Oh, the pure joy of a Peanut Butter Jelly Cake! It’s one of those desserts that just hits you right in the feels, doesn’t it? It’s like a warm hug from your childhood, all rolled into one delicious bite. I remember the first time I tried a cake with this amazing combo – I was at a friend’s potluck, and everyone was raving. I’m always a sucker for anything peanut butter, but when they told me it had jelly swirled in? I was officially intrigued. This particular Peanut Butter Jelly Cake recipe is my go-to because it’s just so darn easy and tastes like pure comfort.
Why You’ll Love This Peanut Butter Jelly Cake
- It’s SO easy to whip up, even on a busy weeknight!
- The classic peanut butter and jelly flavor combo is a total crowd-pleaser.
- You get that yummy, moist cake texture with delightful swirls of flavor.
- It uses basic pantry staples, so no special trips to the store needed.
- Perfect for picnics, parties, or just because you deserve a treat.
- Seriously, it tastes like childhood nostalgia in every slice!
Gather Your Ingredients for the Peanut Butter Jelly Cake
Alright, buttercups, let’s get this party started! To whip up our delectable Peanut Butter Jelly Cake, you’ll want to gather these goodies. Don’t worry, it’s all pretty standard stuff you probably already have hangin’ out in your kitchen.
First off, grab about a cup and a half of all-purpose flour. It’s always a good idea to give it a little sift, just to keep things light and airy from the get-go. Then, we’ll need a teaspoon of baking powder to give the cake a nice lift, and half a teaspoon of salt to balance out all that sweetness. For that creamy, dreamy base, you’ll need half a cup of unsalted butter. Make sure it’s nice and soft – like, leave it on the counter for about an hour before you start. We want it perfectly spreadable, not melted! Oh, and a cup of granulated sugar to make it sweet and lovely.
You’ll also want two large eggs, and it’s best if they’re at room temperature too, so they incorporate better. A good splash—about a teaspoon—of vanilla extract is a must for flavor. Then, we need half a cup of milk. And the stars of the show: a quarter cup of smooth peanut butter and a quarter cup of your favorite jelly. Grab your trusty wooden spoon and let’s get whisking!
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Your Peanut Butter Jelly Cake
Alright, let’s get baking this amazing Peanut Butter Jelly Cake! It really is as simple as it sounds, and watching those swirls come to life is just magical. My secret is to make sure everything is ready to go before you even start mixing, because once you get going, it moves pretty fast!
First things first, crank up your oven to 350°F (175°C). While it’s heating up, grab a 9-inch cake pan and give it a good old grease and flour. This just makes sure our beautiful cake doesn’t decide to stick around when it’s time to come out. In one bowl, whisk together your flour, baking powder, and salt. Just give ’em a quick whirl so they’re all acquainted. Now, in a bigger bowl, take your softened butter and that cup of sugar, and cream them together until it’s nice and fluffy. It should look super light and airy – almost like whipped sunshine!
Next, beat in your two eggs, one at a time. Make sure each egg is fully mixed in before you add the next. Then, add your vanilla extract and give it another quick stir. Now comes the part where we combine the wet and dry ingredients. Add about a third of your dry mixture to the butter mixture, and beat it in. Then, add about half of your milk and mix that in. Keep going back and forth, adding dry, then wet, then dry, then wet, until it’s all incorporated. Just remember to end with the dry ingredients, and don’t overmix! A few little streaks are totally fine.
Pour about half of this lovely batter into your prepared cake pan. Now for the fun part! Dollop spoonfuls of your peanut butter and jelly all over the batter. Don’t be shy! Then, grab a butter knife (or a skewer works great too!) and gently swirl them together. You don’t want to mix them completely, just enough to create those pretty ribbons of flavor. Pour the rest of your batter over the top, making sure to cover most of the swirls. Bake this beauty for about 30 to 35 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when a wooden skewer poked into the center comes out clean. Let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes – this helps it set up – then carefully flip it onto a wire rack to cool completely. Trust me, the cooling part is the hardest!
If you’re looking for more easy cake ideas, you might want to check out these easy dump cakes. They’re super simple and always a hit!
Tips for the Perfect Peanut Butter Jelly Cake
Making a fantastic Peanut Butter Jelly Cake is pretty straightforward, but a few little tricks can really elevate it. Don’t frown if your peanut butter and jelly sink a bit; it’s totally normal! Just try to swirl gently rather than mushing them in. And remember to cool the cake completely before slicing – warm cake can be a bit crumbly, and we want nice, clean pieces to show off those gorgeous swirls. Also, using room temperature ingredients, especially the eggs and butter, really makes a difference in how smoothly everything comes together. It just makes for a better, more tender crumb!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Your Peanut Butter Jelly Cake
We’re using smooth peanut butter and your favorite jelly here, but don’t be afraid to play around! If you love a little crunch, feel free to swap the smooth peanut butter for chunky peanut butter – it just adds a bit more texture. As for the jelly, any flavor works wonders! Grape and strawberry are classics for a reason, but don’t shy away from raspberry, apricot, or even a nice blackberry jam. The key is to use a jelly that’s not too runny; you want it thick enough to swirl nicely without completely disappearing into the batter. Using room temp ingredients like the butter and eggs is really quite important for a good rise and texture, so try to remember that!
Serving and Storage for Your Peanut Butter Jelly Cake
This Peanut Butter Jelly Cake is honestly delicious at room temperature, but oh my goodness, if you want to level up, serve it slightly warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. Heavenly! Leftovers? Totally possible, though I doubt there will be many! Just pop any extra cake into an airtight container at room temperature for a couple of days. If it’s super warm where you are, the fridge is okay, but it can make the cake a little firmer; just let it sit out for a bit before serving again.
Frequently Asked Questions About Peanut Butter Jelly Cake
Can I use chunky peanut butter in this Peanut Butter Jelly Cake?
Oh, absolutely! If you’re a fan of a little texture, chunky peanut butter works like a charm. Just know that it might create slightly larger pockets of peanut butter in your swirls, which can be a fun surprise!
What is the best type of jelly to use for a Peanut Butter Jelly Cake?
Honestly, use your favorite! Classic grape or strawberry are always winners. But don’t be afraid to branch out—raspberry or even a nice boysenberry jam can add a wonderful depth of flavor. Just aim for something spreadable!
How do I prevent the peanut butter and jelly from sinking too much?
A little sinking is part of the charm, but to help keep those pretty swirls visible, try swirling them in gently rather than mixing them vigorously. Also, making sure your batter isn’t too thin can help. If your jelly is really runny, you might want to let it chill for a bit first.
Can this Peanut Butter Jelly Cake be made gluten-free?
You bet! You can totally swap out the all-purpose flour for a good quality gluten-free all-purpose baking blend. Just make sure it has xanthan gum in it, as that’s what helps give gluten-free baked goods their structure. The rest of the ingredients should be just fine!
Estimated Nutritional Information
Now, I always like to give you a little heads-up on what you’re diving into, nutritionally speaking! These numbers are just estimates, mind you, because our peanut butter and jelly choices can sometimes change things up a bit. But for a standard slice of this yummy Peanut Butter Jelly Cake, you’re looking at roughly:
Calories: around 350
Fat: about 18g (with around 7g being saturated)
Protein: roughly 5g
Carbohydrates: about 45g
Sugar: closer to 30g
Fiber: around 2g
Remember, these can tweak a little depending on the exact brands and types of peanut butter and jelly you use, but it gives you a good idea!
Peanut Butter Jelly Cake
- Total Time: 50 min
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A simple cake with peanut butter and jelly flavors.
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/4 cup peanut butter
- 1/4 cup jelly
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9-inch cake pan.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the milk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
- Pour half of the batter into the prepared cake pan.
- Dollop spoonfuls of peanut butter and jelly over the batter. Swirl them gently with a knife.
- Pour the remaining batter over the peanut butter and jelly.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes before inverting it onto a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- You can use your favorite flavor of jelly.
- Ensure the peanut butter is smooth for easier swirling.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 35 min
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 30g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
Keywords: Peanut Butter Jelly Cake, peanut butter cake, jelly cake, simple cake, dessert recipe