Ingredients

1 cup butter (2 sticks), room temperature 

3/4 cup confectioners sugar 

1 large egg 

1 1/4 cups toasted wheat germ 

1 1/4 cups whole-grain pastry flour 

1/4 teaspoon salt 

1/4 cup cornstarch 

1/4 cup smooth peanut butter 

1/4 cup granulated sugar 

Preparation

Place butter and confectioners sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Beat until fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the egg, and beat until fluffy.

In a medium bowl, whisk together wheat germ, pastry flour, salt, and cornstarch. Add to butter mixture, and beat on low speed until combined, about 1 minute.

Divide dough into two equal parts; and place between 12-inch squares of parchment paper. Roll out each piece of dough into a 7-by-10-inch rectangle, about 1/4-inch thick.

Remove top pieces of parchment from dough; spread peanut butter over one rectangle. Invert second rectangle on top of first. Folding any overhanging edges of parchment; wrap dough. Chill at least 1 hour.

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Line two baking sheets with parchment. Unwrap dough. Generously sprinkle top and bottom with sugar. Trim edges, creating a clean rectangle. Cut into three dozen 3 1/2-by-1/2-inch rectangles; place on sheets, spaced 1 1/2 inches apart.

Bake cookies until barely golden, about 22 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool. Bake or freeze remaining dough. Store in an airtight container up to 2 weeks.