Introduction

Peanut Butter Jelly Bread is a delightful twist on the classic sandwich, merging the comforting flavors of peanut butter and strawberry jam into a moist, tender loaf. Topped with a crunchy peanut streusel, this bread makes a perfect snack or breakfast treat that’s both nostalgic and unique.

The image shows a partially sliced loaf of crumb-topped cake with a light brown inside that has small red berry pieces mixed throughout. There are three slices placed on a sheet of parchment paper on a wooden board. The crumb topping is golden brown with a rough texture and sprinkled with chopped nuts. To the left, a small white bowl holds a deep red jam with a butter knife resting inside it. A bright red strawberry with green leaves sits in the lower right corner on the white marbled surface. There are crumbs and nut pieces scattered around the loaf. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

Peanut streusel:

¼ cup brown sugar, packed
¼ cup all-purpose flour
¼ cup crushed peanuts
3 tablespoons butter, melted

Peanut butter jelly bread:

¾ cup brown sugar, packed
1 cup milk
2 eggs
¾ cup creamy peanut butter
2 cups all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup chopped strawberries
½ cup strawberry jam

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5 inch loaf pan and optionally line it with parchment paper along the bottom and two longest sides for easy removal after baking.
Step 2: Prepare the peanut streusel by mixing brown sugar, flour, and crushed peanuts in a small bowl. Add melted butter and stir until the mixture is crumbly. Place it in the refrigerator while you make the bread batter.
Step 3: In a large bowl, whisk together brown sugar, milk, eggs, and creamy peanut butter until smooth and combined.
Step 4: Add the flour, baking soda, and salt to the wet ingredients. Using a rubber spatula, gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet until just combined. Then stir in the chopped strawberries.
Step 5: Spoon dollops of strawberry jam over the batter and fold it in a few times to create swirls, being careful not to overmix.
Step 6: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and spread it evenly. Optionally, scatter extra chopped strawberries on top.
Step 7: Remove the peanut streusel from the fridge and crumble it with your hands or a fork. Sprinkle the streusel evenly over the batter.
Step 8: Bake for 60 to 75 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick in the center; it should come out with a few moist crumbs but no raw batter. To avoid over-browning, loosely cover the bread with parchment paper or aluminum foil halfway through baking if desired.
Step 9: Once baked, place the bread on a wire rack and allow it to cool in the pan for 1 hour. For cleaner slices, let the bread cool completely on the rack before slicing. Serve plain or with butter, peanut butter, or jelly.

Tips & Variations

For more crunch, toast the peanuts before crushing them for the streusel.
Swap strawberries for blueberries or raspberries to change up the flavor profile.
If you prefer a chunkier texture, fold in extra jam instead of swirling it into the batter.
Use natural peanut butter for a more intense peanut flavor and slightly different texture.
Ensure not to overmix the batter to keep the bread tender and light.

Storage

Store leftover bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, wrap tightly and refrigerate for up to one week or freeze for up to 3 months. To reheat, warm slices briefly in a toaster oven or microwave until just heated through.

How to Serve

A loaf of crumb cake is shown with three slices cut and laid in front of it on a white marbled surface. The cake has two main layers: a dense, light brown cake base with small red fruit bits inside, and a thick, crumbly golden top layer mixed with nuts. Crumbs and nut pieces are scattered around the cake. In the background, there is a small white bowl with red jam and a striped cloth nearby. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy?

Yes, crunchy peanut butter can be used for added texture, though it will slightly change the bread’s tenderness and consistency.

Can I substitute fresh strawberries with frozen?

Frozen strawberries can be used but make sure to thaw and drain them well to prevent excess moisture, which could affect the bread’s texture.