Ina Garten’s Soft Peanut Butter And Jelly Bars Recipe

Peanut butter and jelly bars bring nostalgic memories flooding back with their comforting sweetness and childhood charm.

These classic treats transform a beloved sandwich into a delightful dessert that transcends age boundaries.

Soft, crumbly layers meld together in a harmonious dance of rich, nutty flavors and vibrant fruity notes.

Homemade goodness radiates from each carefully crafted square, promising a delectable experience that feels both familiar and extraordinary.

Buttery, tender textures create a perfect canvas for the luscious jam swirls and crunchy peanut accents.

Sweet and salty elements intertwine, creating a complex flavor profile that satisfies sophisticated palates.

The mere aroma of these bars can transport you to warm kitchen memories and carefree moments: Get ready to indulge in pure, nostalgic bliss!

What Makes Peanut Butter and Jelly Bars Irresistible

• Indulge in Nostalgic Comfort: These bars capture the classic childhood sandwich flavor in a delightful dessert form, bringing back warm memories with every bite.
• Quick and Simple Baking Adventure: Requiring minimal technical skills, the recipe offers an easy mixing method that transforms basic ingredients into a crowd-pleasing treat in under an hour.
• Texture Party in Your Mouth: Combining soft, crumbly cake-like base with smooth jam and crunchy peanut topping creates an exciting multi-dimensional eating experience that keeps taste buds intrigued.
• Crowd-Pleasing Potluck Star: Perfect for casual gatherings, picnics, or after-school snacks, these bars appeal to both kids and adults with their familiar and irresistible flavor combination.

What You’ll Need for These Gooey Bars

Main Ingredients:

• Unsalted Butter: Provides rich, creamy base for the bar and helps create tender texture.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the dessert and helps create golden, crisp edges.
• Peanut Butter: Delivers classic nutty flavor and smooth consistency to the bars.
• Large Eggs: Binds ingredients together and adds structure to the baked dessert.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor and adds depth to the sweet treat.

• All-Purpose Flour: Creates structure and provides base for the bar's texture.
• Baking Powder: Helps the bars rise and creates light, tender crumb.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and heightens overall flavor profile.

• Strawberry Jam, Raspberry Jam: Adds fruity, sweet layer between peanut butter dough.
• Chopped Peanuts: Provides crunchy texture and additional nutty flavor on top of bars.

Bake the Bars the Ina Garten Way

Step 1: Prepare the Oven

Warm up your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Get ready for some delicious baking magic!

Step 2: Prepare the Baking Pan

• Butter
• Flour

Make sure every corner is well-greased to prevent sticking.

Step 3: Create the Creamy Base

• Softened butter
• Sugar

• Creamy peanut butter
• Eggs
• Vanilla extract

Mix on low speed until everything blends smoothly.

Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients

• All-purpose flour
• Baking powder
• Salt

Gradually add these dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed. Stir just until combined – don’t overmix!

Step 5: Layer and Assemble

Pour about two-thirds of the dough into the prepared pan. Spread evenly using a spatula or knife. Dollop your favorite jam across the surface, spreading it gently. Crumble the remaining dough on top, creating a rustic, uneven layer. Sprinkle with chopped peanuts for extra crunch.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Slide the pan into the preheated oven. Bake for 45 minutes, or until the top turns a beautiful golden brown. The edges should look slightly crisp and the center set.

Step 7: Cool and Slice

Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan. Once cooled, cut into square portions. Serve and enjoy your homemade treat!

Pro Tip: These bars taste even better the next day, so don’t hesitate to make them in advance!

Tips for Bar Cookies That Don’t Crumble

• Smooth Peanut Butter Matters: Choose creamy peanut butter to guarantee a silky, uniform texture that blends perfectly into the bar's base and creates a consistent mouthfeel.
• Jam Distribution Technique: Carefully spread jam evenly across the surface to ensure each bite delivers a balanced sweet-tangy flavor without overwhelming sugar concentrations.
• Cooling is Crucial: Let bars cool completely at room temperature to set the structure, which helps them hold together when slicing and prevents crumbly, messy pieces.
• Sugar Sweet Spot: Taste and adjust sugar levels subtly to maintain the recipe's delicate balance, keeping the bars tender and flavorful without becoming overly sweet.
• Playful Butter Swaps: Try alternative nut or seed butters like almond or sunflower seed butter to create exciting variations while preserving the classic PB&J spirit.

Storage Tips for Peanut Butter & Jelly Goodness

• Airtight Container Method: Seal cooled bars in a sturdy container with a tight-fitting lid, layering parchment paper between each row to prevent sticking. Keep bars at room temperature for maximum flavor preservation and texture maintenance.
• Freezing Method: Individually wrap each bar in plastic wrap, ensuring no air pockets remain. Place wrapped bars in a freezer-safe container or heavy-duty zip-lock bag, removing as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn.
• Refrigeration Method: When storing bars for extended freshness, place in a sealed container in the refrigerator. Bring to room temperature before serving to restore original soft texture and rich flavor profile.

PB&J Bar Variations You’ll Want to Try

• Chocolate Chip Comfort: Replace jam with chocolate chips and drizzle melted chocolate on top for a rich, indulgent version that chocolate lovers will adore.
• Almond Fruit Fusion: Swap peanut butter with almond butter and use raspberry preserves instead of traditional jam, then sprinkle sliced almonds on top for extra crunch.
• Banana Nutty Delight: Mix mashed ripe bananas into the base dough and use banana jam or preserves, topping with crushed walnuts for a unique, fruity spin on the classic recipe.
• Coconut Tropical Treat: Incorporate shredded coconut into the dough, use tropical fruit preserves like mango or passion fruit, and garnish with toasted coconut flakes for a vibrant, island-inspired bar.

Sweet Conclusion to This Classic Treat

Classic Ina Garten peanut butter and jelly bars offer nostalgic comfort with gourmet sophistication.

Her signature recipe elevates childhood memories through professional baking techniques.

Homemade bars meld sweet jam with rich peanut butter in elegant rectangular slices.

Complex flavor profiles dance between creamy textures and nutty crunch.

Professional bakers can recreate this sensational dessert with simple ingredients and precise measurements.

Passionate dessert enthusiasts will savor each delectable square – share this recipe, comment below, and spread delicious inspiration across social media platforms!

Ina Garten Peanut Butter And Jelly Bars Recipe

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4.8 from 26 reviews

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 16 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s peanut butter and jelly bars blend childhood nostalgia with sophisticated baking charm. Rich homemade shortbread crust cradles sweet raspberry jam and creamy peanut butter, promising delightful memories in each delectable square.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 2 cups (18 ounces / 510 grams) creamy peanut butter
• 3 cups (375 grams) all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ cups (300 grams) sugar

Wet Ingredients:

• ½ pound (2 sticks / 227 grams) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 2 extra-large eggs, at room temperature
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Finishing Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups (18 ounces / 510 grams) raspberry jam or other jam
• ⅔ cups (90 grams) salted peanuts, coarsely chopped
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt

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Instructions

1. Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C), ensuring the rack is positioned in the center for even baking.
2. Thoroughly coat a 9x13x2-inch (23x33x5 cm) baking pan with butter, then dust with flour, ensuring complete coverage to prevent sticking.
3. In an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream butter and sugar together at medium speed until the mixture transforms into a pale, fluffy consistency, approximately 2 minutes. Gradually incorporate peanut butter, eggs, and vanilla extract while mixing on low speed until well combined.
4. Sift flour, baking powder, and salt into a separate bowl to eliminate any lumps. Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture using low-speed mixing, being careful not to overmix.
5. Transfer approximately two-thirds of the dough into the prepared pan, using an offset spatula to create an even layer across the bottom.
6. Stir the jam to loosen its consistency, then carefully spread it evenly over the base layer of dough.
7. Crumble the remaining dough into small pieces and distribute them loosely over the jam, ensuring most of the jam is covered. The dough will naturally spread during baking.
8. Sprinkle chopped peanuts across the top of the dough for added texture and flavor.
9. Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes, or until the top turns a golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
10. Allow the dessert to cool completely in the pan before cutting into square servings.

Notes

• Swap traditional peanut butter with almond or cashew butter for a nutty twist that elevates the classic bar’s flavor profile.
• Line your baking pan with parchment paper to ensure effortless removal and clean cutting of the bars.
• Refrigerate the bars for 30 minutes after cooling to help them firm up and slice more precisely.
• Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, separating layers with wax paper to prevent sticking.
• Check jam consistency before spreading to guarantee smooth, even coverage across the entire bar surface.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 16
• Calories: 503 kcal
• Sugar: 36 g
• Sodium: 370 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 63 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 10 g
• Cholesterol: 50 mg