What?!

Yep. Oreo wouldn't do it, so I did it my damn self. And clearly, we're all puzzled why Nabisco thinks Swedish Fish flavor is a fantastic idea, but hasn't yet delivered a classic combination like PB&J. Don't they understand the power of salty and sweet?

I do. And that's why I made these little nuggets.

Golden shortbread cookies sandwiched with a rich, salty peanut butter frosting and a dab of sweet strawberry jam.

Like all my treats, they're on the petite side and perfect to tuck into lunchboxes for back to school treats. PB&J Oreos have arrived, friends and it's glorious.

Let's start with shortbread basics. And yes, that's everything. Looks pretty sparse, but these turn out crisp and buttery and just as satisfying as an actual golden Oreo. Let's be honest. MORE satisfying. Because butter.

Cream it and chill. It's like Netflix and Chill. And just as yummy.

Take your little roll out of the fridge after a few hours and slice.

And if you're a monumental over achiever like me, you can adorn these little biscuits with messages. Just be sure to re chill afterwards or the spread that goes on in the oven will take out your lettering.

See! Adorbs. I am dying to put these in my kid's lunchboxes. But first we have to stuff them with more sugar. Because that's how cookies work.

Wait. What?

This peanut butter buttercream is amazing. You'll want to slather your face in it. And you can do that. But later. For now, let's whip it into a frenzy.

You want this stiff but still spreadable. I think you know what to do next.

Yep. Pile it on and add a dollop of jam before you top it with another shortbread. An Oreo that mimics a sandwich. If a sandwich was an amazing salty sweet fest in your mouth. Which it's not.

Sandwiches have other talents, but they'll need to move over in the lunchbox to make room for these little morsels.

Have fun headed back to school, kids. I'll just be right here. Stuffing all these little sandwich cookies in my mouth. Until next time friends, keep it sweet. And a little salty.

I love you, PB & J

Homemade Peanut Butter and Jelly Oreos

For the golden oreo cookies:

1 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 cup butter (1 stick)

1/4 cup sugar

For the peanut butter buttercream:

1/2 cup butter

1/2 cup peanut butter

1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

1/4 cup heavy cream

1/3 cup strawberry jam

Directions:

Beat butter until it begins to turn lighter yellow in the bowl of a mixer. Add sugar, and beat together until well combined.

Half a cup at a time, add the sifted flour to the creamed butter and sugar. The mixture will become like a course meal and will stick together when you press it. Roll it into a log about the diameter of a half dollar, cover in plastic wrap, and refrigerate an hour or more until solid.

Slice the chilled dough into 1/4 inch slices, shape into rounds, and adorn or mark them in anyway you'd like. Chill again until cold. Bake in 325 degree oven for 12-15 minutes depending on the size of the cookies. The edges should just turn slightly brown. Cool completely before frosting.

Cream butter and peanut butter until light in color and smooth. Add powdered sugar gradually, then cream to get a spreadable but stiff consistency. Add salt and whip for another minute. Keep this in the fridge until the cookies have cooled and you're ready to frost.

To assemble the cookies, apply a liberal amount of frosting, a dollop of jam, and top with another cookie. Press together lightly and pop immediately into your mouth. Peanut butter and jelly Oreos, where have you been all my life?!