Get ready to experience a nostalgic twist on your childhood favorite that will make your taste buds dance with joy! These Peanut Butter and Jelly Cake Mix Bars are the perfect blend of sweet, nutty, and fruity flavors that transform a simple cake mix into an irresistible treat. Imagine the classic PB&J sandwich reimagined as a decadent dessert that's both easy to make and impossible to resist. Whether you're looking for a quick dessert, a crowd-pleasing potluck contribution, or a fun baking project with kids, these bars are about to become your new obsession!
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 25 mins
Total Time: 35 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 12 bars
Ingredients
- 1 box yellow cake mix
- 1/2 cup peanut butter
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup jelly or jam of choice
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13 inch baking pan with butter or cooking spray, ensuring complete coverage to prevent sticking.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the yellow cake mix, peanut butter, vegetable oil, and eggs. Mix thoroughly using an electric mixer or whisk until the ingredients are well blended and no dry cake mix remains.
- Reserve approximately 1 cup of the cake mix batter for the topping. Press the remaining batter evenly into the prepared baking pan, creating a smooth, consistent base layer.
- Carefully spread the jelly or jam of choice over the batter base, leaving a small border around the edges to prevent overflow during baking.
- Using a spoon or piping bag, drop or pipe the reserved batter over the jelly layer in a decorative pattern, creating swirls or a marbled effect.
- Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Remove from the oven and let the bars cool completely in the pan for about 1 hour. This allows the bars to set and makes cutting easier.
- Once cooled, cut into 12 equal bars using a sharp knife. Serve at room temperature and store any leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Tips
- Choose Your Jelly Wisely: Select a high-quality jelly or jam with good consistency. Seedless varieties work best for a smooth texture.
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure eggs and peanut butter are at room temperature for easier mixing and a more uniform batter.
- Don't Overmix: Mix the batter just until ingredients are combined to keep the bars tender.
- Swirl Technique: For a beautiful marbled effect, use a toothpick or knife to create gentle swirls when adding the reserved batter on top.
- Cooling is Crucial: Let the bars cool completely before cutting to ensure clean, neat slices.
- Storage Hack: For maximum freshness, store in an airtight container at room temperature and consume within 3 days.
- Customize: Experiment with different jelly flavors like strawberry, raspberry, or grape to keep things interesting!
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 320kcal
Carbohydrates: 35g
Protein: 5g
Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: 4g
Cholesterol: 35mg
