If you ask me, peanut butter and jelly cups are the best childhood throwback treat ever.
These little two-bite desserts take the classic sandwich combo we all grew up with and turn it into something fun and special. Smooth peanut butter and sweet grape jelly nestle inside a chocolate shell that breaks with a satisfying snap.
I like making these with my kids on weekend afternoons – they love helping to layer the fillings and watching the chocolate set up in the fridge. Plus, there’s always a few spare spoonfuls of peanut butter to snack on while we wait.
They’re perfect for lunch boxes, after-school treats, or really anytime you need a little taste of nostalgia.
Why You’ll Love These PB&J Cups
- 5-ingredient recipe – With just peanut butter, butter, powdered sugar, chocolate, and jam, you can create these delicious treats using items you probably already have in your pantry.
- No-bake dessert – Perfect for hot summer days or when you don’t want to turn on the oven – these treats set up in the refrigerator with zero baking required.
- Nostalgic flavor combo – These cups combine everyone’s favorite childhood sandwich flavors – peanut butter and jelly – in a fun, chocolate-covered candy form.
- Make-ahead friendly – You can prepare these cups days in advance and store them in the fridge, making them perfect for parties or when you need a sweet treat on hand.
What Kind of Peanut Butter Should I Use?
Regular creamy peanut butter is your best bet for these cups – skip the natural kinds that separate and need stirring. The standard creamy varieties (like Jif or Skippy) contain emulsifiers that help keep everything mixed together, which gives you a better texture in the final product. While crunchy peanut butter might seem tempting, it can make it tricky to get a smooth filling that’s easy to work with. If you’re watching sugar intake, you can use a no-sugar-added creamy peanut butter, but you might need to adjust the amount of confectioners’ sugar to get the right consistency.
Options for Substitutions
Want to switch things up with these treats? Here are some helpful substitutions you can try:
- Peanut butter: If you have a peanut allergy or just want to try something different, almond butter, cashew butter, or sunflower seed butter work great here. Just make sure to use the creamy kind, not crunchy, for the best texture.
- Dark chocolate: While dark chocolate gives these cups a nice rich flavor, you can use milk chocolate or even white chocolate instead. Semi-sweet chocolate chips will work too – just melt them slowly to avoid burning.
- Jam: Feel free to experiment with different jam flavors! Raspberry, blackberry, or apricot jam all make tasty alternatives to strawberry or grape. You can even use honey or apple butter for a different twist.
- Confectioners’ sugar: This ingredient is pretty important for the right texture, but if you’re in a pinch, you can make your own by blending regular granulated sugar in a food processor until it’s very fine.
- Unsalted butter: If you only have salted butter, that’s fine – just use it as is. You can also use coconut oil for a dairy-free version, just make sure it’s at room temperature.
Watch Out for These Mistakes While Making
The biggest challenge when making peanut butter and jelly cups is working with chocolate that’s not properly tempered – if the chocolate is too hot, it won’t set properly and might develop a dull, streaky appearance. To avoid this, use a candy thermometer and keep your dark chocolate between 88-90°F (31-32°C) during the dipping process. Another common mistake is rushing the layering process – each chocolate layer needs to set completely in the refrigerator (about 10 minutes) before adding the peanut butter mixture or jelly, otherwise, your layers will mix together. For the smoothest results, make sure your peanut butter mixture is at room temperature when mixing with the powdered sugar, and gently warm your jam for easier spreading – but be careful not to make it too hot, or it will melt your chocolate layers. If you notice your chocolate starting to thicken while working, gently rewarm it over a double boiler, being careful not to exceed the tempering temperature.
What to Serve With Peanut Butter and Jelly Cups?
These sweet treats are perfect with a cold glass of milk – just like the classic sandwich that inspired them! Since they’re pretty rich, I like to serve them as part of a dessert spread with some lighter options like fresh fruit or berries to balance things out. If you’re hosting a party, try putting these cups on a platter with other bite-sized desserts like chocolate-covered strawberries or small cookies. For an after-school snack, pair them with apple slices or banana chunks to keep that nostalgic PB&J vibe going.
Storage Instructions
Keep Fresh: These peanut butter and jelly cups stay perfect in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. I like to separate layers with parchment paper to prevent them from sticking together. They’re actually even better cold, straight from the fridge!
Freeze: Want to make a big batch? These cups freeze really well for up to 3 months. Just place them in a freezer-safe container with parchment paper between layers. They’re great to pull out whenever you need a sweet treat – some people even love eating them straight from the freezer!
Thaw: When you’re ready to enjoy your frozen PB&J cups, just transfer them to the fridge and let them thaw for about 2-3 hours. Once thawed, they’ll have the same great taste and texture as freshly made ones. No need to bring them to room temperature unless you prefer them that way.
| Preparation Time | 20-30 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 15-30 minutes |
| Total Time | 35-60 minutes |
| Level of Difficulty | Medium |
Estimated Nutrition
Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):
- Calories: 2800-3000
- Protein: 30-35 g
- Fat: 180-200 g
- Carbohydrates: 300-320 g
Ingredients
- 125 grams creamy peanut butter (1/2 cup)
- 30 grams unsalted butter, softened (2 tablespoons)
- 125 grams confectioners’ sugar (1 cup)
- 400 grams quality dark chocolate (2 and 2/3 cups)
- 90 grams strawberry or grape jam (1/3 cup)
Step 1: Prepare Trays and Mix Peanut Butter Ingredients
Start by lining a muffin tray with cupcake liners and a cookie sheet or baking tray with parchment or baking paper.
In a large mixing bowl, add your peanut butter and butter.
Using an electric mixer, blend them together until smooth.
Gradually sift in your icing (or powdered) sugar and continue to beat the mixture until a soft but thick dough forms.
Step 2: Form Peanut Butter Balls
Take small portions of the peanut butter mixture and roll them into balls.
Place these balls onto your prepared tray lined with parchment paper.
Once all the balls are ready, place the tray in the fridge to allow them to firm up while you prepare the chocolate.
Step 3: Melt the Chocolate
For melting the chocolate, use the stovetop method to keep it warm and prevent it from hardening too quickly.
Fill a small saucepan with about 2 inches (5 cm) of water and bring it to a gentle simmer over medium heat.
Place the chocolate in a small heatproof bowl and position it on top of the saucepan, ensuring the bowl doesn’t touch the water.
Stir occasionally as the steam gently melts the chocolate, turning it smooth and silky.
Step 4: Assemble the Chocolate Cups
Remove the melted chocolate from the heat but leave the bowl on top to maintain its temperature.
Retrieve the chilled peanut butter truffles from the fridge.
Spoon 1-2 teaspoons of melted chocolate into the bottom of each cupcake liner, making sure it completely covers the base.
Flatten each peanut butter ball slightly and place it onto the chocolate base, ensuring it doesn’t touch the side of the liner.
Step 5: Add Jam and Cover with Chocolate
Add a teaspoon of jam or jelly onto the top of each peanut butter truffle.
Spoon more melted chocolate over the peanut butter and jam, ensuring all sides are completely covered.
This ensures a delicious chocolate coating encases the fillings.
Step 6: Chill and Store
Place your assembled chocolate cups in the fridge for at least one hour, or until they are fully set.
Once set, your chocolate cups can be stored in the refrigerator for easy access or in the freezer for longer storage.
Enjoy these delightful treats whenever you’re in the mood for something sweet and satisfying!