These Peanut Butter and Jelly Bars are rich and peanut buttery, slathered with jam and the perfect lunch box or after school treat!
Hey guys! Happy Monday!
How was everyone’s weekend? We enjoyed some unexpected cooler weather. It was heavenly and got me thinking college football, soup season and dare I say pumpkin recipes?
I wasn’t planning on sharing these Peanut Butter and Jelly Bars today, but when your sister sends you a text asking if you have a good recipe for peanut butter and jelly bars, you change things up.
I actually had these on the schedule in a few weeks anyway, because they’re the perfect treat for the kiddos for back to school season.
They’re great to throw in their lunch boxes or for after school when they burst in the door screaming, “Mom! I’m dying of hunger!”
I’ve been working on a few different cookie bars and I’ve made sure they’re incredibly easy for you busy moms and dads AND sure to get the kid’s approval!
Rich, peanut butterry bars slathered with strawberry preserves (or whatever flavor you enjoy), then sprinkled with some lightly salted dry roasted nuts with a glass of milk on the side and you’ve got a classic combination that never disappoints.
Enjoy!
A Few Cook’s Notes for Peanut Butter and Jelly Bars Recipe:
I used strawberry preserves for this recipe, but feel free to use whatver flavor you like best.
The pan I used was an 8-inch square pan.
I sprinkled the bars with some lightly salted dry roasted nuts before baking. This is totally optional.
These Peanut Butter and Jelly Bars are rich and peanut buttery, slathered with jam and the perfect lunch box or after school treat!
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp. baking powder
- 3/4 tsp. salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 3/4 cup peanut butter
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar, firmly packed
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1 cup strawberry preserves
- 1/3 cup lightly salted dry roasted nuts, chopped
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray an 8x8 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.
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In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt.
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To the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, add butter and peanut butter and mix on medium speed for one minute until combined. Add sugars and continue to mix until smooth. Add egg and vanilla and mix until smooth. Add the flour mixture and mix on low speed until just incorporated.
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Transfer half of the dough to the prepared baking dish. Press evenly into the bottom of the dish. Spread the preserves evenly over the dough. Add small clumps of the remaining dough over the top of the jam. (as pictured) Sprinkle with the dry roasted nuts. Bake until golden brown, about 30 minutes. Remove from over and cool on wire rack. Cut into 9 large squares and the cut each square in half on the diagonal. Bars can be stored in airtight container at room temperature.
Oh wow, Mary Ann! These look delicious – and PB and J is of course a match made in heaven :) it is such a coincidence to come across this recipe.. my Mum and I were saying how much we were craving it this afternoon :D :D
Hope you give these a try them Alex! Perfect with a cold glass of milk!
Who doesn’t love pb and jelly in cookie form?? Wish I had these with my lunch today! Perfect with a tall, cold glass o milk ;) Pinned!
I know, right?! Thanks for pinning Dawn. Have an awesome week!
It was cooler here this past weekend too and it put me in the mood for all things fall! Speaking of mood, I’m now in the mood for one of these bars for breakfast. I have a serious weakness for all things peanut butter and jelly! Pinning for later!
The weather was so fabulous here this weekend Leanne! I’m thinking ahead to all things fall! I have a weakness for PB&J too. I never ate it as a kid, but I’m making up for it now! Happy Monday!
One of my favorite treats! We don’t have kids coming through the door at the end of a school day anymore, but they’ll surely love to be greeted by a plate full of these on a weekend visit! Pinned!
Yes they will Annie! Thanks for pinning!
I’m a sucker for PB&J, so this cookie bar version is calling my name! Such a fun treat for all ages!
Me too Marissa! Bet you’d love these!
We’re a long way off from cool weather in Los Angeles, Mary Ann – but these are perfect anytime! Love PB&J anything – but as a cookie bar you are taking it over the top! Looking forward to making this – and you are a good sister!
Thanks so much Geraldine! I’ll keep my fingers crossed for some cooler weather for you!
You can just never go wrong with peanut butter and jelly and yes, these are perfect for after-school snacks for the young ones. Or any time of day for us older folks :)
I agree Jennifer!
Mary Ann! Can’t think of anything I want more right now than these delicious bars! We are such peanut butter lovers here, I may have to double the recipe right off the bat! Yum Yum and Yum!
So glad to hear Laura! Hope you all enjoy them!
My niece and nephew went back to school two weeks ago and school here started today, so you actually have perfect timing for these, Mare! I’m definitely telling my sister to make these for the littles! They look absolutely scrumptious!! And, you know I’ll be making these for me, because a girl deserves a good after work treat too!! Pinned!
Yes! You deserve a treat too Chey!! Hope you enjoy them!
GASP, Mary Ann! Did you just say pumpkin!? Haha. Glad you got some cooler weather though! And glad you shared these bars. I wish I was your neighbour so I could sample all of these goodies! These would be such a good after-school snack!
I know! I said pumpkin! Bet the kids would love them Katherine! They’re such a treat with a cold glass of milk!
Well these are totally my type of bar! PB&J is such a great combo. They don’t really eat a lot of peanut butter in the UK, so I’ve been inducting my boys into it early!! They will love these!
Bet they will Matt! Perfect with some cold milk!
Still super hot here so I’m keeping this for cold weather :-) Anyone mentioned pumpkins ? Miles away :-) :-) :-) Thank you dear Mary Ann !
You’re so welcome Davorka!
I do my best to avoid thinking about back to school time but I’m super excited for college football! These are perfect for game days! YUM!
Can’t wait for game days Kelsie! UMich starts this Saturday!
I have a bottle of apricot jelly which no one is enjoying a lot! You gave me a perfect way to finish that bottle! Loving the jelly bars.
Yay! Hope you enjoy them Kankana!
Mary Ann – You always have such fun, delicious ideas! These are perfect for back to school and I just happen to know a few kiddos that would love, love, love these!
Thanks so much Kathy! I know they would. They’re such a hit here!
Oh goodness Mare! I absolutely loooove these… and their versatility! I just made a batch of Rhubarb vanilla (we’re still getting rhubarb at the market!) and it would be soooooo good in this! We had a bit of cool air too… but dang it the heat is back :/ I gotta get these on the menu!
You’d really enjoy these Traci! And with that jam? Sounds so delicious!
First time making. Doubled recipe and used 9 x 13 dish. Came out great. Had leftover dough and made smaller ones in ramekins. Has anyone tried to freezer these delicious bars?
Glad you tried them Mike and so happy they came out great! I freeze all kinds of bars in freezer Ziploc bags and when I have a craving I pop one or two out and let them come to room temp and enjoy!