Peanut Butter and Jelly Bars

Name: Peanut Butter and Jelly Bars
Prep time: 20 min
Total time: 2 h 30 min
Yield: 18 (3-by-1-1/2-inch) bars
Ingredients: 1 cup all-purpose flour, plus more as needed; 1 cup quick-cooking oats; 1/3 cup packed light brown sugar; 1/3 cup granulated sugar; 1/2 teaspoon fine salt; 1/4 teaspoon baking soda; 1/2 cup chunky all-natural peanut butter (no salt or sugar added); 10 tablespoons unsalted butter (1 1/4 sticks), cut into small pieces and at room temperature, plus more as needed; 1 cup chunky strawberry jam

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18 (3-by-1-1/2-inch) bars Easy

Total: 1 hr, plus 1 hr 30 mins cooling time

2 Ratings

Ingredients (9)

1 cup all-purpose flour, plus more as needed
1 cup quick-cooking oats
1/3 cup packed light brown sugar
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon fine salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup chunky all-natural peanut butter (no salt or sugar added)
10 tablespoons unsalted butter (1 1/4 sticks), cut into small pieces and at room temperature, plus more as needed
1 cup chunky strawberry jam

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Nutritional Information

Calories237
Fat10.76g
Saturated fat4.91g
Trans fat0.26g
Carbs32.41g
Fiber1.66g
Sugar16.92g
Protein3.91g
Cholesterol16.96mg
Sodium91.26mg
Nutritional Analysis per serving (18 servings) Powered by

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The classic combo of peanut butter and jelly tastes great in a sandwich, so why not baked into a chewy bar cookie for dessert? Mix rolled oats and chunky peanut butter into a crumble that does double duty as both the bottom crust and a sweet, nutty topping. In between, spread a thick layer of chunky strawberry jam that’ll bake into a bubbly, fruity filling. These sweet comfort-food bars are perfect to wrap up for a lunch box treat or stow in a picnic basket.

See more bar cookie recipes from CHOW.

by Lisa Lavery

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Instructions

1Heat the oven to 350°F and arrange a rack in the middle. Coat a 9-by-9-inch metal baking pan with butter, then flour, tapping out any excess flour; set aside.
2Place the measured flour, oats, sugars, salt, and baking soda in a large bowl and whisk to combine. Add the peanut butter and, using your fingers, squeeze the oat mixture and peanut butter together until evenly combined. Scatter the measured butter pieces over the mixture and, using your fingers, squeeze the peanut butter–oat mixture and butter together until evenly combined and no large pieces of butter remain.
3Place two-thirds of the mixture into the prepared pan and, using a measuring cup dipped in flour, press it firmly and evenly into the bottom; set the remaining mixture aside. Bake until the edges start to brown, about 15 minutes.
4Remove the pan from the oven to a wire rack. Dollop the jam over the crust and spread into an even layer, taking care not to disturb the crust. Crumble the reserved oat mixture into pieces about the size of almonds and evenly sprinkle it over the jam. Return the pan to the oven and bake until the jam is bubbling and the topping is golden brown, about 20 to 25 minutes more.
5Remove the pan to the wire rack and let it cool completely, about 1 1/2 hours. Cut into 18 (3-by-1-1/2-inch) bars.

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