Aesthetic lovers, this one’s for you: We’ve recreated the smooth pb&j that broke the internet recently. The gelatinous texture isn’t for everyone, but to be honest this tastes better than expected. The white (bread?) layer is like a sweetened cream and almost tastes like pan cotta. The jelly layer is slightly sweet and tangy, and the peanut butter layer tastes like a muted version of peanut butter. You can find agar agar powder at most specialty or Asian markets. Be careful not to let this set too much between layers—otherwise, the layers won’t connect. However, if you don’t wait long enough, the layers will combine and mix together. Making something this pretty requires expert timing.
How to Make It
Prepare the Bread Layers: Whisk together water and agar agar in a small saucepan. Set pan over medium-high, and whisk in milk, sugar, cream, and salt. Cook, stirring often, until it comes to a boil and sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat, and pour half of mixture into an 8-inch square pan or glass dish. Refrigerate until slightly set but still warm, about 7 minutes. Keep remaining bread layer mixture warm.
While bread layer is setting, prepare the Jelly Layer: Whisk together water and agar in a small saucepan. Set pan over medium high, and whisk in jelly and sugar. Cook mixture, stirring often until it comes to a boil and sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat. Pour jelly mixture carefully over white layer, creating a 1/4-inch jelly layer. Return to refrigerator for about 5 minutes.
Prepare the Peanut Butter Layer: Whisk together cold water and agar agar in a small saucepan. Set pan over medium-high, and stir in peanut butter, sugar, cream, and salt. Cook mixture, stirring constantly until it comes to a simmer and sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat. When jelly layer is mostly set and still slightly warm, pour peanut butter mixture carefully over the top creating a 1/4-inch layer. Return pan to refrigerator about 5 minutes to set.
When peanut butter layer is mostly set and still slightly warm, pour remaining white layer over the top. Return pan to refrigerator to set completely, about 20 minutes.
Invert pan onto a cutting board, and trim off any rounded edges. Cut into quarters, and cut each quarter into a small triangle. Admire the beauty, and eat if desired.