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Tasty Peanut Butter and Jelly Cups

As seen in Sweet Treats to Satisfy Any Craving.

These simple cups mix peanut butter with jelly using just 3 things from your pantry. They bring together sweet jam with salty nut butter and smooth coconut oil. Just put some peanut butter mix in cupcake papers, add a dollop of jam, then cover with more peanut butter mix before popping them in the freezer. Sprinkle some chunky salt on top to make the flavors pop. They don't have any fancy sugars and take almost no time to make. Keep them in your freezer to stay firm or in your fridge if you like them softer.

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Barbara Chef
Created By Sasha
Last updated on Wed, 07 May 2025 14:24:49 GMT
Two desserts with berries and caramel. Save Pin
Two desserts with berries and caramel. | foodthingle.com

This three-ingredient frozen treat turns your favorite sandwich combo into bite-sized cups you'll love. When you take a bite, the coconut oil gives a satisfying crack, while the smooth peanut butter paired with sweet jam brings back that childhood PB&J magic we can't get enough of.

I started making these cups for my kids' playdates on stormy days as a better option than candy from the store. Now they vanish almost as fast as I can put them together when friends come over.

Ingredients

  • Coconut oil: This creates that wonderful firm structure that keeps everything in place
  • Unsweetened peanut butter: Brings rich taste and healthy fats stick with natural kinds for best outcomes
  • Fruit-sweetened jam: Adds natural sweetness without processed sugar pick quality brands for top-notch flavor
  • Optional salt: Boosts all the tastes and makes that can't-resist sweet-salty combo
  • Optional coarse salt topping: Adds a fancy touch that makes the whole treat better

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prepare Muffin Liners:
Put 10 paper liners in a regular muffin tin or set up 10 silicone cups on a baking sheet, making sure they're steady and all set for filling.
Create Peanut Butter Mixture:
Warm the coconut oil in a small pot on low until it just turns liquid. Mix it right away with the peanut butter until totally smooth. Throw in a bit of salt if your peanut butter doesn't have any to make the taste pop.
Form Base Layer:
Put one tablespoon of your peanut butter mix into each cup, making sure it's level on the bottom. Stick the whole tray in the freezer for exactly 10 minutes until the base gets somewhat firm.
Add Jam Center:
Take the tray out when the bottom layer feels solid but isn't fully frozen. Drop two teaspoons of jam in the middle of each cup. Use your spoon back to spread the jam without pushing it all the way to the edges.
Complete The Cups:
Cover each cup with another tablespoon of peanut butter mixture, making sure the jam gets totally covered. For the best look, start pouring in the middle and let it spread out naturally.
Freeze And Set:
Put the tray back in the freezer for at least 30 minutes to get completely hard. If you want to add coarse salt, sprinkle some on after about 5 minutes in the freezer when the tops are starting to firm up.
Two chocolate candies with a dark red filling. Save Pin
Two chocolate candies with a dark red filling. | foodthingle.com

Coconut oil truly works wonders in these little treats. I found out how important it was when I first tried making them with just peanut butter and jam. Without adding coconut oil, they never set right and turned into something tasty but super messy for everyone to eat.

Storage Tips

You can keep these PB&J cups in the freezer for up to 3 months in a sealed container. I like to put parchment paper between layers so they don't stick together. If you want them a bit softer, keep them in the fridge instead, but they'll be much less firm and should be eaten within 2 weeks.

Substitution Ideas

What's great about this treat is how easy it is to change things up. Go for almond butter if you want something a bit fancier or try sunflower seed butter if you can't have nuts. Any jam works too - raspberry gives a nice tang, while apricot adds an interesting sweetness. You could swap coconut oil for cacao butter, but that'll make them taste more like chocolate.

Serving Suggestions

These cups taste awesome straight from the freezer when it's hot outside, but let them sit out for about 5 minutes before eating in colder weather. They go great with a cup of tea or coffee in the afternoon. For something extra fancy, put a cup on a small plate with some fresh berries and a tiny bit of whipped coconut cream.

Two chocolate cups with jam inside. Save Pin
Two chocolate cups with jam inside. | foodthingle.com

Common Recipe Questions

→ Can I swap peanut butter for something else?

Absolutely! Try it with cashew butter, almond butter, or whatever nutty spread you've got in your pantry.

→ Which jam should I pick?

Jams sweetened with fruit work really well, but honestly any jam you love with peanut butter will taste great.

→ Where should I keep these after making them?

Pop them in a sealed container in your freezer if you want them firm, or keep them in the fridge for a softer bite.

→ Is it okay to make more at once?

For sure! Just double or triple everything to make a bigger batch.

→ How do I put everything together?

Start with some peanut butter mix at the bottom, put jam in the middle, then cover it with more peanut butter mix before freezing everything.

Easy PB Cups

Simple 3-ingredient cups mixing peanut butter with jelly. Salty meets sweet without any added refined sugars.

Preparation Time
10 Minutes
Cooking Time
~
Overall Time
10 Minutes
Created By: Sasha

Recipe Type: Desserts

Skill Level: Simple

Regional Style: American

Output: 10 cups

Special Diets: Plant-Based, Meat-Free, No Gluten, Lacks Dairy

What You'll Need

01 1/3 cup melted coconut oil
02 1 cup natural peanut butter (swap with almond or cashew butter if preferred)
03 1/2 cup no-sugar-added fruit jam
04 Salt pinches if wanted
05 Optional sprinkle of chunky salt for topping

Steps to Follow

Step 01

Put 10 paper liners in a muffin pan or set 10 silicone cups on a baking sheet.

Step 02

Warm coconut oil in a small pot till liquid, then stir into peanut butter till smooth and blended. Throw in some salt if you want.

Step 03

Drop a tablespoon of your peanut butter mix into each cup. Stick them in the freezer for 10 minutes.

Step 04

Take cups out and add two teaspoons jam in the middle of each peanut butter base. Flatten the jam gently with your spoon back.

Step 05

Pour another tablespoon of peanut butter mix on each cup to hide the jam completely.

Step 06

Freeze for at least half an hour till they're firm. Keep them in a sealed container - freezer makes them harder, fridge keeps them softer.

Step 07

If you want salt on top, wait till they've been freezing about five minutes first. This keeps the salt from disappearing into the mix.

Additional Tips

  1. Adding a bit of good salt makes a big difference if your nut butter doesn't have any.
  2. Don't let your first layer get too solid or the layers won't stick together well.

Essential Tools

  • Muffin pan
  • Paper or silicone cupcake cups
  • Small cooking pot
  • Mixing whisk
  • Regular spoon

Allergen Information

Always verify ingredient labels for allergens and consult with a healthcare expert if unsure.
  • Watch out if you're allergic to peanuts or nuts based on which butter you pick.
  • People with coconut allergies should avoid this due to the oil used.

Nutrition Info (Per Serving)

These details are best used as an estimate and shouldn't replace professional health advice.
  • Calories: 210.5
  • Fat Content: 18.2 g
  • Carbohydrates: 6.7 g
  • Protein: 4.5 g