Do you enjoy a good old-fashioned peanut butter and jelly sandwiches? Easy Peanut Butter And Jelly Bars are a quick and easy sweet treat that showcases the classic pairing in a fun new way. Perfect for an every day treat, a potluck dessert, or an after-school snack.
If you have fan of peanut butter in your life, make these bars for them! Our oldest son loves peanut butter so the idea for these started with him. These bars will take you back to the tastes and memories of your childhood. I have fond memories of having PB&J sandwiches in the summertime. Even now, I like a peanut butter and jelly every so often.
Give these a try and let us know what you think in the ratings and comments below!
Try some of our other favorite desserts: Lemon Bars on a Sheet Pan, No Bake Mocha Lush Dessert, Banana Split Cake Dessert, or Apple Cider Bundt Cake.
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Ingredients for Peanut Butter and Jelly Bars
- unsalted butter, softened
- granulated sugar
- brown sugar, packed
- eggs
- vanilla extract
- creamy peanut butter
- all purpose flour
- baking powder
- salt
- preserves/jam/jelly
FAQs
Peanut Butter and Jelly Bars are a delicious dessert or snack that combines the classic flavors of peanut butter and jelly in a layered bar form. They typically feature a peanut butter cookie base, a layer of jelly or jam, and a crumbly topping.
Yes, you can freeze these bars. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil, or place them in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature or in the refrigerator before serving.
Absolutely! Feel free to use your favorite type of jelly or jam, such as raspberry, apricot, or mixed berry. You can also experiment with homemade preserves.
Top Tips
- You can use a combination of both creamy and crunchy peanut butter. You can do a mix or just use one kind, whichever is your preference. All natural peanut butter is not recommended.
- Add chopped peanuts to the top of the bars for an extra crunch, if desired.
- Store in an airtight container or covered tightly with plastic wrap, at room temperature for 3-4 days.
- For longer storage, you can freeze the bars for up to 2 months. Just make sure to wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and foil before freezing.
How to make PB&J Bars
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Prepare a 9x13" baking dish with nonstick spray or parchment paper.
- In a large bowl or bow of an electric mixer, combine softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar on medium speed until well blended, about 2-3 minutes. Scrape down the sides, as needed.
- Beat in eggs, peanut butter, and vanilla extract.
- Add all purpose flour, baking powder, and salt, mixing until no dry flour shows.
- Spread ⅔ of the mixture into the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
- Layer jam/preserves evenly over the top.
- Crumble the remaining dough on top of the jam layer in small clumps.
- Bake 40-45 minutes or until golden brown. Cool and enjoy!
Easy Peanut Butter Jelly Bars Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups creamy peanut butter
- 3 cups all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ cups preserves/jam/jelly
- ½ cup salted peanuts (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Prepare a 9x13" baking dish with nonstick spray or parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl or bowl of an electric mixer, combine softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar on medium speed until well blended. Scrape down the sides, as needed.
- Beat in eggs, peanut butter, and vanilla extract.
- Add all purpose flour, baking powder, and salt and mix until no dry flour.
- Spread ⅔ of the peanut butter mixture into the bottom of the pan.
- Layer jam/preserves evenly over the top.
- Crumble the remaining dough on top of the jam layer in small clumps.
- Sprinkle peanuts over the top, if you are using them. Bake 40-45 minutes or until the edges are golden brown. Cool and enjoy!
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