Peanut Butter and Jelly Bars
A delightful blend of creamy peanut butter and sweet strawberry jam, these bars are perfect for snacks or dessert.
Ingredients
For the Bars
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened Ensure at room temperature for easy mixing.
- 1.5 cups sugar
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 2 cups creamy peanut butter You can use crunchy for added texture.
- 3 cups flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 2 cups strawberry jam Use high-quality for best flavor.
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper, leaving an overhang.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, creamy peanut butter, and sugar until light and fluffy (about 3-4 minutes).
- Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and baking powder, then gradually mix this into the wet ingredients until a dough forms.
- Press about 2/3 of the dough into the bottom of the prepared baking dish to form the base layer.
- Spread the strawberry jam evenly over the base layer, ensuring edges are clear.
- Crumble the remaining dough over the jam layer.
Baking
- Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the top is light golden brown.
- Allow to cool completely in the pan. Use the parchment overhang to lift out and cut into bars.
Notes
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to a week. They freeze well for up to three months.