Dreamy Peanut Butter And Jelly Poke Cake Recipe for Kids

Comfort swoops in with this delightful peanut butter and jelly poke cake that brings childhood memories flooding back.

Sweet layers of nostalgia dance through every bite of this classic dessert.

The simple combination creates a magical treat that feels like a warm hug.

Dense cake punctured with ribbons of grape jelly and creamy peanut butter promises pure delight.

Each forkful connects you to cherished moments of carefree afternoons and school lunch memories.

Rich, soft, and perfectly balanced, this dessert transforms an ordinary day into something extraordinary.

You won’t be able to resist diving into this ultimate comfort food experience.

Kitchen Items For Peanut Butter And Jelly Poke Cake

• 913 inch baking dish: Essential for baking the cake with perfect size and shape.
• Wooden spoon or straw: Perfect for creating evenly spaced holes in the cake.
• Large mixing bowl: Needed for preparing smooth and creamy peanut butter frosting.
• Electric mixer or whisk: Crucial for beating ingredients and achieving fluffy frosting.
• Microwave-safe bowl: Ideal for warming jelly to make it pourable.
• Knife or toothpick: Great for creating decorative jelly swirls on top of frosting.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Necessary for accurate ingredient measurements.

How To Make Peanut Butter And Jelly Poke Cake

• Warm Up the Oven

Crank your oven to a toasty 350F and grab your favorite cake mix. Follow the package instructions and pour the batter into a baking dish, getting ready for some deliciousness.

• Create Flavor Tunnels

Once your cake is baked and slightly cooled, grab a wooden spoon handle or straw. Go wild poking holes all over the cake, making little pathways for flavor to travel.

• Jelly Invasion

Zap your jelly in the microwave for a quick 30 seconds until it’s runny. Pour that sweet goodness directly into the holes, watching it seep deep into the cake’s core.

• Whip Up Creamy Frosting

Blend peanut butter and softened butter until they become best friends. Gradually mix in powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk, creating a dreamy, spreadable frosting that’ll make taste buds dance.

• Decorate with Flair

Spread your luscious peanut butter frosting across the cake. Drizzle some extra jelly on top and swirl it around for a gorgeous marbled look. Sprinkle chopped peanuts if you’re feeling extra fancy.

• Slice and Celebrate

Cut into squares and prepare for a flavor explosion. This cake is your ticket to instant happiness – perfect for parties, potlucks, or solo indulgence!

Tips To Try With Peanut Butter And Jelly Poke Cake

• Baking Brilliance: Ensure cake is completely cooled before adding frosting to prevent melting and maintain perfect texture.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the cake a day in advance and store covered in the refrigerator to enhance flavor melding and convenience.
• Gluten-Free Goodness: Swap regular cake mix for a gluten-free alternative and use certified gluten-free jelly to accommodate dietary needs.
• Dairy-Free Delight: Replace butter with dairy-free margarine and use non-dairy milk to create a lactose-free version of this classic dessert.
• Flavor Fusion: Experiment with different jelly flavors like strawberry, grape, or raspberry to personalize your poke cake and keep things exciting.

Serving Peanut Butter And Jelly Poke Cake

• Party Platter Perfection: Create a vibrant dessert display by arranging cake squares on a colorful platter, garnished with whole peanuts and a small jelly drizzle for extra flair.
• Nostalgic Lunch Box Companion: Pack individual cake squares in small containers for a delightful sweet treat that brings back childhood memories of classic PB&J sandwiches.
• Scoop & Serve Delight: Pair each slice with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a cold glass of milk to enhance the creamy peanut butter and sweet jelly flavors, creating a decadent dessert experience.
• Picnic Paradise Treat: Wrap cake squares in parchment paper for a portable dessert perfect for outdoor gatherings, school events, or family picnics where easy-to-eat treats are always welcome.

How To Store Peanut Butter And Jelly Poke Cake

• Quick Refrigeration Plan: Store the cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Cover tightly with plastic wrap or lid to maintain moisture and prevent absorbing other food odors.
• Freezing Magic: Slice the cake into individual portions, wrap each piece separately in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Frozen cake stays delicious for 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
• Room Temperature Tips: If serving within 24 hours, keep the cake covered at room temperature. The peanut butter frosting remains stable and creamy without refrigeration during this short period.
• Make-Ahead Strategy: Prepare the cake one day in advance to let flavors meld together. The jelly will continue to infuse into the cake, creating an even more delicious dessert. Letting it rest allows the frosting to set and textures to develop more deeply.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes

Calories: 375 kcal

Servings: 13

What’s In Peanut Butter And Jelly Poke Cake

• Yellow Cake Mix: Creates the tender foundation for this nostalgic dessert, ensuring consistent texture and easy preparation.
• Water, Eggs, Vegetable Oil: Standard cake mix companions that guarantee moist and reliable cake structure.

• Grape Jelly or Strawberry Jelly: Brings vibrant fruity sweetness and classic PB&J flavor; choose high-quality, smooth jelly without large fruit chunks.
• Creamy Peanut Butter: Provides rich, nutty depth; select smooth variety for silky frosting consistency.
• Unsalted Butter: Softens frosting and balances peanut butter's intensity; ensure room temperature for smooth blending.
• Powdered Sugar: Creates light, airy frosting texture; sift to prevent clumping.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor complexity with warm, sweet undertones.
• Milk: Adjusts frosting consistency and adds subtle creaminess.

• Roasted Peanuts: Delivers delightful crunch and amplifies nutty profile; chop coarsely for textural contrast.

Nostalgic Peanut Butter And Jelly Poke Cake Recipe

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4.8 from 9 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Classic Peanut Butter and Jelly Poke Cake brings nostalgic childhood flavors to dessert lovers. Sweet layers of moist cake, creamy peanut butter filling, and fruity jelly create a delightful treat you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

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• 1 box (15.25 oz / 432 g) yellow or white cake mix (plus ingredients needed per package)
• 1 cup grape or strawberry jelly
• 1 cup (250 g) creamy peanut butter
• ½ cup (115 g) unsalted butter, softened
• 2 cups (250 g) powdered sugar
• ¼ cup (60 ml) milk (more as needed)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ¼ cup grape or strawberry jelly (warmed slightly for drizzling)
• ¼ cup chopped peanuts (optional)

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Instructions

1. Cake Foundation: Preheat oven to 350F (175C) and prepare cake mix in a rectangular baking dish following package instructions.
2. Cooling and Perforating: After baking, let cake rest for 10 minutes, then create uniform channels using a wooden spoon handle or straw at one-inch intervals.
3. Jelly Infusion: Microwave jelly for 30 seconds until fluid, then methodically pour into perforated channels, ensuring complete cake saturation.
4. Frosting Preparation: Blend softened peanut butter and butter until smooth, gradually mixing in powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and milk until achieving a light, spreadable consistency.
5. Cake Finishing: Once cake is completely cooled, spread peanut butter frosting evenly across the surface, then artfully drizzle remaining warmed jelly and create marbled patterns with a knife.
6. Garnishing and Serving: Optionally sprinkle chopped peanuts over the cake for added texture, then slice into neat squares to showcase the classic peanut butter and jelly flavor profile.

Notes

• Hole Precision: Create uniform, evenly spaced holes about one inch apart to ensure consistent jelly distribution throughout the cake’s interior.
• Jelly Temperature Control: Warm jelly briefly in the microwave to achieve perfect pouring consistency without overheating, which could compromise the cake’s texture.
• Frosting Consistency Tip: Gradually add milk and powdered sugar to achieve a spreadable frosting texture, adjusting ingredients carefully to prevent runny or too-stiff results.
• Cooling Critical: Allow the cake to cool completely before frosting to prevent melting and ensure a clean, professional-looking final presentation.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 375
• Sugar: 30 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 50 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg