Peanut butter and strawberry jam cupcakes

By Deborah Lee Walker Contributing Writer

(March 3, 2023) Who does not love peanut butter and jelly?

The unassuming mixture is so simple to make and yet the most minute details determine perfection.

Should the bread be toasted or remain soft will never be resolved.

Chunky or smooth peanut butter is an eternal debate where emotions can get the best of both parties.

The difference between jelly and jam is monumental, and can ruin even the best of friendships.

Then there are those who are not content with layers of distinction and decide to mix the peanut butter and jelly until complete emulsion is achieved. Peanut butter and jelly enthusiasts would consider this an act of treason.

When there is so much controversy over the proper way to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, does one know the history of this particular dish.

Fascination comes from the most trivial facts. It is time to learn the real scoop, and spread the knowledge.

The sandwich as we know it was popularized by the Earl of Sandwich.

He had a substantial gambling problem and during a particularly long binge of playing cards, asked his cook to bring him a slice of beef in between two slices of bread so he would not have to get up from the table.

Eventually, the new dish became so popular that it took on Earl’s name.

But how did the pairing of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich come about?

This is not a simple answer since PB&J has three essential ingredients - peanut butter, jelly and bread.

According to Who Invented the Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich, the invention of pre-sliced bread was a major factor.

In the early 1900s, Otto Frederick Rohwedder invented a bread slicer, but bakers were not interested because they thought the average consumer would want their bread pre-sliced.

He perfected his design, promoted as “the greatest thing since sliced bread,” and reintroduced his invention.

The rest is history as sliced bread revolutionized how America eats.

Jelly is the next topic for discussion.

In 1917, Paul Welch secured a patent for pureeing grapes and turning them into jelly.

He developed and promoted Grapelade, which instantly became popular with American troops in World War l.

The last component of the sandwich is peanut butter.

The article, Who Invented the Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich, states that contrary to popular belief, peanut butter was not invented by Dr. George Washington Carver.

Dr. carver was credited with advancing the peanut crop in the South and publishing his “300 Uses for Peanuts.”

Peanut butter was actually created by St. Louis physician, Dr. Ambrose Straub, who made a peanut butter blend for his older patients who had trouble swallowing.

John Harvey Kellogg was the first to patent a process for manufacturing peanut butter and in doing so perfected the spread.

Peanut butter was featured at the St. Louis World Fair where it became so popular, grocery stores started ordering it.

World War II heightened its demand due to its affordable price, high-protein content, and long shelflife which made it portable during long marches.

Grapelade was added and thus started America’s obsession with PB&J sandwiches.

If you like peanut butter and jelly, how about sinking your teeth into a peanut butter and strawberry jam cupcake.

The cupcake is made from a yellow cake mix with the addition of creamy peanut butter. Then, a dollop of strawberry jam is inserted in the center. Store bought icing is piped on the top for a more sophisticated look.

Filling the cupcake is straightforward.

Simply insert an apple corer in the top of the cupcake and pull it out. Fill the cupcake with strawberry jam. Either replace the scrap piece of cupcake to fill the hole or leave it open and frost the cupcake.

If grape jelly is your heart’s desire, replace the strawberry jam with grape jelly and use vanilla icing with a touch of purple gel food coloring.

If one adores the art of entertaining, a piping kit is a must in one’s repertoire of goodies. Piping takes your dish to another level of sophistication and adds to the overall beautification.

I have been teaching children’s cooking classes for 15 years and piping exercises are a huge hit.

Piping kits are inexpensive and can be purchased online. Amazon is probably your best bet for price and selection.

Peanut butter and strawberry jam cupcakes are a yummy way to get the kids involved in the kitchen. Easy, tasty and fun, what more can a parent ask for? Enjoy!

Cupcakes

1 box favorite yellow cake mix

1 ¼ cups water

¾ cup creamy peanut butter

¼ cup canola or vegetable oil

3 eggs

1 1/2 cups strawberry jam

24 paper baking cups

Strawberry Frosting

1 container whipped strawberry frosting

1 container whipped vanilla frosting piping bag kit

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place paper baking cups in each of the 24 muffin cups.

2. In a large bowl, beat cupcake ingredients (except for the jam) with electric mixer on medium speed for 2 minutes. Divide batter evenly among muffin cups. Wash and dry large bowl.

3. Bake 20 to 23 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Make sure the cupcakes are completely cooked. Allow cupcakes to cool before icing them.

4. Filling the cupcakes (optional): using an apple corer, insert into the top of the cupcakes to remove a small section. Fill with jam. Either place the removed cupcake section back in its place or discard it.

5. In a large mixing bowl, mix strawberry and vanilla frosting with an electric mixer until well blended.

6. Using a piping bag, frost the cupcakes and have fun. Try different tips to see what creative cupcakes you can come up with.

* Strawberry frosting has a very intense pink color which I find not pleasing to the eye. So, I mix one con- tainer of strawberry and one container of vanilla frosting, which tones down the intense pink color. This step is optional.

Secret Ingredient – Cupcakes. “A balanced diet is to keep a cupcake in each hand.” – Unknown