Easy Peanut Butter & Jelly Monkey Biscuits | Pull-Apart Bread

There’s something undeniably nostalgic about peanut butter and jelly — and when you bake it into soft, flaky monkey biscuits, it becomes pure comfort food. These Peanut Butter & Jelly Monkey Biscuits are buttery, tender, and layered with melty peanut butter and jam in every bite. They pull apart easily, making them perfect for brunch, holidays, or a cozy weekend breakfast.

Baked in a loaf pan and served warm, this recipe feels like a cross between classic biscuits and pull-apart bread — familiar, comforting, and irresistible.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Classic PB&J flavors with a cozy, homemade twist
• Soft, flaky biscuits that pull apart beautifully
• Perfect for brunch, holidays, or breakfast-for-dinner
• Easy to customize with your favorite jam flavor
• Made with simple pantry ingredients

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Ingredients

Biscuit Dough

• 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ cup (½ stick) cold butter, cut into pieces
• ¾ cup buttermilk

Peanut Butter Layer

• ¼ cup creamy peanut butter
• 2 tablespoons butter

Jelly Layer

• 6 tablespoons seedless strawberry jam (or your favorite flavor)

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven
   Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9×5-inch loaf pan with foil, leaving a 2-inch overhang. Spray foil lightly with nonstick cooking spray.
2. Melt the peanut butter mixture
   In a small saucepan over low heat, combine the peanut butter and 2 tablespoons butter. Stir until melted and smooth. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
3. Make the biscuit dough
   In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Cut in the cold butter using a pastry blender or two knives until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in the buttermilk just until moistened.
4. Shape and layer
   Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead gently 6–8 times. Pat into an 8×6-inch rectangle and cut into 1-inch squares. Roll one-third of the dough squares in the peanut butter mixture and arrange in a single layer in the prepared pan. Spoon 2 tablespoons of jam evenly over the dough. Repeat the layers two more times, finishing with jam on top.
5. Bake
   Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until the jam is bubbly and the biscuits are golden and flaky.
6. Cool and serve
   Cool in the pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes, then lift out using the foil. Serve warm.

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Tips for Success

• Keep the butter cold for the flakiest biscuits
• Don’t overwork the dough — gentle handling is key
• Try raspberry, grape, or mixed berry jam for variation
• Serve warm with extra butter or a drizzle of honey

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Storage & Reheating

• Store leftovers tightly covered at room temperature for 1 day or refrigerated up to 3 days
• Reheat gently in the oven or microwave until warm

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Perfect For

• Weekend brunch
• Holiday breakfasts
• Cozy winter mornings
• Kid-friendly baking projects
• Breakfast potlucks

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Print

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make peanut butter and jelly monkey biscuits ahead of time?

Yes. You can assemble the biscuit layers in the loaf pan, cover tightly, and refrigerate overnight. Bake fresh the next morning, adding 5–10 minutes to the baking time if needed.

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What kind of jam works best for monkey biscuits?

Seedless strawberry jam is classic, but raspberry, grape, or mixed berry all work well. Use a thick jam to prevent it from soaking too much into the biscuits.

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Can I use regular milk instead of buttermilk?

Yes, buttermilk gives the biscuits a softer, more tender texture. If needed, make a substitute by adding 1 tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice to ¾ cup milk and letting it sit for 5 minutes.

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Why does the butter need to be cold?

Cold butter creates flaky layers in the biscuits as it melts during baking. Warm butter can make the dough dense instead of light and tender.

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How do I store leftover monkey biscuits?

Store leftovers covered at room temperature for up to 1 day or refrigerated for up to 3 days. Reheat gently before serving.

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Can I freeze peanut butter and jelly monkey biscuits?

Yes. Wrap the baked and cooled biscuits tightly and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and warm in the oven before serving.

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Can I bake this in a different pan?

A loaf pan works best for pull-apart layers, but you can also use an 8×8 baking dish. Baking time may vary slightly.

Final Thoughts

These Peanut Butter & Jelly Monkey Biscuits are the kind of recipe that brings everyone into the kitchen. Warm, nostalgic, and just a little indulgent, they’re proof that simple flavors can still feel special. Whether you’re serving them for brunch or baking them just because, this is one recipe you’ll come back to again and again.