Return to childhood with these yummy Peanut Butter and Jelly Bars made with a handful of easy ingredients.

Do peanut butter and jelly sandwiches bring you back to childhood with just one bite? These dreamy Peanut Butter Bars with Jelly will be an instant new favorite. All of the best flavors are captures in this easy dessert bar recipe. This post may contain affiliate links.

PEANUT BUTTER AND JELLY BARS

Are you ready to the best PB and J Bars around? These easy to make dessert bars can be made with common pantry staples. You may even have all of the ingredients on hand right now.

These delicious Peanut Butter Jam Bars are the best dessert bars you can make at home. They're filled with crunchy peanut butter, strawberry jam and a hint of saltiness from the roasted peanuts.

PB&J DESSERT BAR INGREDIENTS

This recipe is really going to surprise you. This dessert will take your taste buds for a ride and make them want more! Everything you need is in the name: peanut butter and jelly bars.

Here are the ingredients you will need to make this delicious treat.

• Salted butter: You can switch this out for unsalted butter if you prefer less salt in your sweets. But I think it tastes great with salted butter. Traditional cooking calls for this ingredient in recipes like mashed potatoes and casseroles. The salt from the butter enhances the flavor of everything that it's added to!
• All-purpose flour - All-purpose flour is a staple in many kitchens, and can be used in many baked foods from flaky crusts to hearty bread. This staple works wonders in your favorite baked goods.
• Granulated sugar: You can replace this with brown sugar, but there might be a little more seepage from the jelly. Sugar is good for baking and making sauce, granulated sugar can season any meal from a cool morning cereal to dessert like this one.
• Peanut butter: I used creamy peanut butter, but you can try it with crunchy peanut butter. Do not use the all-natural peanut butter, as it won’t incorporate well enough. Peanut butter is a versatile and tasty ingredient that's perfect for many recipes. For example, it can be used in Southwestern Dips, Crepe Spoons, or even savory chicken!
• Grape jelly: Use your favorite type of jam or jelly in place of this. Grab a jar of grape jelly and have it on hand - you just never know when you're gonna need to jazz up some pancakes.
• Cornstarch: The cornstarch is used to firm up the jelly so that it doesn’t seep out when the bars are cut in to. Cornstarch is a tasty ingredient in your favorite recipes. It can be found in everything from crepes, to apple crisp, and donuts! Cornstarch has been around since the early 1800s. 
• Salted peanuts: Not only do the make up an essential part of historically America’s favorite recipes, they also add flavor to meals that could use some pizzazz like casseroles or soups. For a different taste, try differently seasoned peanuts.
• Peanut butter chips: If you want, you can add or substitute this with semisweet chocolate chips. 
• Sea salt: If you don’t have sea salt, sprinkle whatever salt you do have on top. Sea salt has a subtle, yet distinct flavor that is often not noticeable until it's missing.

PB AND JAM BARS RECIPE TOOLS AND SUPPLIES

• 8x8 baking dish - This 8x8 baking dish is the perfect size for a dish of lasagna, a gooey sheet cake, or a more delicate recipe like macaroons. That's because it cooks your food evenly from edge to edge while retaining plenty of moisture.
• Measuring tools - For every baking session, you’ll need the essential tool: measuring cups! Keep your recipe on-track with durable measuring cups and spoons.
• Mixing bowls and tools - The one thing everyone needs in the kitchen is mixing bowls. I have an assortment of sizes to make any and every recipe come alive.
• Stand or hand mixer - Using a stand mixer is the speediest way to whisk together batters for bread, cake, or cookie dough.

HOW DO I STORE THESE PB AND JELLY BARS?

You can store these at room temperature in an airtight container for a few days. You can also freeze these bars for a month or two. Pull them out and stick them in your kid’s lunch box to keep their food cool and be just ready for lunch time. 

CAN I USE A REGRIDGERATED PEANUT BUTTER COOKIE DOUGH OR A PEANUT BUTTER COOKIE MIX?

No, the jelly will very easily seep or combine into these types of mixes. They make the bottom too wet, greasy, and sweet, and will not provide a sturdy enough base. The particular base in this recipe is similar to shortbread, and provides a base that is thick enough and crumbly enough to pair well with the jelly.  

If you're looking for a delicious snack recipe, try making these Peanut Butter and Jelly Bars.

Print the recipe below for the best Peanut Butter and Jelly Bars.  

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Peanut Butter & Jelly Bars Recipe

Yield: 12

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 1 minute 5 seconds

Additional Time: 1 minute 25 seconds

Total Time: 12 minutes 30 seconds

Dessert bar that tastes like a peanut butter and jelly sandwich from childhood. Peanut butter based dessert bar topped with layer of jelly and then peanut butter chips and salted chopped peanuts.

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Ingredients

• ¾ cup ( 1 ½ sticks) salted butter, softened
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• ¾ cup creamy peanut butter
• 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ cup grape jelly
• 1 ½ Tablespoons cornstarch
• ⅓ cup salted peanuts, roughly chopped
• ¼ cup peanut butter chips

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degree Fahrenheit and spray an 8x8 baking dish with cooking oil or line with parchment paper.
2. In a mix, beat butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, about 1-3 minutes.
3. Beat in a peanut butter and mix for one additional minute.
4. Add in flour and stir until just incorporated. Do not over mix.
5. Press half of the dough into the baking pan to create a crust. Smooth out the top so that it lies flat.
6. In a small bowl, stir together cornstarch and jam until the mixture is smooth.
7. Spread jelly evenly across the top of the crust until it reaches the edges.
8. Crumble the remaining dough over the jelly layer. Top it off by sprinkling with salted peanuts, peanut butter chips, making sure to cover the jam with each new addition.  Do not press mixture down.
9. Bake in the oven for 30-35 minutes or until the bars are golden brown and the top layer takes on a matte finish.  There should also be no jiggle when the pan is moved. 
10. Allow bars to cool completely before cutting and serving.

Notes

Equipment needed:

• 8x8 baking dish
• Measuring tools
• Mixing bowls and tools
• Stand or hand mixer

Nutrition Information

Yield 12 Serving Size 1
Amount Per Serving Calories 325Total Fat 12gSaturated Fat 3gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 7gCholesterol 2mgSodium 111mgCarbohydrates 48gFiber 2gSugar 20gProtein 8g

A peanut butter and jelly dessert bar is a fun, new way to enjoy the flavors of your favorite sandwich. With only a handful of common ingredients, this recipe couldn't be easier to make!

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