The best Peanut Butter and Jelly Bars recipe
Creamy and salty peanut butter, with sweet strawberry jam, equals perfection in the form of a bar! These Peanut Butter and Jelly Bars are soft and super easy to make, all your childhood flavors and memories in one dessert!
My childhood memories are filled with Peanut butter and Jelly sandwiches (and spoonfuls for that matter!). It’s such a nostalgic, memory filling flavor that I had to incorporate it in a recipe.
These bars are sweetened mainly with brown sugar, which makes them extra soft, plus the butter and peanut butter helps keeping them moist.
The middle Strawberry jam layer adds an extra texture and helps the flavor combo come full circle.
Ingredients
This recipe calls for simple ingredients you can find at any grocery store. Each one helps create balanced, tasty bars with a soft texture.
- All-purpose flour: Builds the structure so the jelly bars hold their shape when sliced on a cutting board.
- Baking soda: Helps the bars rise slightly and stay soft.
- Cornstarch: Keeps the texture tender, making them feel more like breakfast bars.
- Brown sugar: Adds moisture and enhances the natural sweetness of the bars.
- Granulated sugar: Balances the flavor and helps create a light texture.
- Creamy peanut butter: Adds richness and smooth flavor to the dough.
- Unsalted butter: Helps everything blend smoothly in a large bowl.
- Coarse salt: Balances the sweetness and brings out the peanut butter flavor.
- Eggs: Help bind the dough and give structure.
- Vanilla extract: Adds warmth and depth to the flavor.
- Strawberry jam: Creates the signature jelly layer and adds natural sweetness.
Take a look at the recipe card at the bottom of this post for the full recipe.
Add-ons & Substitutions
These jelly bars are easy to adjust based on what you have or what you prefer.
- Use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy peanut butter for extra texture
- Swap in natural peanut butter for a more wholesome option
- Use different jams like raspberry or blueberry
- Add seeds or nuts to add a crunch to them
How to Make
Preheat your oven to 350°F and line your baking pan with parchment paper. This makes it easier to lift the bars out later without breaking them.
In a separate bowl, mix the flour, baking soda, and cornstarch. This helps the dry ingredients blend evenly so the bars bake consistently.
In a large bowl, mix the sugars, melted butter, peanut butter, and salt until smooth. You want a mixture without lumps so the texture stays even.
Add the eggs and vanilla, then mix until everything is combined. The dough should look smooth and slightly thick.
Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and stir just until combined. Don’t overmix here, or the bars can turn dense instead of soft.
Press about two-thirds of the dough into the pan, making sure it’s even across the bottom. Spread the jam gently over the surface so it reaches the edges.
Crumble the remaining dough over the top. It doesn’t need to look perfect. Those uneven pieces bake into a nice texture.
Bake for about 40 minutes, until the top is lightly golden. Let the bars cool completely before moving them to a cutting board and slicing.
Expert Tips
- Let the bars cool fully before slicing, so they hold together cleanly and don’t crumble.
- If your dough feels too soft, chill it for a few minutes before pressing it into the pan.
- Spread the jam gently so it doesn’t mix into the base layer.
- Use parchment paper with overhang so you can lift the bars out easily.
- For cleaner cuts, use a sharp knife and wipe it between slices.
Frequently Asked Questions
How should I store these jelly bars?
Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. You can also refrigerate them to keep them fresh longer.
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Yes, these bars are great for making ahead. Bake them a day before and keep them covered until ready to serve.
Can I freeze these bars?
Yes, wrap them tightly and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature before eating.
Are these good for quick snacks?
Yes, they work well as natural energy bars or breakfast bars when you need fast energy during the day.
Take a look at the photos and links below for more Bar recipes, or follow this link for some Brownies and bars recipes
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And if you make this Peanut Butter and Jelly Bars recipe, please be sure to give it a star rating and leave a comment below!
Peanut Butter and Jelly Bars
Ingredients
- 2 Cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 Tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 Cup brown sugar tightly packed
- 1/4 Cup granulated sugar
- 1 1/4 Cup creamy peanut butter
- 3/4 Cups unsalted butter melted and cooled
- 1 teaspoon coarse salt
- 2 large eggs room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 Cup strawberry jam
Instructions
- Pre-heat oven to 350 F and line the bottom and sides of a 9×13 in baking pan with parchment paper
- In a separate bowl, mix flour, baking soda and cornstarch and set aside2 Cups (250 g) all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoons baking soda, 1 Tablespoon cornstarch
- In a mixing bowl, mix sugars, butter, peanut butter and salt, until no lumps are visible. Whisk in eggs and vanilla and mix.1 Cup (220 g) brown sugar, 1/4 Cup (50 g) granulated sugar, 1 1/4 Cup (322.5 g) creamy peanut butter, 3/4 Cups (170.3 g) unsalted butter, 1 teaspoon coarse salt, 2 large eggs, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Mix in your dry ingredients until just combined. Do not over mix!*
- Spread 2/3 of the dough into the prepared pan, pressing with a rubber spatula until even. Spread evenly the strawberry jam on top. Crumble the remaining dough with your fingers on top of the jam1 1/2 Cup (510 g) strawberry jam
- Bake for 40 minutes, or until lightly golden. Remove from the oven and let cool completely. Cut in evenly sized triangles and enjoy!
Notes
Expert Tips
- Let the bars cool fully before slicing, so they hold together cleanly and don’t crumble.
- If your dough feels too soft, chill it for a few minutes before pressing it into the pan.
- Spread the jam gently so it doesn’t mix into the base layer.
- Use parchment paper with overhang so you can lift the bars out easily.
- For cleaner cuts, use a sharp knife and wipe it between slices.
