Peanut Butter and Jelly Poke Cake – Easy Dessert Recipe

 

Peanut Butter and Jelly Poke Cake (Easy Dessert Recipe)

Looking for a nostalgic, easy dessert recipe that everyone will love? This Peanut Butter and Jelly Poke Cake combines the childhood flavors of a classic PB&J sandwich with the comfort of a fluffy vanilla cake. It’s the ultimate crowd-pleaser—and yes, it starts with a box of cake mix!

Perfect for birthdays, potlucks, or just a weekend baking treat, this cake comes together quickly using pantry staples like peanut butter, butter, jelly, and whipped topping. If you’re a fan of strawberry cake, you’ll love how easy it is to swap in your favorite jam flavor. Think of this as a playful alternative to cake carrot cake, made with fewer steps and more fun.

Ingredients

• 1 box (15.25 oz) vanilla cake mix

• 1 ¼ cups peanut butter, divided

• ½ cup butter, melted

• 4 large eggs

• 1 ¼ cups milk

• 1 ¼ cups grape jelly (or strawberry jam), divided

• 8 oz whipped topping (like Cool Whip)

• ¼ cup chopped peanuts (optional, for topping)

 Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Cake

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C).

• Grease a 9x13-inch baking pan.

• In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, 1 cup peanut butter, melted butter, eggs, and milk. Mix until well blended. Don’t worry if the batter looks a little lumpy—this helps keep the cake light and airy.

Step 2: Bake the Cake

•  Pour the batter into your prepared pan.
•  Bake for about 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
•  Let the cake cool for 10 minutes in the pan.

Step 3: Poke and Fill

• Use the handle of a wooden spoon to poke holes evenly across the warm cake.
•  Microwave 1 cup of jelly until pourable (30-second bursts, stirring in between).
•  Spread the warm jelly over the cake, making sure it seeps into the holes for that signature poke cake texture.

Step 4: Chill and Top

•  Allow the cake to cool completely.
• . Spread the whipped topping evenly across the top.
•  Microwave the remaining ¼ cup peanut butter and ¼ cup jelly until they’re pourable.
• .Drizzle both over the top of the cake.
•  Finish with a sprinkle of chopped peanuts for crunch.

 Serving Tips

• Serve cold for best flavor and texture.

• Great for make-ahead dessert recipes—just keep it refrigerated.

• Swap grape jelly with strawberry jam for a strawberry cake twist!

 FAQs

Can I use a different cake mix flavor?

Yes! A yellow or strawberry cake mix also works beautifully in this recipe.

Can I freeze Peanut Butter and Jelly Poke Cake?

Yes, wrap it tightly and freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw in the fridge overnight before serving.

Is this similar to a cake carrot cake?

It’s much simpler! Unlike cake carrot cake, this poke cake uses fewer ingredients and steps, making it perfect for busy bakers.

Can I use almond or other nut butter?

Absolutely. You can substitute peanut butter with almond or cashew butter, just keep an eye on the texture.

more dessert tips and recipes? Explore our latest Next Recipe posts to elevate your home cooking!