Peanut Butter and Jelly Bars

These Peanut Butter and Jelly Bars have a soft peanut butter cookie crust, a layer of jam and all the flavors of the classic sandwich. A perfect dessert for bake sales, parties or lunch box treats.

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Peanut Butter and Jelly Bars Recipe Ingredients

• Salted Butter
• Brown Sugar
• White Sugar
• Large Egg
• Pure Vanilla Extract
• Creamy Peanut Butter
• Baking Soda
• Salt
• Unbleached All Purpose Flour
• Strawberry Jam

These simple pb&j bars are nostalgia of the classic peanut butter and jelly sandwiches you may have had as a kid. All the flavors of your favorite childhood sandwich but in dessert form!

How to Make Easy Peanut Butter and Jelly Bars

1. First, preheat oven to 375°F and line a 9x13 baking dish with parchment paper leaving an inch overhang on the long sides. Or grease the baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
2. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or with a hand mixer and large bowl, combine the softened butter, brown sugar and granulated sugar. Cream together until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
3. Add the egg and vanilla extract and mix together until creamy.
4. Now add the peanut butter and mix together until fluffy and creamy.

5. Next, add the dry ingredients: baking soda, salt and all purpose flour. Mix on low speed just until fully incorporated.
6. Take ¾ of the cookie dough and pat it into an even layer in the prepared baking dish.
7. Then evenly spread the jam over the dough.
8. Place chunks of the remaining dough over the top of the jam.

9. Bake bars in preheated oven on center rack for 20-25 minutes or until the edges and top are golden brown.
10. Let bars cool completely, then slice and serve.

Storing Peanut Butter Jelly Bars

Storing: Store the cooled bars in an air tight container. Keep them in a cool dry place and they'll stay fresh for 4-5 days. If you notice the leftover bars starting to get a little dry, add a piece of bread or a flour tortilla to the container. It will add moisture back into them.

Freezing: These peanut butter jelly bars freeze great! Place the baked and cooled bars in a freezer safe airtight container in single layers, between pieces of wax paper. Or you can individual wrap them in plastic wrap and then place in a freezer safe container or zip top bag. Label, date and freeze. The bars will last 3-4 months in the freezer.

Thawing:  When you are ready to enjoy a delicious bar, simply let them thaw at room temperature for at least 30 minutes.

Tips for Peanut Butter and Jelly Bars

• Line the baking dish with parchment paper leaving an inch overhang on the long edge so you can easily lift the bars out of the pan once cooled.
• Use room temperature ingredients. It helps the dough come together better.
• Always fluff your flour and then spoon and level it to measure. Doing this will prevent too much flour from being added and ultimately making the bars dry.
• Let bars cool completely before slicing. They need time to set so the jam isn't a runny mess.
• To get clean cuts, line the baking pan with parchment paper then once the bars are cooled lift them out of the pan. Using a sharp knife, slice in one smooth cut. Do not use a sawing motion to cut bars. Wipe the knife clean between cuts.
• Serve them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an over the top dessert sundae!

More Delicious Dessert Bar Recipes:

• Classic Homemade Brownies
• Snickerdoodle Bars
• Oatmeal Fudge Bars
• Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting
• Peanut Butter Brownie Bars
• No Bake Cookies and Cream Cheesecake Bars
• Pecan Pie Bars
• Lemon Bars
• Peanut Butter Swirl Brownies
• No Bake Peanut Butter Bars
• Scotcharoo Bars