We all have jelly and jam jars hiding in the fridge, tasty fruit preserves we’ve kept around for those PB+J cravings but don’t know what else to do with. Turns out, there are loads of recipes to put those fruity spreads to good use. No matter if you’re armed with classic grape or spicy pepper jelly, there’s no limit to how far your jams and jelly can go. Buy yours at the store or make your jam fresh, and get ready to spread it on thick with these 24 sweet recipes.
1. Thumbprint Cookies: Dessert first! Add a dollop of your favorite jam or jelly to buttery almond cookies. (via Sally’s Baking Addiction)
2. Jam Straws: Move over, cheese straws. There’s a new twist in town! Grab one of these flaky pie dough rolls filled with tasty preserves for a breakfast on the go. (via Fat Girl Trapped In a Skinny Body)
3. Toaster Pastries: This homemade take on Pop-Tarts calls for a seriously awesome shortcut — jam! Instead of mashing up berries, just load these pastries with fruity preserves. (via Love and Olive Oil)
4. Ham and Cheese: The secret ingredient to this ham and cheese on sourdough? Homemade strawberry lemonade jam. (via My Recipes)
5. Peach Cupcakes: These sweet summer cupcakes are seriously peachy keen. That’s because peach jam gives already fresh peaches even more flavor. (via Taste and Tell)
6. Jam Crumb Bars: It’s not peanut butter and jelly, but these crumbly bars have a ton of nutty flavor to add to whatever jelly you have on hand. Do the right thing: Have one for breakfast and for dessert. (via Two Peas and Their Pod)
7. Caramelized Onion Chicken: Want to know the secret to a super sweet and savory sauce? Jam. Add a raspberry version to this chicken dish, made with Asian flavors and sweet onions. (via Cooking Light)
8. Strawberry Cheesecake Lemon Bars: Sweet, creamy, tart — three words that perfectly describe these bright bars made with lemon cake, cream cheese and strawberry jelly. (via Inside BruCrew Life)
9. Chicken Wings: Okay, we already know peanut butter and jelly go together like football and Sunday, but PB+J chicken wings? That’s a trio worth digging into. Marinate your wings in jelly, peanut butter and hot sauce, and you’re in for one spicy surprise. (via NPR)
10. Jelly Doughnut Muffins: Craving a jelly doughnut without the squirting mess? Whip up this batter, mix in some jelly and bake in a muffin tin for a mess-free treat. (via Betty Crocker)
11. Pinwheel Cookies: These buttery cookies couldn’t be easier to make! Lay out some dough, slather on some jelly, roll it up, then slice and bake! (via Tutti Dolci)
12. Brie + Jam Pretzel Hand Pies: Baked brie with jelly is a popular party app, but this blogger is a total genius for throwing the already epic pairing into a soft pretzel shell. Everyone gets their own “pie” of cheesy jelly goodness. (via Girl Versus Dough)
13. Strawberry Smoothie: Make your morning smoothie even fruitier by adding jelly to frozen fruit and milk. (via A Spicy Perspective)
14. PB+J Muffins: Get all that classic sandwich flavor in two bites. These morning peanut butter muffins will delight your taste buds with their jam-loaded insides. (via Averie Cooks)
15. Sweet and Sour Meatballs: You don’t even have to think about this one. Throw three ingredients — meatballs, grape jelly and chili sauce — into your slow cooker, then let the magic happen while you go on with your life. Serve for dinner or as a party appetizer. (via Tablespoon)
16. PB+J French Toast: Let’s just go ahead and call this the ultimate breakfast: Peanut butter and jelly sandwiched between two slices of French toast. Drooling yet? (via Macaroni + Cheesecake)
17. Catalina Chicken: Serve dinner with some island flare. Chicken gets a tangy kick from Catalina dressing and apple vinegar, then a fruity helping of apricot jelly. (via Our Best Bites)
18. PB+J Popcorn: Toss fresh popped kernels with jelly, then mix it with another batch coated in white chocolate and peanut butter and you’ve got a snack that’s just as pretty and colorful as it is delicious. (via Something Swanky)
19. Goat Cheese Grilled Cheese: Give your grilled cheese a major upgrade. This creamy deluxe version has a heaping topping of sweet-and-spicy pepper jelly. (via My Food and Other Stuff)
20. Saltine PB+J Sandwiches: Try eating just one of these stacks. Sweet and creamy peanut butter cheesecake is topped with a heaping spoonful of jelly and sandwiched between salty crackers. Absolutely addicting. (via Diethood)
21. Donut Monte Cristo Sliders: Excuse us while we drool for a moment. These mouthwatering monte cristo sandwiches — that’s ham or turkey with cheese and, yep, jelly — are pressed between donuts, then topped with powdered sugar and more jelly. (via Jelly Toast Blog)
22. Short Rib Grilled Cheese: What is is about jam that makes already amazing food even better? Case in point: A short rib and fontina grilled cheese is even more devour-able after slathering that crispy bread with homemade fig jam. (via Yes to Yolks)
23. Raspberry Vinaigrette: Top your greens with jelly too… or at least with this nutty vinaigrette made with raspberry preserves. (via The Galley Gourmet)
24. Apricot Braided Loaf: This braided bread has everything you want in a morning bread, and we mean everything. Chewy on the outside, light and airy on the inside and sweetly stuffed with apricot jam and cream cheese. (via Karen’s Kitchen Stories)
What’s your jam? Tell us your favorite jelly flavor or recipe below!
Allyson Dickman
Allyson is an editor in Washington, DC. A fan of all things food and travel she's always on the hunt for her next adventure, a good bite to eat and the next best thing to truffles. You can find pics of her delicious travels on Instagram at @allyren.
