Peanut Butter and Jelly Grilled Cheese with Bacon

This Peanut Butter and Jelly Grilled Cheese Sandwich with Bacon is a sponsored post by Challenge butter, but the text and opinions are all mine. Thank you for supporting brands that make Kylee’s Kitchen possible!

Peanut Butter and Jelly Grilled Cheese with Bacon – Worthy of a Fair Food?

I wanted to create a few state fair-themed recipes in honor of the Indiana State Fair going on this week. One of my favorite things to do at the state fair is visit the Indiana Dairy Association’s Dairy Bar. They serve a variety of grilled cheeses, milkshakes, and ice cream. It’s always delicious!

Each year the Dairy Bar features a unique specialty grilled cheese. So in honor of the Dairy Bar, I created my own unique grilled cheese sandwich: Peanut Butter and Jelly Grilled Cheese with Bacon!

The Ingredients were Carefully Chosen – Not Just For Shock Value

Before I explain my grilled cheese creation, I want to preface it by saying I don’t add ingredients to a recipe without first having a clear vision for their purpose in the dish. That being said, I’m going to tell you why this sandwich works so well and what role each of the key ingredients plays.

Here is the list of key ingredients: peanut butter, raspberry jelly, cream cheese, white cheddar cheese, and bacon.

Peanut Butter

I’m going to start by explaining the role peanut butter plays because its role in the grilled cheese sandwich probably raises the most eyebrows. First, let me bring up the fact that nuts are commonly found on cheese plates. That being said, pairing a nut spread with cheese isn’t that much different. Peanut butter adds a level of decadence and savory sweetness that is nonexistent on grilled cheese sandwiches without it. I recommend using a “natural” or no-sugar added peanut butter. My favorite peanut butter is the peanut butter from Trader Joe’s that is made with just peanuts.

Jelly: Raspberry or Whatever is in your kitchen

Raspberry jelly plays into the sweet and savory flavor combination. Really, you could use any flavor of jelly, but I like raspberry because it has a strong flavor that doesn’t get dominated by the other ingredients.

Cheese: White Cheddar and Cream Cheese, A Mix of Creamy and Stringy

Now I want to talk about the cheese combination: cream cheese and white cheddar cheese. There are two types of cheese you want when making grilled cheese: creamy and stringy. Cream cheese is smooth and rich; white cheddar cheese has really good “cheese pull,” it’s sharp, and it packs a punch. Also, the sharpness of the cheddar complements the sweet raspberry jelly. I used Challenge cream cheese for this recipe because I know they use hormone-free milk from local dairies, resulting in all-natural and high-quality products. 

Bacon

And last but not least—bacon! It adds a salty crunch and plays into the combination of textures and flavors.

PB&J Grilled Cheese with Bacon Ingredient Variations – Let Fair Food Inspire You

Jalapeño Pepper Jelly

Not many people have this in their fridge, but if you wanted to have the sweetness of jelly with a little added heat, jalapeño pepper jelly would be a great substitute for raspberry jam.

Bacon Jam

If you have this on hand, it could save time so you don’t have to cook any bacon. That said – does anyone just have this on hand in their fridge?!?!

I made this recipe on Fox59! If you’re interested in a less sweet grilled cheese try my Grilled Cheese and Red Wine. If you want to be indulgent with the absolute cheesiest option – consider testing out my Pretzel Beer Grilled Cheese.

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