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This heartwarming peanut butter and jelly cobbler turns your favorite childhood sandwich into a cozy, indulgent dessert that'll take you back to simpler times with just one taste. When the gooey strawberry base meets the crispy, nutty peanut butter cookie topping, you get a perfect mix of textures and flavors that'll knock any sweet tooth craving right out of the park.
I whipped this up when my sister's kids came to visit during their summer vacation. They weren't too sure about it at first, but after trying it, they insisted we should ditch birthday cake forever and make this instead.
Ingredients
- Strawberry pie filling: The canned stuff works great here - it's reliably sweet, has the right thickness, and cuts down your prep time big time
- Peanut butter cookie mix: This handy shortcut packs all that nutty flavor without making you measure out a bunch of separate ingredients
- Melted butter: It holds the cookie mix together perfectly and adds a nice rich taste to your topping
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat the Oven:
- Get your oven going at 375°F so it's nice and hot when your cobbler's ready to bake. This temp gives you that golden top while making the filling all bubbly and wonderful.
- Prepare the Filling:
- Empty both strawberry pie filling cans into a 9x13 inch dish and smooth it out across the bottom. Don't leave any behind - scrape those cans clean to get all the yummy strawberry bits spread out evenly.
- Mix the Topping:
- Throw the peanut butter cookie mix and melted butter in a bowl and mix them up good. Keep stirring until all the dry stuff gets wet. You want it crumbly but still sticking together when you press it between your fingers.
- Top the Cobbler:
- Grab little chunks of your cookie mixture and scatter them all over the strawberry layer. Try to cover most of the surface but don't worry about tiny gaps - they'll let the filling bubble up and look pretty while baking.
- Bake to Perfection:
- Stick your dish in the hot oven and let it cook for about 35 to 40 minutes. You'll know it's done when the peanut butter topping turns a nice deep gold color and you can see the filling bubbling around the edges.
- Cooling Period:
- Take it out and let it sit for at least 10 minutes. This gives the filling time to thicken up a bit and makes sure nobody burns their mouth, but it'll still be nice and warm.
- Serve and Enjoy:
- Scoop big portions into bowls while it's still warm. If you add cold ice cream on top, you get that amazing hot-cold combo that just can't be beat.
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My grandma always told me great desserts bring folks together, and this cobbler proves her point every single time. The first time I brought this to a family dinner, everyone went quiet mid-sentence when they took their first bite, then the room filled with happy sounds of approval.
Make Ahead Options
You can get this cobbler ready up to a day before you need to bake it. Just put it all together, including topping the filling with the cookie mix, then wrap it tight with plastic and pop it in the fridge. When you're ready to bake, pull it out while your oven warms up, then cook as usual, adding about 5 extra minutes since everything's cold from the fridge.
Perfect Pairings
This cobbler tastes fantastic by itself, but adding the right sides makes it truly special. Vanilla ice cream is always a winner, melting down into all the warm nooks and crannies. For something different, try butter pecan ice cream which really brings out the peanut butter flavor. A spoonful of fresh whipped cream makes a fluffy contrast to the crunchy top. And if you're a serious peanut butter fan, try drizzling some warm peanut butter over everything just before you dig in.
Dietary Adaptations
You can tweak this recipe to fit different diets pretty easily. Need it gluten free? Just grab a gluten free peanut butter cookie mix instead. Most big brands make them now and they work really well. Watching your sugar? Look for low-sugar pie filling or make your own with fresh strawberries and whatever sweetener you like. Can't do dairy? Just swap in a plant based butter substitute using the same amount as regular butter.
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This treat has just the right touch of nostalgia that'll have your friends and family talking about it long after the last bite is gone.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Can I switch out the fruit filling?
Absolutely! Swap the strawberry filling for options like cherry, blueberry, or peach if you’d like to change it up.
- → Is it okay to make this ahead of time?
Sure thing! Bake it earlier and warm it in the oven before serving. It’s definitely tastiest when it’s warm.
- → What’s a substitute for peanut butter cookie mix?
If you’re out of mix, try whipping up fast peanut butter cookie dough with peanut butter, flour, and sugar, or go for another cookie mix you have around.
- → Can margarine replace butter here?
Yep, margarine works just fine, but it might tweak the flavor and texture a bit.
- → How do I keep leftovers fresh?
Pop the leftovers in the fridge in a sealed container for up to 3 days. Reheat servings in the microwave or oven before enjoying.
- → Can I toss on extra toppings?
Sure! Feel free to sprinkle on nuts, a drizzle of caramel, whipped cream, or even a bit of chocolate syrup to take it up a notch.