It doesn’t get more classic than a good ol’ peanut butter and jelly on white or whole wheat, but sometimes a standard sandwich gets a little predictable. If you’re looking for new ways to get your fix of childhood nostalgia, turn to one of these five sweet PB&J variations that kids and grown-ups alike will love.
1. Peanut Butter and Jelly Doughnuts: Think you can’t make bakery-style doughnuts at home? Try this recipe from Baker by Nature. These sugar-dusted pillowy treats filled with a gooey mix of peanut butter and jelly take some time to make — you need to let the dough rise twice — but they’re completely worth the effort.
This spicy homemade peanut butter is great on sandwiches, noodles and more
2. Peanut Butter and Jelly Cupcakes: Give PB&J a different childhood spin with cupcakes iced with peanut buttercream frosting and a dollop of your favorite jelly. Take a bite and you’ll find a hidden surprise inside — My Baking Addiction tucks a bit of jelly in the middle of each little cake.
Another amazing peanut butter and jelly cupcake recipe
3. Peanut Butter and Jelly Icebox Pie: Make two decadent layers of creamy filling for the effort of one: Bake or Break creates a cream cheese base, then divides it in half and adds peanut butter to one and strawberry preserves to the other. A nutty graham cracker crust brings everything together.
Watch: Make PB & J sushi, Minions and more cute kids' sandwiches
4. Peanut Butter and Jelly Ice Cream: Skip the bread and go straight for the good stuff: creamy peanut butter ice cream swirled with layers of jam. Brown Eyed Baker uses cornstarch instead of egg yolks for quicker and easier results without sacrificing flavor.
Watch: Al Roker demonstrates his peanut butter cake recipe
5. Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich Cookies: Re-think PB&J “sandwiches” with these clever little treats. The Baker Chick takes two crisp, chewy peanut butter cookies and sandwiches them together with homemade peanut butter cream and jam.
Maggie Shi is a writer and editor who lives in New York City. She has written for RealSimple.com, iVillage, FoodNetwork.com and Epicurious. Find her on Twitter and Instagram @maggshi.