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Peanut Butter and Jelly Bars Recipe

Peanut Butter and Jelly Bars Recipe
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★★★★★

5.1 from 13 reviews

Delight in these classic Peanut Butter and Jelly Bars, combining a rich, creamy peanut butter base with a sweet strawberry jam filling and a crumbly topping. Perfect for dessert or a snack, these bars offer a nostalgic twist on the beloved sandwich in a convenient baked form.

Ingredients

Scale

Base and Topping:

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 ½ cups sugar
  • 2 cups creamy peanut butter
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature

Filling:

  • 2 cups strawberry jam

Instructions

  1. Prepare Oven and Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper, making sure to leave some overhang for easy lifting of the bars later.
  2. Cream Butters and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat together the softened unsalted butter, creamy peanut butter, and sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 3 to 4 minutes. This step creates the rich base for the bars.
  3. Add Eggs and Vanilla: Incorporate the eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition to ensure a smooth blend. Then stir in the pure vanilla extract for added flavor.
  4. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and baking powder. Gradually fold this dry mixture into the wet ingredients until a dough forms, ensuring not to overmix.
  5. Form Base Layer: Press about two-thirds of the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish to create the base layer, ensuring it’s compact and level.
  6. Add Jam Layer: Spread the strawberry jam evenly over the base layer, leaving a small margin clear around the edges to prevent the jam from spilling over while baking.
  7. Add Topping: Crumble the remaining one-third of the dough over the jam layer, creating a textured, crumbly topping that will bake to a golden finish.
  8. Bake: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the topping is lightly golden brown and the jam layer is bubbly.
  9. Cool and Slice: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan. Use the parchment paper overhang to lift the bars out of the pan, then cut into squares or rectangles for serving.

Notes

  • Ensure the butter and eggs are at room temperature for better mixing and texture.
  • You can substitute strawberry jam with other flavors like raspberry, grape, or mixed berry.
  • For a crunchier texture, use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy.
  • Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
  • These bars freeze well; wrap tightly and freeze for up to 2 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: Peanut Butter Bars, Jelly Bars, Peanut Butter and Jam, Baked Dessert, Snack Bars, Strawberry Jam Bars

Find it online: https://platedandproud.com/peanut-butter-and-jelly-bars-recipe/