Guys, my neighbors have been fighting for like 12 days straight. Not even kidding. I’m about ready to stage an intervention. But I think Chris and I might need an intervention of our own because we are way too entertained by this. After a couple months of wondering where the heck the yelling was coming from, we finally determined it was the people below us. The walls/ceilings must be thin. Now? Don’t judge us, but we totally lie on the ground and listen whenever we hear an argument starting. And sometimes we have to run from room to room because they don’t fight in the same spot for long. Once I even put my head on the bathroom floor to listen. I’m sorry, but the Bachelor ended last week and this is better than anything else on television right now. More drama if you can believe it. The gist of it is that the girl is getting SO ready to walk out (with lots of expletives thrown in) and he’s lazy and needs to learn to work as hard as he plays. And stop spending money on things they don’t need. She sounds really, really mean. But he sounds really dumb and indifferent to the relationship. I can’t decide whose side to take.
I briefly considered knocking on their door with some cookies. But then I realized it was only really because I wanted to see what they look like. Is that wrong? But seriously, I think these cookies could help fix things. There’s no way they would’t at least cheer things up for a little bit. Not only are they cookies, but they bring back memories of our childhood. Peanut butter and jelly in cookie form. I altered one of my all-time favorite cookie recipes (from Tom Colicchio) for some extra peanut butter impact with a jelly twist. New favorite cookie in the world, I’m telling you right now.
Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich Cookies (makes one dozen):
Print this recipe!
- 1/2 C (1 stick) butter, plus 4 T butter, room temperature
- 1 C old-fashioned oats
- 1 C all-purpose flour
- 1 t baking soda
- 1 t salt
- 1/4 C granulated sugar
- 1/2 C packed brown sugar
- 1/2 C peanut butter
- 1/2 C peanut butter chips
- 1 recipe raspberry jelly buttercream (see below)
(pre-heat oven to 350 degrees)
Raspberry Jelly Buttercream:
Print this recipe!
- 6 T butter, softened
- 2 C confectioner sugar
- 3 T raspberry jam
When I first made Tom Colicchio’s peanut butter cookies, I declared them the best cookies in the world. This was partly due to the toasted oats. Which is why I don’t think I’ll ever be able to make another peanut butter cookie without the involvement of toasted oats. Too amazing.
Melt the 4 T of butter in a medium saucepan and then add the oats. Cook for about 5-7 minutes, stirring gently, until the oats are browned and toasted.
Pour the oats onto a sheet of parchment paper to cool a bit.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
In a stand mixer (or in a large bowl with a hand mixer), cream together the stick of butter and two kinds of sugar.
Add the peanut butter and blend together. Try not to lick the bowl yet. It’s not time.
Mix in the flour mixture until just combined (taking care not to over mix).
And then stir in the oats and peanut butter chips.
I used Tom’s other great trick here, too. Place dough on a sheet of parchment paper.
And then place another sheet of parchment paper over the top.
Roll the dough out until it’s about 1/4-inch thick. And put it in the fridge for 20-30 minutes to chill.
Place dough on counter and remove top layer of parchment paper. Cut 24 circles out of the dough with a 2-inch round cookie or biscuit cutter (or the top of a glass!).
On a parchment paper-lined baking sheet, place rounds about one inch apart (you’ll need to baking sheets).
And bake at 350 degrees for about 10 minutes.
Remove from oven, let cool a bit on tray, and then move to a wire rack to cool completely.
While the cookies are cooling, whip up the raspberry jelly buttercream.
I made mine in my mixer, but you could do it with a hand mixer or even completely buy hand. Basically, just blend all your ingredients together.
Put raspberry jelly buttercream in a pastry bag or in a ziplock bag with the corner cut off. Squeeze buttercream around 12 of the cookies.
And put a bare cookie on top.
And be prepared to be transported back to your childhood, but even better. If that’s possible. But it is because you’re now an adult and nobody can limit you to just two cookies. Go ahead, eat them all. Well, maybe not that. Because then someone in your family will probably come sue me for advising you to eat a dozen sandwich cookies. Do I need some sort of disclaimer on this blog?
I don’t care how old I get; peanut butter and jelly will always hold a special place in my heart. But even more so when it’s in cookie form.
And I really believe these cookies could prevent a fight or two. I think my best bet is to teach my male neighbor how to bake these… and then his girlfriend/wife/whatever won’t be able to accuse him of being lazy anymore. Maybe they’ll even remember why they fell in love in the first place.
Then again, considering how thin these floors seem to be, maybe it’s best if we don’t make them fall overly in love with each other. I think I’d prefer the fighting.
Come to think of it, if I give these to the baby next door, do you think he’ll start sleeping later than 5:00 a.m., which will allow his parents to stay in bed instead of talking as loud as they possibly can in baby voices? Ugh. Seriously, these cookies could potentially solve all the world’s problems. I’m willing to give it a try.
But for now, they’re just making me happy. Which I guess is enough. Plus, they’re keeping me in the kitchen where my KitchenAid drowns out the sound of the fighting.
Do you ever hear a little too much from your neighbors?
[Sues]
Oh how I love living in an apartment! My neighbors are super loud all. The. Time. These cookies could definitely help the situation!
I. Just. Died. This is too funny. I love that you listen and follow the moving fight. I’d do the same. In college my roommate and I would update one another on the hallway drama in soap-opera style.
P.S. The cookies look delicious too.
It is so funny that the fights have replaced the Bachelor for the evening entertainment. Yes…I’m sure they would love the cookies, I know I would.
I can’t even get into what I’ve been through with my rude upstairs neighbors and their noisy toddler! Your story cracked me up – at least it’s entertaining for you! A couple that lived below me a few years ago used to fight and I remember one time I heard her called him a short loser. He was really short. I felt bad. These cookies look awesome! Raspberry jelly buttercream is something I will need to make soon.
Ah the joys of city living! I’ve definitely heard too much from my neighbors in the past — luckily the worst complaint that I have now is hearing my neighbor’s jazz pandora station every morning. I’m certain that these cookies would definitely cut the tension in any apartment building!
We’re still looking for something to fill the void now that The Bachelor is over. No neighbor drama here though. I absolutely love that these have raspberry jelly buttercream rather than just jelly. I bet it totally makes the cookie.
OURS TOO! And my roommate and I listen in as well, but it’s moreso some sort of sick satisfaction since these people have made it their mission to make us feel as unwelcome and be as difficult as possible. Ugh. We made them cupcakes once, it didn’t help a thing. These look tasty though! Almost like do-si-do’s but with jelly!
Thankfully, our neighbors/tenants are actually pretty quiet…although, they never shut their front door tight enough, and on a windy day it constantly slams into our front door. That’s always fun.
Hahaha, this made me laugh so hard. In my old apartment building, a couple a few doors down from me had a HUGE blowout in the middle of the night. The guy was throwing all the girl’s stuff into the hallway, and she was sitting on the hallway floor crying…everyone on my floor had their heads hanging out the door trying to discreetly watch. I felt bad, but I’m sure I provided similar entertainment when fighting with my ex bf! These cookies look great! Now I’m craving a pb & j!
LOL. i certainly think these cookies would be the answer to any problem they might be having 🙂 so delicious!!
Oh Lord, this made me laugh! I too am a nosy body. While i live in a very safe and lovely neighborhood, occassionally there is some riff raff going on. When the presidential election was over, there were whoops and hollers in the street… and what sounded like gun shots. So my very ignorant and curious ass walked over to the window when my boyfriend grabbed me saying “hey, silly, wanna stay away from the window if you think you hear gunshots?” Point: BF. lol.
These cookies are magnificent. I can taste them. I am praying for a bigger kitchen. Having ONE counter makes baking THE WORST! So… send me some?
My neighbor definitely has a crying baby too. All the time. It’s cute but not cute enough that I want to hear it 27-7. But what can ya do when it’s a baby?? These cookies look comforting though. If I eat 10 maybe I won’t hear the crying baby anymore?
That is hilarious, I would love if I could actually hear what people are saying when all of that commotion is going on. Please share some good stories with us:-)
If you brought over these cookies it would probably stop all of the fights. They would definitely get me to shut up for a while:-)
I’m cracking up at the thought of you running to lie down on the floor and listen when a fight begins!
Too funny that you guys have built in entertainment. Cookies can definitely help relationships though!
oh who wouldnt love these. WOW! they look delicious and fun
This gave me a serious giggle. You absolutely must keep us posted on the neighbors now. Also these cookies sound insane. I would make them but Lilly is on a peanut butter luck and I fear she would want them all if she saw them. Yum!
OMG. That is hilarious! I used to do the same thing when I lived in apartments during college haha. And love these cookie sandwiches, what a great idea!
Oh man that stinks! I do think some cookies might turn things around ;). My kids would go crazy for these ones. Wow!
This is cookie heaven! I have his PB cookies on my list to bake! This is the push I needed. . . Sooooo funny about your neighbors!
Oh my gosh, your entertainment is right below you!
Love these PB&J cookies! What a great idea.
Luckily our neighbors are good…just sometimes they tend to talk too much 🙂
Your cookies look great…love the filling…hope you are having a fun week!
These look amazing.
We have been cursed with 7 years of bad neighbors, so I feel your pain!
HAHA! Oh the joys of apartment living 🙂 At least you have been entertained by it for some time now!! lol
Love these little cookies… what a fantastic way to enjoy one of my all time favorite sandwiches!!!
These look so cute. Perfect for spring.