Name: Copycat Ritz Peanut Butter Cracker Sandwiches Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 1 h 25 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups bread flour; 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder; 2 teaspoons sugar; 1 teaspoon kosher salt; 6 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cubed; 1/2 cup cold water; 1 egg, beaten; 1 tablespoon water (for egg wash); A few pinches of kosher salt for topping; 3/4 cup unsweetened natural peanut butter; 4-5 tablespoons powdered sugar (optional)

Print Recipe· 3.9 from 1 review

If you have a soft spot for those nostalgic, buttery crackers sandwiched with rich peanut butter, then you’re going to fall head over heels for this Copycat Ritz Peanut Butter Cracker Sandwiches Recipe. It takes all the best qualities of the classic store-bought treat—crispy, flaky crackers paired with that irresistible creamy peanut butter—and turns them into a homemade delight that’s fresh, customizable, and utterly scrumptious. Perfect for parties, snacks, or a little indulgence anytime, these sandwiches are surprisingly simple to whip up and deliver that perfect balance of salty and sweet that keeps you reaching for more.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The image shows eight small white bowls and one brown egg arranged neatly on a white marbled surface. From top left to bottom right, the first bowl is filled with light beige bread flour, finely ground and filling the bowl. Next to it on the right is a bowl with smooth, creamy light brown peanut butter. Below the peanut butter is a single brown egg, uncracked and resting on the white marbled surface. On the left below the bread flour is a bowl filled with small cubes of yellow butter, clearly packed inside the bowl. Adjacent and slightly lower to the right, a bowl contains fine, bright white powdered sugar. Beneath the butter, three smaller white bowls hold kosher salt (white crystals), granulated white sugar, and baking powder (white powder), respectively. On the bottom right is an empty white bowl with a few specks, labeled for water. The overall layout is clean and organized, with ingredients clearly visible in white containers. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Every ingredient in this recipe plays a crucial role in creating the ideal texture and flavor, from the flour’s structure to the peanut butter’s creamy finish. Getting these basics just right makes all the difference in perfecting your Copycat Ritz Peanut Butter Cracker Sandwiches Recipe.

Bread flour: Use bread flour for a sturdier cracker with just the right chewiness.
Baking powder: Adds a subtle lift and lightness to the crackers.
Sugar: A touch of sweetness enhances the buttery flavor.
Kosher salt: Brings out richness and helps balance all those flavors.
Cold unsalted butter: Cold, cubed butter creates flaky layers once baked.
Cold water: Binds everything together while keeping the dough cool.
Egg and water wash: Gives crackers a beautiful golden finish and acts as an adhesive for salt topping.
Kosher salt for topping: Sprinkled on top for that signature touch of saltiness.
Unsweetened natural peanut butter: Choose your favorite creamy variety for the perfect filling.
Powdered sugar (optional): Mixed into peanut butter for a slightly sweeter, smoother filling.

How to Make Copycat Ritz Peanut Butter Cracker Sandwiches Recipe

Step 1: Make Your Dough

Start by combining bread flour, baking powder, sugar, and kosher salt with cold cubed unsalted butter in a food processor. Pulse until the butter pieces size down to about peas—this ensures a flaky texture when baked. Don’t have a food processor? No worries! You can gently mix the dough by hand or use a pastry cutter, just keep that butter cold to maintain flakiness.

Step 2: Add Water and Form Dough

Next, add cold water gradually while pulsing to bring the dough together. Once it starts forming clumps, transfer it onto a clean surface or baking mat and press it into a ball. Divide the dough into two portions for easier handling.

Step 3: Chill the Dough

Flatten each dough portion into a half-inch thick rectangle, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap, and pop them in the fridge for at least an hour. This chilling step is essential; it firms up the dough which makes rolling smoother and prevents shrinking while baking.

Step 4: Preheat the Oven

While your dough chills, set your oven temperature to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius) so it’s ready when you are to bake those crackers to golden perfection.

Step 5: Roll and Cut the Crackers

Once chilled, roll each dough piece out into a 9 to 10-inch circle, aiming for a thin 1/8-inch thickness. Be careful not to roll too thin or the crackers might overcook quickly. Use a fluted pastry cutter to slice out small rounds, then carefully transfer them to a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing them close together.

Step 6: Prepare Crackers for Baking

Using a skewer, poke holes into each cracker to mimic the iconic look—classic Ritz sandwich crackers feature nine holes, but feel free to do fewer if time is tight. Then, brush the tops lightly with the beaten egg and water wash. Finish with a sprinkle of kosher salt for that authentic flavor burst.

Step 7: Bake to Golden Perfection

Pop the baking sheets into the oven and bake your crackers for about 15 minutes or until their edges turn a lovely golden brown. Keep an eye on them since they can go from golden to burnt quickly with such thin dough.

Step 8: Assemble Your Sandwiches

Allow the crackers to cool completely on a wire rack. While they cool, mix the natural peanut butter with powdered sugar if you like it a bit sweeter and creamier. Spread or pipe this luscious filling onto one cracker, then gently sandwich it with another. And voilà—your homemade Copycat Ritz Peanut Butter Cracker Sandwiches Recipe is complete.

How to Serve Copycat Ritz Peanut Butter Cracker Sandwiches Recipe

The image shows many round crackers arranged in neat rows on a white marbled surface. Each cracker is golden brown with a slightly darker edge and has small holes evenly spaced in a pattern across the top. The crackers have a textured surface that looks crispy and baked to a uniform color with a slight shine. There are no extra toppings or layers, just plain crackers laid out flat. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

For extra flair, try garnishing these sandwiches with a light dusting of powdered sugar or a tiny smear of honey. A few crushed peanuts on the edge can add delightful crunch and an inviting look that draws people in.

Side Dishes

Keep it simple and classic by serving your peanut butter cracker sandwiches alongside a fresh fruit plate like apple slices or grapes. The sweet and juicy fruit contrasts brilliantly with the salty, creamy bites for a well-rounded snack experience.

Creative Ways to Present

Jazz up your presentation by threading mini sandwich stacks onto decorative skewers or arranging them in fun shapes on a colorful platter. For parties, consider dipping edges lightly in melted chocolate and chilling—this takes these sandwiches from classic to stunning.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have leftovers, store the sandwiches in an airtight container layered with parchment paper between them to keep the crackers crisp and the peanut butter fresh. They should stay perfect for up to 3 days at room temperature.

Freezing

You can freeze the individual crackers (before assembling) by placing them on a baking sheet to freeze individually, then transferring to a freezer bag. Thaw them fully before adding peanut butter to keep the texture right. Assembled sandwiches aren’t great to freeze because of the creamy filling.

Reheating

Since these crackers are best enjoyed fresh and crisp, reheating is not recommended. If you want to warm the peanut butter a bit, do so gently in a microwave for a few seconds, then assemble immediately with room temperature crackers.

FAQs

Can I use creamy or crunchy peanut butter?

Both work wonderfully! Creamy peanut butter gives a smooth filling, while crunchy adds lovely texture—choose whichever you prefer or have on hand.

Is it necessary to chill the dough for an hour?

Chilling the dough helps it firm up so it rolls out easily and bakes into crisp, flaky crackers. While you can shorten the chill time, the results will be best with at least one hour.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

For gluten-free options, substitute the bread flour with a high-quality gluten-free baking blend that measures 1:1. The texture may vary slightly but it will still be delicious.

How long can I store the assembled sandwiches?

They’re best eaten within two days to keep the crackers crisp and the peanut butter fresh. Store in an airtight container at room temperature.

What if I don’t have a fluted pastry cutter?

No worries! Use a round cookie cutter or even the rim of a glass to cut out your crackers; the edges just won’t be scalloped but the taste stays the same.

Final Thoughts

Making your own Copycat Ritz Peanut Butter Cracker Sandwiches Recipe is such a rewarding treat, blending nostalgia with fresh homemade charm. Once you’ve experienced the flaky crackers paired with velvety peanut butter made from scratch, you’ll never want the store-bought version again. So roll up your sleeves, gather your ingredients, and dive into this fun and tasty project—you’ll be sharing these delightful sandwiches with friends and family in no time!