Get ready to fall in love with Peanut Butter Jelly Bread, a whimsical mashup of two childhood cravings packed into one easy homemade loaf. With its soft, tender crumb and sweet ribbons of jam swirling through every slice, this bread bakes up golden and gorgeous—making it irresistible as breakfast, snack, or even dessert. Every bite is pure nostalgia and comfort, but baked with a playful twist, ensuring you’ll want to share this delight with everyone you know.

Peanut Butter Jelly Bread Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Let’s talk about how surprisingly simple the ingredient list for Peanut Butter Jelly Bread is! Each element is chosen for how it amplifies the classic flavor combo, giving the loaf its signature softness, marbled look, and a bit of peanutty richness. This recipe calls for pantry staples and a dash of whatever jelly you love best.

All-purpose flour: The foundation that gives the bread its sturdy-yet-soft texture and structure.
Baking powder: Delivers that irresistible lift, keeping the bread tender and light.
Salt: Just enough to highlight the sweetness of the jelly and the depth of peanut butter.
Granulated sugar: Balances the nutty notes and adds subtle sweetness throughout.
Milk: Brings moisture and richness for a moist interior crumb.
Large egg: Binds everything together, creating a cohesive loaf that’s easy to slice.
Creamy peanut butter: The star flavor that provides an ultra-smooth, melt-in-your mouth bite.
Vegetable oil: Keeps things extra moist and tender without overpowering flavors.
Jelly or jam of choice: Adds vibrant color, fruity sweetness, and those gorgeous swirls in every slice.

How to Make Peanut Butter Jelly Bread

Step 1: Prep Your Loaf Pan and Oven

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and greasing a 9×5-inch loaf pan with a light layer of oil or nonstick spray. This step ensures your Peanut Butter Jelly Bread releases perfectly every time, with no sticking!

Step 2: Whisk Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar. This blend is the dry base that gives your bread that satisfying, cake-like texture and ensures all those sweet and savory flavors are balanced from the start.

Step 3: Mix Wet Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk the milk, egg, creamy peanut butter, and vegetable oil until smooth. Mixing the wet ingredients separately helps the peanut butter fully integrate, guaranteeing a perfectly rich batter that’s a dream to work with.

Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry

Pour the wet mixture into the dry mixture, gently stirring just until everything is incorporated and no streaks of flour remain. Overmixing can lead to a tougher loaf, so take it easy—just a gentle fold for a tender Peanut Butter Jelly Bread.

Step 5: Layer and Swirl the Jelly

Pour half the batter into your prepared loaf pan and spoon half the jelly or jam in random dollops on top. Use a knife to swirl it through—think fun, loose figure-eights. Repeat with the remaining batter and jelly, swirling again for an eye-catching marbled effect.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Bake for 45–55 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs. The bread will rise high and turn golden brown. Let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then carefully transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.

How to Serve Peanut Butter Jelly Bread

Garnishes

For that extra wow-factor, sprinkle a handful of chopped peanuts on top before baking for a bit of crunch, or dust with powdered sugar after it cools. If you’re feeling adventurous, drizzle warm peanut butter or a touch more jam over each slice right before serving. It adds a homemade, bakery-style touch.

Side Dishes

Pair a thick slice of Peanut Butter Jelly Bread with a cold glass of milk for classic comfort. For brunch, serve it alongside fresh fruit or yogurt for balance. If you’re snacking in the afternoon, a cup of coffee or tea nicely offsets the bread’s sweet, nutty flavors.

Creative Ways to Present

Try cutting the bread into bite-sized squares for party platters, or toast slices and spread with a little extra peanut butter or butter for a decadent treat. You can also use it as the base for a playful bread pudding, or even cube it for a whimsical PB&J trifle!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once completely cool, store any leftover Peanut Butter Jelly Bread tightly wrapped in plastic or in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. The flavor deepens and the texture stays delightfully soft.

Freezing

This bread freezes beautifully! Wrap individual slices or the whole loaf tightly in plastic, then in foil, and freeze for up to 2 months. When ready to enjoy, let the bread thaw at room temperature or pop a slice straight into the toaster for a quick treat.

Reheating

Revive slices by gently warming them in the toaster or a low oven for just a few minutes. Toasting brings out the peanut butter fragrance and makes the jelly delightfully jammy again, as if freshly baked.

FAQs

Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy?

Absolutely! Crunchy peanut butter will give your Peanut Butter Jelly Bread a fun, extra nutty texture. Just know that the loaf will have little peanut chunks throughout, making each bite a bit heartier.

Which jelly flavors work best?

You can use classic grape or strawberry jam for that nostalgic flavor, but feel free to experiment with raspberry, blackberry, or even apricot! Each type Bread, Snack.

Do I need a stand mixer for this recipe?

No fancy equipment needed—just a couple of bowls and a whisk or spatula. The batter comes together quickly by hand, which might even make it more fun, especially if little helpers are joining in.

How do I know when the bread is done baking?

Check for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center; it should come out clean or with just a few moist crumbs (but no wet batter). The top will also feel lightly springy to the touch and turn a lovely golden brown.

Can I double the recipe?

Definitely! Double all the ingredients and bake in two separate loaf pans, or scale up for a party. Just make sure not to overfill your pans and check doneness a few minutes before the end, as baking times may vary.

Final Thoughts

If you’re ready to elevate a classic lunchbox duo into something warm, nostalgic, and totally homemade, you have to give this Peanut Butter Jelly Bread a try. Every marbled bite is equal parts fun and comfort—so go ahead, bake a loaf and savor those childhood flavors all grown up!

Peanut Butter Jelly Bread Recipe

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4.6 from 20 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Yield: 1 loaf (about 10 slices) 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Indulge in the classic flavors of peanut butter and jelly in this simple and delicious quick bread recipe. Perfect for breakfast, snacks, or even dessert!

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients:

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
½ cup granulated sugar

Wet Ingredients:

1 cup milk
1 large egg
½ cup creamy peanut butter
¼ cup vegetable oil

Additional Ingredient:

½ cup jelly or jam of choice

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Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar.
Combine Wet Ingredients: In another bowl, whisk milk, egg, peanut butter, and vegetable oil until smooth.
Combine Batter: Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and stir until just combined.
Layer Batter and Jelly: Pour half the batter into the loaf pan, spoon half the jelly over the batter, and swirl gently with a knife. Repeat with remaining batter and jelly, swirling again for a marbled effect.
Bake: Bake for 45–55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Cool: Let cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

For added texture, sprinkle chopped peanuts on top before baking.
This bread tastes great toasted with a little butter or extra peanut butter spread on top.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Category: Bread, Snack
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American