Print

Chewy Peanut Butter and Jelly Bars

chewy peanut butter and jelly bars - featured image
Print Recipe

A nostalgic and easy-to-make treat that transforms the classic peanut butter and jelly sandwich into chewy, handheld bars perfect for snacks or dessert.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup (250g) creamy or chunky peanut butter
  • 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 3/4 cup (150g) packed brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup (125g) all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour blend)
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup (about 160g) thick jelly or jam (strawberry, grape, raspberry, or preferred flavor)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8×8 inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper.
  2. In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar using a hand or stand mixer until fluffy and pale, about 3-4 minutes.
  3. Mix in the peanut butter until fully combined.
  4. Add the egg and vanilla extract, beating just until combined. Avoid overmixing.
  5. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
  6. Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined. The batter will be thick and sticky.
  7. Spread half of the batter evenly in the prepared pan, pressing firmly.
  8. Spread the jelly evenly over the batter layer, leaving a small border around the edges.
  9. Drop spoonfuls of the remaining batter over the jelly and lightly spread or press to cover, allowing some jelly to peek through.
  10. Bake for 25-30 minutes until edges are golden and the center is soft but set. A toothpick inserted near the edge should come out with a few moist crumbs.
  11. Cool completely in the pan on a cooling rack for at least one hour before slicing.

Notes

[‘Do not overmix the batter after adding dry ingredients to avoid tough bars.’, ‘Use room temperature butter and egg for best texture.’, ‘Choose a thick jelly to prevent sogginess; reduce runny jelly on stove if needed.’, ‘Press dough firmly when spreading to avoid air pockets and ensure even baking.’, ‘Start checking bars at 25 minutes to avoid drying out.’, ‘Metal pans provide more even baking than glass pans.’, ‘Bars develop more flavor after resting a day.’, ‘For vegan version, replace egg with a flax egg (1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 3 tbsp water, set for 5 minutes) and use vegan butter.’, ‘Gluten-free flour can be used 1:1 for all-purpose flour.’]

Nutrition

Keywords: peanut butter bars, jelly bars, chewy bars, peanut butter and jelly, easy dessert, homemade snack, classic treat

Find it online: https://junomeals.com/chewy-peanut-butter-and-jelly-bars-recipe-easy-homemade-classic-treat/