Description
Peanut Butter and Jelly Bars combine creamy peanut butter with sweet strawberry jam in a chewy, nostalgic dessert. Perfect for snacks, bake sales, or family gatherings, these bars deliver a comforting and delicious twist on the classic sandwich.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups sugar
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 2 cups creamy peanut butter
- 3 cups flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 2 cups strawberry jam
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper, leaving overhang.
- Cream together softened butter, peanut butter, and sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each, then stir in vanilla extract.
- Whisk together flour and baking powder in a separate bowl, then gradually mix into wet ingredients until dough forms.
- Press about 2/3 of the dough evenly into the baking dish to form the base layer.
- Spread strawberry jam evenly over the base layer, leaving edges clear.
- Crumble remaining dough over the jam layer for a textured top.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes until the top is light golden brown.
- Cool completely in the pan, then lift out using parchment overhang and cut into bars.
Notes
- Use parchment paper for easy removal and cleanup.
- Substitute coconut oil or dairy-free butter for a dairy-free version.
- Try almond or sun butter for nut allergies.
- Use almond or coconut flour for gluten-free alternatives, adjusting quantities.
- Any fruit jam can replace strawberry for variety.
- Check bars during baking to avoid over-browning.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 160mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
Keywords: peanut butter bars, jelly bars, peanut butter and jelly dessert, baked peanut butter bars, chewy peanut butter bars