Meet Yellowhammer Cookies, Alabama’s Delectable New State Cookie (2024)

For the cookies

• 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

• 2 teaspoons baking soda

• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 2 cups brown sugar (we used light brown sugar)

• 1 1/2 cups (3 sticks) butter, melted and slightly cooled

• 2 eggs

• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

• 4 1/2 cups quick-cooking oats (see recipe note)

• 24 pecan halves

For the filling

• 1 cup creamy peanut butter (do not use natural peanut butter)

• 2 tablespoons honey

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened

• 1 to 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

Make the cookies

1. Mix the dry ingredients except for the oats:

   In a medium bowl, whisk the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt together until combined.

   

2. Mix the wet ingredients:

   In a large bowl, use the whisk to beat the brown sugar, butter, eggs, and vanilla until the mixture is smooth and no lumps of sugar remain. (You can also use a hand mixer or a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment.)

   

3. Finish the dough:

   Add flour mixture to the butter mixture and mix together with a sturdy wooden spoon until the mixture is smooth and looks like taffy.

   Add the oats and continue beating until well-mixed. If the dough is not stiff, don’t worry; it’ll firm up as it chills.
   

   

   

4. Chill:

   Cover the bowl and refrigerate the dough until firm, 1 to 2 hours.

   Simple Tip!

   You can make the dough ahead of time and refrigerate it for up to 2 days.
   

5. Preheat the oven to 350°F.

   Position the racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven.

   Line 2 baking sheets with parchment or silicone baking mats.
   

6. Shape the cookies:

   Form the dough into 48 balls, each 1 1/2 inches in diameter (we recommend double-checking with a ruler).

   Place 8 balls on each baking sheet and flatten slightly.

   Place a pecan half on 4 of the cookies on each sheet (these will become the tops of the assembled cookies).
   

   

   

   

7. Bake the cookies:

   Bake for 8 minutes, then rotate the baking sheet and from front to back and top to bottom and bake for another 8 minutes, until the edges are faintly golden brown and the centers of the cookies are set.

   Transfer the cookies to a cooling rack with an offset spatula. Let the baking sheets cool before baking the remaining batches of cookies.
   

   

Assemble the cookies

1. Make the filling:

   Combine the peanut butter, honey, butter, and 1 cup of the powdered sugar in a large bowl or the bowl of an electric stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Beat on medium-high speed for 3 minutes, until smooth. The filling should be thick enough to be spreadable, yet not stiff. If the filling is runny, beat in another 1/2 cup of powdered sugar.
   

   

2. Fill the cookies:

   Pair up the baked cookies so there’s a plain cookie and one topped with a pecan half. (It helps to match them up by size, as the diameter of the baked cookies can vary a bit). Flip the plain cookie halves so their bottom sides face up. Put a generous tablespoon of filling on each (don’t worry about spreading it out).

   Simple Tip!

   For easy portioning, put the filling in a heavy-duty gallon zip-top bag. Snip off 1/2 inch of the corner and use it to pipe out big dollops of the filling on the cookies.
   

   Place a pecan-topped cookie on top of a cookie with the filling, then press down and twist to help distribute the filling. Repeat with the remaining cookies.
   

   Simple Tip!

   You may have a little filling leftover. You can freeze it and later use it to sandwich together other things like graham crackers or store-bought chocolate chip cookies.
   

   

   

3. Store for later:

   These cookies hold up fairly well! Store them in an airtight container at cool room temperature for up to 4 days.

   Love the recipe? Leave us stars and a comment below!
   

   

Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.