CLEVELAND, Ohio — In celebration of National Peanut Butter Day on January 24, the Best of Cleveland team embarked on a flavorful mission to evaluate 15 peanut butter sandwich cookies available in local grocery stores. The team sought to identify the cookies that best delivered a bold peanut butter taste, satisfying texture, and adherence to packaging claims. Prices varied, ranging from budget-friendly options to those that offered a more premium experience.
The results demonstrated that higher prices did not always equate to superior flavor or texture. Some cookies excelled in offering rich peanut butter bliss, while others fell short of expectations. Here’s a rundown of how the cookies performed, from those worth seeking out to those best left on the shelf.
Ranking the Cookies: From Misses to Hits
No. 15: Lil’ Dutch Maid – Peanut Butter Crème Cookies
– **Price**: $1.39
– **Where to Buy**: Marc’s
– **Nutrition per Serving**: 160 calories, 5g fat, 70mg sodium, 25g carbs, 11g sugar, 2g protein
– **First Ingredient**: Enriched wheat flour
This cookie, unfortunately, did not impress. The overwhelming artificial flavor and lack of genuine peanut butter taste made it an easy pass.
No. 14: Meijer – Peanut Butter Sandwich Crème Cookies
– **Price**: $2.99
– **Where to Buy**: Meijer
– **Nutrition per Serving**: 120 calories, 4.5g fat, 100mg sodium, 19g carbs, 9g sugar, 1g protein
– **First Ingredient**: Enriched bleached flour
While the cookie’s design was appealing, the filling was more vanilla than peanut butter, leaving fans wanting more.
No. 13: Benton’s – Peanut Butter Crème Filled Cookies
– **Price**: $2.75
– **Where to Buy**: Aldi
– **Nutrition per Serving**: 110 calories, 4.5g fat, 90mg sodium, 17g carbs, 8g sugar, 1g protein
– **First Ingredient**: Enriched flour
These offered a hard texture with an underwhelming peanut butter presence, making them forgettable.
No. 12: Meijer – Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies
– **Price**: $3.49
– **Where to Buy**: Meijer
– **Nutrition per Serving**: 110 calories, 4.5g fat, 90mg sodium, 17g carbs, 8g sugar, 1g protein
– **First Ingredient**: Enriched flour
Quality control issues were noted, and the cookies were described as crunchy yet lacking in peanut butter flavor.
No. 11: Great Value – Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies
– **Price**: $2.97
– **Where to Buy**: Walmart
– **Nutrition per Serving**: 110 calories, 4.5g fat, 90mg sodium, 17g carbs, 8g sugar, 1g protein
– **First Ingredient**: Enriched flour
This cookie was extremely crunchy and salty, but fell short in providing a satisfying peanut butter experience.
No. 10: Simple Mills – Nut Butter Stuffed Sandwich Cookies (Creamy Peanut Butter)
– **Price**: $6.39
– **Where to Buy**: Target
– **Nutrition per Serving**: 120 calories, 7g fat, 85mg sodium, 14g carbs, 6g sugar, 2g protein
– **First Ingredient**: Cashew and peanut blend
These cookies presented a toasted nut flavor but were criticized for being dry and leaving an odd aftertaste.
No. 9: Sobisk – Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies
– **Price**: $1.19
– **Where to Buy**: Marc’s
– **Nutrition per Serving**: 170 calories, 7g fat, 102mg sodium, 22g carbs, 9g sugar, 3g protein
– **First Ingredient**: Wheat flour
While they had a pleasant peanut butter aroma, the dry texture detracted from the overall enjoyment.
No. 8: Sunny’s – Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies
– **Price**: $3.29
– **Where to Buy**: Sav-a-Lot
– **Nutrition per Serving**: 110 calories, 4.5g fat, 90mg sodium, 17g carbs, 8g sugar, 1g protein
– **First Ingredient**: Enriched flour
These cookies had a mild peanut butter presence and were pleasant but did not deliver a robust experience.
No. 7: Oreo – Peanut Butter Flavor Crème Chocolate Sandwich
– **Price**: $4.97
– **Where to Buy**: Walmart
– **Nutrition per Serving**: 140 calories, 6g fat, 125mg sodium, 20g carbs, 10g sugar, 2g protein
– **First Ingredient**: Unbleached enriched flour
The chocolate cookie overshadowed the peanut butter filling, making it feel more like a traditional Oreo.
No. 6: Crav’n – Peanut Butter Crème Sandwich Cookies
– **Price**: $3.69
– **Where to Buy**: Acme
– **Nutrition per Serving**: 110 calories, 4.5g fat, 90mg sodium, 17g carbs, 8g sugar, 1g protein
– **First Ingredient**: Enriched flour
These cookies were noted for their resealable packaging and sweet flavor, though they leaned more towards sugar than peanut butter.
No. 5: Once Again – Graham Sandwiches Peanut Butter
– **Price**: $5.49
– **Where to Buy**: Lucky’s Market
– **Nutrition per Serving**: 220 calories, 13g fat, 105mg sodium, 21g carbs, 7g sugar, 5g protein
– **First Ingredient**: Dry roasted blanched organic peanuts
These vegan and gluten-free options featured a mild graham cracker base but had a flavorful peanut butter filling.
No. 4: Back to Nature – Peanut Butter Crème Sandwich Cookies
– **Price**: $4.79
– **Where to Buy**: Target
– **Nutrition per Serving**: 130 calories, 5g fat, 100mg sodium, 17g carbs, 8g sugar, 3g protein
– **First Ingredient**: Wheat flour
These cookies were more cracker-like, with a sweet flavor and a decent peanut butter presence, though the texture felt less indulgent.
No. 3: Nabisco – Nutter Butter
– **Price**: $5.49
– **Where to Buy**: Marc’s
– **Nutrition per Serving**: 130 calories, 5g fat, 100mg sodium, 20g carbs, 8g sugar, 2g protein
– **First Ingredient**: Unbleached enriched flour
This cookie offered solid peanut butter flavor and a pleasing texture, although it had less filling than its Double Nutty counterpart.
No. 2: Catalina Crunch – Sandwich Cookies Peanut Butter
– **Price**: $5.99
– **Where to Buy**: Heinen’s
– **Nutrition per Serving**: 100 calories, 5g fat, 125mg sodium, 13g carbs, 3g sugar, 3g protein
– **First Ingredient**: Peanut butter
With a strong peanut butter aroma and satisfying crunch, these gluten-free cookies stood out for their flavor and texture.
No. 1: Nabisco – Nutter Butter Double Nutty
– **Price**: $5.49
– **Where to Buy**: Marc’s
– **Nutrition per Serving**: 180 calories, 8g fat, 130mg sodium, 24g carbs, 11g sugar, 3g protein
– **First Ingredient**: Unbleached enriched flour
The Double Nutty version provided a delightful balance of peanut butter flavor and texture, making it a classic favorite for true peanut butter enthusiasts.
This ranking not only highlights the diverse range of peanut butter cookies available but also underscores the varying quality and flavors that different brands bring to the table. Whether one prefers a traditional cookie or a gluten-free option, peanut butter lovers have plenty of choices to satisfy their cravings.