There is something absolutely magical about the classic combination of peanut butter and jelly. It is one of my all time favorite flavor combos because those rich, nutty, and slightly savory notes of peanut butter perfectly complement the sweet, tangy brightness of jelly. Since I am very much in my coffee at home era, I found myself wondering, why not try to get those exact childhood-favorite flavors right into my morning cup? The end result is completely delicious, incredibly easy, and feels like a total luxury without leaving your kitchen.
An Easy Jam Hack
To keep things super quick and straightforward, this recipe starts with actual store-bought jam instead of forcing you to make a fancy syrup from scratch on a busy morning. But if you do want to go the extra mile, making your own homemade berry syrup is actually incredibly easy and something I always recommend trying. All you need to do is combine one cup of sugar or your favorite sugar replacement, one cup of water, two cups of your favorite fresh berries, and a quick squeeze of fresh lemon juice in a small saucepan. Bring it all to a boil, let it simmer for about ten minutes, mash up those juicy berries to release all that sweet flavor, and strain it through a fine-mesh sieve. You will end up with about a half-cup of gorgeous homemade syrup that you can store in the fridge and use for your lattes all week long.
How To Make This PB&J Iced Latte
Creating this layered masterpiece is all about building those gorgeous, distinct layers that look just as good as they taste. First, we need to create our peanut butter cold foam. In a cup or a small jar, froth together the heavy cream, milk, peanut butter powder, maple syrup, and vanilla bean paste until it becomes beautifully thick and pillowy. I use a handheld milk frother and find that works best.
Next, we whip up our quick jam syrup by mixing together your favorite fruit jam with a splash of hot water. This thins it out just enough so that it easily coats your glass and mixes smoothly into the cold milk instead of clumping up at the bottom.
To assemble, grab your favorite glass and throw in a generous handful of ice. Drizzle that sweet jam syrup right over the ice, pour in your milk of choice, gently pour your freshly brewed shot of espresso over that, and then crown the whole thing with that decadent peanut butter cold foam. Give it a good stir to swirl those layers together, take a sip, and enjoy the ultimate nostalgic treat.
Tips and Tricks for the Perfect PB&J Latte
Choose your jam wisely: Seedless raspberry or strawberry jam works incredibly well here because they thin out beautifully and offer that bright, tart fruitiness that cuts through the rich peanut butter flavor.
Frothing secrets: If you do not have a handheld electric frother, you can put your peanut butter cold foam ingredients into a small mason jar, seal it tightly, and shake it vigorously for about a minute until it thickens up.
Espresso substitute: If you do not have an espresso machine, do not worry. You can easily swap the single shot of espresso for two ounces of strongly brewed coffee or even a concentrated cold brew.
More PB&J Recipes
If you cannot get enough of this classic peanut butter and jelly flavor profile, you have to try some of these other incredible creations:
- Start your morning with a nutritious, layer-packed PB&J Yogurt Bowl.
- Bake up a batch of cozy PB&J Banana Muffins to pair with your morning latte.
- Treat yourself to a batch of sweet and chewy Peanut Butter Jelly Rice Krispie Treats.
- Grab a healthy breakfast on the run with these convenient PB&J Oatmeal Bars.
- For a beautiful morning layer, prep this gorgeous PB&J Greek Yogurt Parfait with Chocolate Shell.
- Keep things fun and frosty with sweet PB&J Frozen Yogurt Clusters.
- Whip up some melt-in-your-mouth Gluten Free PB&J Thumbprint Cookies.
- Enjoy a crisp, cool snack with this delicious PB&J Grape Bark.
People Also Ask (FAQs)
Can I use regular peanut butter instead of peanut butter powder? While regular peanut butter is delicious, peanut butter powder dissolves much more smoothly into the heavy cream and milk. Using regular creamy peanut butter might result in a heavier, clumpy cold foam that does not froth up as light and fluffy. If you do opt for actual peanut butter, I recommend using one where peanuts are the only ingredient, and it should be thin and runny (you can also pop it in the microwave for a few seconds to thin it out).
What is the best milk to use for this recipe? Whole milk or a barista-blend oat milk will give you the creamiest, most luxurious latte base. If you want to make the cold foam dairy-free, use a plant-based heavy whipping cream alternative and a high-quality barista oat milk so it holds its shape. Personally, I opt for a 2% milk, ideally a higher protein option to add to a filling breakfast!
Can I make this hot instead of iced? Yes, absolutely. To enjoy a warm version of this drink, simply warm and froth your milk, stir the thinned jam syrup and espresso directly into the hot milk, and spoon the peanut butter cream right on top.
PB&J Iced Latte
Equipment
- Handheld Milk Frother
Ingredients
- Ice
- 1 shot espresso
- 2/3 cup 2% milk for the latte base
- 2.5 tbsp heavy cream
- 1 tbsp milk
- 1 tbsp peanut butter powder
- 1/2 tbsp maple syrup
- 1/4 tbsp vanilla bean paste
- 1 tbsp jam
- 1.5 tbsp hot water
Instructions
- To make the peanut butter cold foam, combine the heavy cream, one tablespoon of milk, peanut butter powder, maple syrup, and vanilla bean paste in a small cup or jar. Use a handheld electric milk frother to blend the ingredients continuously until the mixture thickens, expands, and turns into a pillowy foam, then set it aside.
- In a separate small dish, combine the jam and hot water, stirring vigorously until the jam dissolves and becomes a smooth, pourable syrup consistency.
- Fill your favorite tall serving glass with a generous amount of fresh ice.
- Drizzle the freshly made jam syrup directly over the ice cubes. Then add milk, top with espresso, and finish with the cold foam on top. Give the latte a good stir to mix all the sweet and nutty flavors together right before taking your first sip. Enjoy immediately!
