Why Make This Recipe
Peanut Butter and Jelly Bars are a delightful treat that combines the classic flavors of peanut butter and jelly into a convenient bar form. These bars are perfect for lunchboxes, after-school snacks, or even as a quick dessert. They are easy to make and are sure to please both kids and adults alike. Plus, they make use of simple ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen!
How to Make Peanut Butter and Jelly Bars
Ingredients:
- 1 cup peanut butter
- 1 cup oats
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup flour
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 cup cream cheese
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup homemade strawberry jam
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1/4 cup sugar
Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a baking dish.
- In a mixing bowl, combine peanut butter, oats, brown sugar, flour, and baking soda to make the base layer. Press evenly into the baking dish.
- Bake for 10 minutes.
- In another bowl, mix cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth. Spread this mixture over the baked oat layer.
- Drop spoonfuls of strawberry jam over the cream cheese layer.
- In another bowl, mix oats, melted butter, and sugar for the crumble topping. Sprinkle this over the jam.
- Bake for an additional 20-25 minutes or until the top is golden.
- Allow to cool before slicing into bars.
How to Serve Peanut Butter and Jelly Bars
Peanut Butter and Jelly Bars are best served at room temperature. You can enjoy them plain or with a glass of milk. They are also great with a scoop of ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for a tasty dessert.
How to Store Peanut Butter and Jelly Bars
To store these bars, place them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. If you want to keep them longer, you can refrigerate them for about a week or freeze them for up to three months. Just make sure to wrap them well to prevent freezer burn.
Tips to Make Peanut Butter and Jelly Bars
- For a richer flavor, use natural peanut butter.
- You can substitute the homemade strawberry jam with any fruit jam or jelly of your choice.
- To make clean cuts, use a sharp knife and make sure the bars are cooled completely before slicing.
Variation
Feel free to add some chopped nuts or chocolate chips to the base layer for extra texture and flavor. You can also use a different type of cheese, like mascarpone, to change it up a bit.
FAQs
Q: Can I use crunchy peanut butter?
A: Yes, crunchy peanut butter will add more texture to the bars!
Q: Is it okay to use store-bought jam?
A: Absolutely! Store-bought jam works just fine if you don’t have homemade jam on hand.
Q: Can I make these bars vegan?
A: Yes, you can use vegan cream cheese and a plant-based butter substitute for a vegan version of this recipe.
Peanut Butter and Jelly Bars
Ingredients
Base Layer
- 1 cup peanut butter For a richer flavor, use natural peanut butter.
- 1 cup oats
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup flour
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
Cream Cheese Layer
- 1/2 cup cream cheese Can substitute with mascarpone cheese.
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup homemade strawberry jam Can substitute with any fruit jam or jelly.
Crumble Topping
- 1/4 cup butter Melted.
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 cup oats Additional oats for the crumble topping.
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a baking dish.
- In a mixing bowl, combine peanut butter, oats, brown sugar, flour, and baking soda to make the base layer. Press evenly into the baking dish.
- Bake for 10 minutes.
Cream Cheese Layer
- In another bowl, mix cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth. Spread this mixture over the baked oat layer.
- Drop spoonfuls of strawberry jam over the cream cheese layer.
Crumble Topping
- In another bowl, mix oats, melted butter, and sugar for the crumble topping. Sprinkle this over the jam.
- Bake for an additional 20-25 minutes or until the top is golden.
- Allow to cool before slicing into bars.