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peanut butter and jelly snack cakes on a platter

Peanut Butter and Jelly Snack Cake

Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 8 bars
Calories: 535kcal
Author: Becky Hardin
Peanut Butter and Jelly Cake Bars are a fun and kid-friendly recipe! These Peanut Butter and Jelly Bars make for a tasty dessert, a simple snack, or even an indulgent breakfast. I love putting a new spin on classic kid's food to make something creative and delicious for the whole family. You'll never think of Peanut Butter and Jelly the same once you've had these snack cakes!
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Equipment

Ingredients

For the Cake

  • 15.25 ounces white cake mix 432 grams (1 box)
  • ¼ cup vegetable oil 50 grams
  • ½ cup smooth peanut butter 135 grams, room temperature
  • 3 large eggs 150 grams, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 4 grams
  • 1 cup buttermilk 227 grams (SEE NOTE)

For the PB&J swirl

  • cup smooth peanut butter 90 grams, room temperature
  • ¼ cup powdered sugar 28 grams
  • 1-2 tablespoons vegetable oil 13-25 grams
  • ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract 2 grams
  • cup grape jelly or jam 113 grams
  • ¾ teaspoon hot water 4 grams (200-212°F)

Instructions

For the Cake

  • Set oven rack to the middle position and preheat oven to 350°F. Spray an 8x8-inch baking pan with nonstick spray. Set aside.
  • In the bowl of a stand mixer (or using a hand mixer), slowly beat together the cake mix, oil, peanut butter, eggs, vanilla, and buttermilk. Mix for 1 minute on low until ingredients are combined. Turn mixer to medium speed and mix for 1-2 more minutes, until smooth and the dry ingredients have been incorporated into the batter. Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan; set aside.
    15.25 ounces white cake mix, ¼ cup vegetable oil, ½ cup smooth peanut butter, 3 large eggs, 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract, 1 cup buttermilk
  • In a small bowl, mix together the peanut butter, sugar, oil, and vanilla until smooth; set aside.
    ⅓ cup smooth peanut butter, ¼ cup powdered sugar, 1-2 tablespoons vegetable oil, ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • In another small bowl, whisk together the jelly (jam) and the hot water until loosened and almost smooth.
    ⅓ cup grape jelly or jam, ¾ teaspoon hot water
  • Place alternating dollops of the grape jelly and the peanut butter mixtures, about ½-1 inch apart, over the entire cake. Drag the tip of a knife through the dollops to create a swirl pattern throughout the entire cake and from edge-to-edge.
  • Bake at 350°F for 45-60 minutes, until a toothpick or cake tester inserted in the middle comes out almost clean. Transfer cake to a cooling rack to cool completely before cutting.

Notes

  • Buttermilk: You can use whole milk in place of the buttermilk, or make your own buttermilk.
    • To make your own buttermilk, measure 1 cup of milk, remove 1 tablespoon of it, and mix in 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar. Let this mixture sit for 5 minutes before using in the recipe.
  • Feel free to change up the jelly/jam to suit your tastes. Grape is classic, but raspberry or strawberry would also be great!
Storage: Store peanut butter and jelly snack cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

Nutrition

Serving: 1bar | Calories: 535kcal | Carbohydrates: 65g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 27g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 9g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 65mg | Sodium: 549mg | Potassium: 260mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 38g | Vitamin A: 139IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 178mg | Iron: 2mg