People who grew up in the U.S. are bound to have strong memories of peanut butter and jelly. For decades, the sandwich has been a cheap way for parents to feed kids a fairly satisfying lunch during elementary school, and a fun after-school snack. Really, though, PB&J has never been anything gourmet, until now. Skip the sandwich, which you can make at home, and learn about my favorite Los Angeles peanut butter & jelly treats, listed in alphabetical order. To accompany your next level PB&J creations, I strongly recommend “Peanut Butter Jelly Time“ from Buckwheat Boyz for the soundtrack.

UPDATES SINCE SEPTEMBER 15, 2014
Additions: Ginger’s Divine Ice Creams, Good Friend Coffee, Old Ferry Donut, Stanley’s
Subtractions: Magnolia Bakery Peanut Butter Cupcake (N/A), Playa Provisions Back To School Ice Cream Sandwich (N/A), Semi Sweet Bakery (Closed), Stan’s Donuts (Closed), Sugarbloom Bakery PB&J Croissant Muffin (N/A)

Ginger’s Divine Ice Creams Peanut Butter & Jelly Ice Cream- Beverly Grove, Culver City + El Segundo ↓

Good Friend Coffee PBJ Latte – Virgil Village ↓

McConnell’s Fine Ice Creams Peanut Butter & Jelly Ice Cream – DTLA @ Grand Central Market, Santa Monica + Studio City ↓

Old Ferry Donut Peanut Butter and Jam Donut – Cerritos, Koreatown, San Gabriel + Torrance ↓

Stanley’s Grape Expectation with Peanut Butter Cream Top – Pop-Up ↓

Extra Credit: Grill ‘Em All Dee Snider – Long Beach ↓

I haven’t had the gumption to try this gooey beast yet, but Grill ‘Em All founders Ryan Harkins and Matt Chernus honor Twisted Sister frontman Snider with a burger that gets bombed with peanut butter, strawberry jam, bacon and Sriracha. “We’re Not Gonna Take It,” but if you do tackle this burger, there’s a good chance you won’t “Burn In Hell.”