped sandwich cookies known as Nutter Butters, then you’re about to fall in love all over again—because today we’re making them from scratch. These Homemade Copycat Nutter Butters taste even better than the store-bought version: crisp edges, a soft center, deep roasted-peanut flavor, and a creamy, sweet peanut butter filling that melts perfectly between two lightly golden cookies.

This homemade version recreates the original’s nostalgic charm while adding a richer, more authentic peanut taste. And best of all, they’re surprisingly easy to make. No special molds needed — with a simple shaping technique using a fork, you can make perfect peanut-shaped cookies in minutes.

This long-form recipe guide will walk you through everything: the dough, shaping, baking, filling, storage, tips, variations, and secrets to achieving that signature flavor and texture.

Why You’ll Love These Homemade Nutter Butters

1. Real peanut flavor

Store-bought cookies rely heavily on artificial flavoring. Homemade ones use real peanut butter — which means a deeper, more natural nutty taste.

2. Perfect texture

The cookie is crisp on the outside but slightly soft in the center, making every bite incredibly satisfying.

3. The filling is creamy and rich

The luscious peanut butter frosting filling is the star: smooth, sweet, and packed with flavor.

4. They store beautifully

You can keep these cookies for days, freeze them, or pack them into lunchboxes.

5. Fun and nostalgic

Whether you grew up eating Nutter Butters or you’re introducing them to new generations, this recipe delivers the classic experience in a fun, homemade way.

Ingredients

For the Peanut Butter Cookies:

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup creamy peanut butter
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt

For the Peanut Butter Filling:

• 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1–2 tbsp milk or cream

Instructions

1. Cream the butter and sugars.
   Beat butter, peanut butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
2. Add egg and vanilla.
   Mix until well combined.
3. Whisk dry ingredients.
   In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
4. Combine.
   Add dry mixture into the wet mixture until a soft dough forms.
5. Shape the cookies.
   Roll small pieces of dough into ovals, flatten lightly, and use a fork to make crisscross marks resembling the classic peanut shell texture.
6. Bake.
   Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 8–10 minutes until lightly golden.
7. Cool completely.
   Let cookies cool on a wire rack before filling.
8. Make the filling.
   Mix peanut butter, butter, powdered sugar, and milk until smooth.
9. Assemble.
   Spread or pipe filling onto one cookie and sandwich with another.

Homemade Copycat Nutter Butters

Soft, peanut-shaped cookies sandwiched with creamy peanut butter filling, recreating the nostalgic Nutter Butters in a rich, homemade version.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Servings: 20 sandwich cookies

Course: Dessert, Snack

Cuisine: American

Calories: 190

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Cookie Dough

• 0.5 cup unsalted butter softened
• 1 cup creamy peanut butter
• 0.5 cup granulated sugar
• 0.5 cup brown sugar packed
• 1 egg large
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1.5 cups all-purpose flour
• 0.5 tsp baking soda
• 0.5 tsp baking powder
• 0.25 tsp salt

Filling

• 0.5 cup creamy peanut butter
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter softened
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1-2 tbsp milk or cream

Equipment

• Mixing bowls
• Baking sheet
• Wire rack
• Hand mixer or stand mixer

Method

 

1. Cream butter, peanut butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
2. Add egg and vanilla and mix well.
3. Whisk flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl.
4. Add dry mixture to wet mixture and combine to form dough.
5. Shape dough into small ovals, flatten, and create crisscross texture using a fork.
6. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 8–10 minutes until lightly golden.
7. Cool completely on a wire rack.
8. Mix peanut butter, butter, powdered sugar, and milk to create the filling.
9. Spread or pipe filling onto one cookie and sandwich with another.

Notes

For a more authentic look, pinch the middle of each cookie slightly to mimic the peanut shape.

Tips for the Best Copycat Nutter Butters

Don’t overbake

These cookies should remain slightly soft when pulled from the oven.

Chill the dough if soft

Warm dough spreads too much; chilling helps maintain shape.

Use creamy peanut butter

Natural peanut butters are too oily and inconsistent for this recipe; use classic creamy peanut butter like Jif or Skippy.

Pipe for perfect filling

Using a piping bag ensures even distribution and a clean presentation.

Store properly

Keep cookies in an airtight container for 5 days or freeze up to 2 months.

Fun Variations

Chocolate-Dipped Nutter Butters

Dip half the cookie in melted chocolate — irresistible.

Crunchy Filling

Mix crushed peanuts into the filling for texture.

Extra Thick Sandwich Cookies

Double the filling for a bakery-style version.

Mini Nutter Butters

Make tiny, bite-sized versions for parties or lunchboxes.

How to Serve Homemade Nutter Butters

• Pair with a glass of cold milk
• Pack in lunchboxes
• Add to dessert boards
• Serve at parties
• Give as homemade gifts

This recipe isn’t just nostalgic — it’s a complete upgrade from the original. Every bite tastes like childhood, but better.