Peanut Butter and Jelly Bars

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When pomegranates are in season, Peanut Butter and Jelly Bars are a delicious dessert that your family will absolutely love!

Peanut Butter and Jelly Bars on a white serving platter

Peanut Butter and Jelly Bars | Pomegranate Jelly!

Peanut Butter and Jelly Bars are, simply put, like a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, but in a dessert form! You make a peanut butter cookie dough, press it into the bottom of a square pan, top it with some pomegranate jelly and then sprinkle on the last of the cookie dough. The hardest part would be making the jelly–but honestly,  it only takes 4 ingredients and maybe 5 minutes to cook. Super simple and festive for the season! So, next time pomegranates go on sale, give these a try! They make a delicious treat that everyone will gobble up!

Love PB Cookies? Check these out: Peanut Butter Blossoms, Peanut Butter Thumbprint Cookies, Peanut Butter Toffee Cookies, Peanut Butter Caramel Cookies, and Reese’s Pieces Cookies.

Main Ingredients Needed

Start out this recipe by gathering up these ingredients. Here is everything you’ll need for Peanut Butter and Jelly Bars:

  • Butter – for flavor and moisture.
  • Peanut Butter – I used smooth process peanut butter (brands like Jif or Skippy) but feel free to use chunky if you like that extra crunch.
  • Granulated + Brown Sugar – both are used to sweeten.
  • Egg – for structure and texture.
  • Vanilla – for flavor
    Salt –
    to enhance and balance flavors.
  • Baking Powder – for rise.
  • Flour – to fill out the cookie dough mixture.

For the Pomegranate Jelly

  • Granulated Sugar – to sweeten the tart pomegranate.
  • Cornstarch – this is used to thicken and add structure to the jelly.
  • Cold Water – this dissolved the sugar and cornstarch to better incorporate into the pomegranate arils.
  • Pomegranate Arils – these are the seeds found within pomegranates. Don’t worry though, we strain out the seed parts and only keep the juices.

How to Make Peanut Butter and Jelly Bars

For full details on how to make these Peanut Butter and Jelly Bars, see the recipe card down below 🙂

Step 1: Make Pomegranate Jelly

In a medium saucepan, stir together sugar and cornstarch. Whisk in cold water until smooth.

Stir in pomegranate arils and place over medium heat. Use a potato masher to break arils while heating. This should take around 5 minutes. Bring mixture to a boil to thicken.

Remove from heat and strain jelly to make it seedless. Set aside to cool. As the jelly cools, it should thicken more.

Step 2: Preheat + Prep

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly spray 8×8 glass baking dish with nonstick cooking spray, set aside.

Step 3: Make Cookie Dough

Whip butter and peanut butter together until smooth. Stir in sugar and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Mix in egg and vanilla. Slowly incorporate all dry ingredients and stir until just combined.

Step 4: Layer

Press 2/3 of the mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan. Top with cooled pomegranate jelly. Break up the remaining 1/3 of peanut butter dough into small pieces and sprinkle evenly to top the bars.

Step 5: Bake + Cool

Bake for 35 minutes or until the top has browned lightly. Remove and cool completely before serving.

Happy Weekend!

Peanut Butter Jelly Bars
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Peanut Butter and Jelly Bars

When pomegranates are in season, Peanut Butter and Jelly Bars are a delicious dessert that your family will absolutely love!
servings 12 bars
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes

Ingredients

For the pomegranate jelly-

  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup cornstarch
  • 1/2 cup cold water
  • 3 cups pomegranate arils

Instructions

For the pomegranate jelly:

  • In a medium saucepan, stir together sugar and cornstarch. Whisk in cold water until smooth.
  • Stir in pomegranate arils and place over medium heat. Use a potato masher to break arils while heating. This should take around 5 minutes. Bring mixture to a boil to thicken.
  • Remove from heat and strain jelly to make it seedless. Set aside to cool. As the jelly cools, it should thicken more.

To make the bars:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly spray 8×8 glass baking dish with nonstick cooking spray, set aside.
  • Whip butter and peanut butter together until smooth. Stir in sugar and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Mix in egg and vanilla. Slowly incorporate all dry ingredients and stir until just combined.
  • Press 2/3 of the mixture into the bottom of a greased 8×8 square pan. Top with cooled pomegranate jelly. Break up the remaining 1/3 of peanut butter dough into small pieces and sprinkle evenly to top the bars.
  • Bake for 35 minutes or until the top has browned lightly. Remove and cool completely before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 314kcal | Carbohydrates: 53g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 24mg | Sodium: 145mg | Potassium: 237mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 32g | Vitamin A: 138IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 26mg | Iron: 1mg
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: peanut butter and jelly bars

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