Peanut Butter and Jelly Bars are a fun twist on the classic sandwich!
PB&J bars have a peanut butter cookie base topped with your fave jelly, jam, or preserves for a tasty, protein rich treat.
This easy recipe is so quick to make and is a family favorite at school, on the sports field, and at home!
![If you’re looking for a kid-friendly treat, how about giving this easy recipe for peanut butter and jelly bars a try? With their sugary peanut butter dough and fruity jam swirls, they make a delightful twist on the classic sandwich! Bake them until they're crispy and golden for a delicious treat. They're ideal for snacking after school. For a healthy option, skip the added sugar! #peanutbutterandjellybars #pb&jbars #theshortcutkitchen #peanutbutterandjellybarshealthy slice of peanut butter and jelly bars](https://centslessdeals.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Peanut-Butter-and-Jelly-Bars-TheShortcutKitchen-34.jpg)
Easy PB&J Bars!
- The options for mix-ins are endless! It’s like a new recipe every time.
- Protein-packed peanut butter is a healthy fat that provides energy and goes with any jelly!
- Peanut butter and jelly bars are hard to resist fresh from the oven, but also stay chewy even after they’ve cooled!
![Make this easy recipe for sweet and buttery peanut butter and jelly bars and wait for the compliments! The base consists of a protein filled peanut butter dough, covered with swirls of jam, and baked until golden and crunchy. PB&J bars are great for snacks or lunchtime treats and easy to freeze. Want a healthier option? Skip the added sugar! This classic sandwich recipe turned dessert is the best! #peanutbutterandjellybars #pb&jbars #theshortcutkitchen #peanutbutterandjellybarshealthy ingredients assembled to make peanut butter and jelly bars including sugar, flour, peanut butter, jam, egg, butter, baking soda, and salt](https://centslessdeals.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/IG-Peanut-Butter-and-Jelly-Bars-TheShortcutKitchen-b.jpg)
Ingredients and Variations
Peanut Butter – Choose creamy or crunchy peanut butter.
Jelly – Use up homemade jelly, jam, or preserves! Use two of your favorites side-by-side in Step 6 or blend them together (ex: blueberry and orange marmalade).
![This recipe for sweet peanut butter and jelly bars is a sweet and fun spin on a kids' sandwich! Whisk together flour, butter, sugar and peanut butter into a dough, add fruity jam on top, then bake until golden and delicious. PB&J bars make a tasty, protein rich after-school snack or lunchtime surprise. They're super easy to make and freeze well, so you can enjoy them anytime! peanutbutterandjellybars #pb&jbars #theshortcutkitchen #peanutbutterandjellybarshealthy ingredients for peanut butter and jelly bars being mixed in a bowl](https://centslessdeals.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Peanut-Butter-and-Jelly-Bars-TheShortcutKitchen-8.jpg)
![Peanut butter and jelly bars are a creative twist on a favorite kids’ sandwich! Protein rich peanut butter dough is topped with swirls of jam, then baked to a crispy, buttery crunch. They make the perfect after school snack, or lunchtime treat. Easy to bake and freeze! They thaw in minutes, or enjoyed as a frozen treat! Make them more healthy by eliminating the added sugar. #peanutbutterandjellybars #pb&jbars #theshortcutkitchen #peanutbutterandjellybarshealthy batter for peanut butter and jelly bars](https://centslessdeals.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Peanut-Butter-and-Jelly-Bars-TheShortcutKitchen-10.jpg)
![If you’re looking for something new, (but not too different!) try this cool recipe for peanut butter and jelly bars! Make a sweet peanut butter dough, swirl some jam on top and bake until they're golden and crispy! This twist on a classic kids’ sandwich is perfect for snacking after school or at lunchtime. Plus, you can freeze PB&J bars for later enjoyment. #peanutbutterandjellybars #pb&jbars #theshortcutkitchen #peanutbutterandjellybarshealthy uncooked peanut butter and jelly bars in a pan](https://centslessdeals.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Peanut-Butter-and-Jelly-Bars-TheShortcutKitchen-13.jpg)
![For a fun twist on a classic kids’ sandwich, try this recipe for peanut butter and jelly bars. A sweet and buttery peanut butter dough is topped with swirls of jam and baked to perfection! PB&J bars make a terrific protein rich after school snack or lunchbox treat. Plus, you can freeze them for later. Skip the extra sugar for a more healthy option! #peanutbutterandjellybars #pb&jbars #theshortcutkitchen #peanutbutterandjellybarshealthy sliced peanut butter and jelly bars](https://centslessdeals.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Peanut-Butter-and-Jelly-Bars-TheShortcutKitchen-18.jpg)
How to Make Peanut Butter and Jelly Bars
The classic sammie is reimagined as a dessert bar!
- Cream sugars, peanut butter, and butter together. Add egg and vanilla, as per the recipe below.
- Whisk the dry ingredients together and slowly incorporate them into the batter until a thick dough forms.
- Press the dough into a prepared pan.
- Drop dollops of jelly over the dough and drag a butter knife through the jelly in a swirl.
- Bake until the edges are brown and the cookies are set. Cool completely before slicing.
PB&J Cookie Bar Tips!
- Check the expiry dates on the baking soda to be sure it’s fresh.
- For faster blending, let the butter and egg come to room temperature before using in Step 2.
- Delish served with a steaming hot latte or cool sweet tea.
![A fun, easy and protein filled treat with kids in mind is this recipe for peanut butter and jelly bars. A sweet peanut butter dough is pressed into a pan, then topped with swirls of jam, and baked until they're crispy and golden. They're perfect for the after school munchies, or packing in the lunchbox. Plus, they freeze like a dream! Want a more healthy option? Just leave out the sugar! #peanutbutterandjellybars #pb&jbars #theshortcutkitchen #peanutbutterandjellybarshealthy peanut butter and jelly bars slices on plates](https://centslessdeals.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Peanut-Butter-and-Jelly-Bars-TheShortcutKitchen-35.jpg)
Simple Storage Solutions
Keep leftover peanut butter and jelly bars in a covered container at room temperature or in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Easy to bake and freeze, pop one or two out and they’ll be thawed in minutes!
Perfect Peanut Butter Treats!
Did you enjoy this quick and easy recipe for Peanut Butter and Jelly Bars? Leave a comment and rating below!
![slice of peanut butter and jelly bars on a plate](https://centslessdeals.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Cropped-Peanut-Butter-and-Jelly-Bars-TheShortcutKitchen-34-500x500.jpg)
Peanut Butter and Jelly Bars
Ingredients
- ½ cup brown sugar packed
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- ¾ cup peanut butter
- ½ cup unsalted butter softened
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup strawberry jelly or jam
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350℉. Grease, or line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl using a hand mixer (or by hand), cream together brown sugar, granulated sugar, peanut butter, and butter. Mix in the egg and vanilla.
- In a medium bowl, mix together the flour, salt, and baking soda.
- Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing thoroughly until a thick dough forms.
- Press the peanut butter dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan.
- Drop small dollops of jelly over the peanut butter mixture and then gently drag a butter knife through the jelly to create a swirling effect.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the center of the bars are firm.
- Allow the bars to cool completely before slicing.
Notes
- Make sure baking soda is not expired.
- Bring butter to room temperature for easier blending.
- Store PB&J bars in an airtight container, at room temperature or in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
©The Shortcut Kitchen. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited.
![Try this fun peanut butter and jelly bars recipe for a creative twist on a classic kids’ sandwich! A sugary peanut butter dough is topped with swirls of jam and baked to a crispy, buttery crunch. They make a tasty protein rich after school snack, or lunchtime treat. Easy to bake and freeze! They thaw in minutes, or enjoyed as a frozen treat! Make them more healthy by eliminating the added sugar. #peanutbutterandjellybars #pb&jbars #theshortcutkitchen #peanutbutterandjellybarshealthy easy peanut butter and jelly bars on a white plate with a title](https://centslessdeals.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/SP-Peanut-Butter-and-Jelly-Bars-TheShortcutKitchen.jpg)
![Try this recipe for sweet peanut butter and jelly bars, a fun spin on a kids' sandwich! Whisk together flour, butter, sugar and peanut butter into a dough, add some fruity jam swirls, then bake until golden and delicious. PB&J bars are a tasty protein rich after-school snack or lunchtime surprise. They're super easy to make and freeze well, so you can enjoy them anytime! peanutbutterandjellybars #pb&jbars #theshortcutkitchen #peanutbutterandjellybarshealthy Peanut butter and jelly bars with text](https://centslessdeals.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/NP-Peanut-Butter-and-Jelly-Bars-TheShortcutKitchen-b.jpg)
![Give this tasty recipe for sweet and buttery peanut butter and jelly bars a try! Make a sugary peanut butter dough, cover with swirls of jam, then bake until golden and crunchy. PB&J bars are great for snacks or protein filled lunchtime treats, plus are easy to freeze. Want a healthier option? Skip the added sugar! This classic sandwich recipe turned dessert is the best! #peanutbutterandjellybars #pb&jbars #theshortcutkitchen #peanutbutterandjellybarshealthy peanut butter and jelly bars and ingredients with text](https://centslessdeals.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/LP-Peanut-Butter-and-Jelly-Bars-TheShortcutKitchen-.jpg)
I made these with my kids at day care this week. They LOVED them! But, I did have to cook them longer than 20 minutes. My cooking time was almost 40 minutes and they were still moist & gooey.
My son would love this! Thanks for sharing!
Visiting from Delicious Dish Tuesday 🙂
This is such a sweet idea! My kiddos love a good pb & J, so we will have to try this one! Thanks for sharing with us this week at the Monday Funday link party!
Take care,
Trish