These peanut butter and jelly bars are a sweet and salty dessert that is surprisingly easy to make! You only need one bowl and 8 ingredients to make this tasty treat!

peanut butter and jelly bars
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Ingredients & Substitutions

  • Brown sugar: This adds sweetness, moisture, and a rich, caramel-like flavor to the blondies.
  • Creamy peanut butter: Peanut butter provides both flavor and healthy fat to the blondies. It also adds a subtle nutty taste. You can use almond butter or any other nut or seed butter as a substitute.
  • Avocado oil: Avocado oil adds moisture and a slight coconut flavor to the blondies. You can substitute it with melted coconut oil or vegetable oil.
  • Flour: All-purpose flour acts as the main dry ingredient in these blondies. If you’re looking for a gluten-free option, try my vegan peanut butter blondies instead.
  • Baking powder: Baking powder is a leavening agent that helps the blondies rise and become light and fluffy.
  • Salt: Salt enhances the flavor of the blondies and balances the sweetness.
  • Almond milk: Almond milk serves as a liquid component in the recipe, adding moisture to the blondies. You can replace it with any other plant-based milk, such as soy milk, oat milk, or coconut milk.
  • Vanilla extract: Vanilla extract enhances the flavor of the blondies.
  • Jam: I used strawberry jam, but any flavor works great!

How to Make PB&J Blondies

In a large bowl, combine brown sugar, peanut butter, and oil. Beat using a handheld electric mixer (or stand mixer) on low until smooth.
Add in vanilla extract and milk and blend until smooth.
Stir in the flour, baking powder, and salt until well combined.
Pour into prepared baking pan and flatten into the corners.
Make slight indentations in batter and fill with jam.
Using a knife, draw through the wells of jam and drag to create swirls.
Bake for 30-35 minutes until lightly browned around the edges and firm in the center. Bake longer for a more cake-like blondie and less time for something more fudge-like.
Allow to cool completely before removing from pan and cutting into squares.

Mix-In Ideas

I love the combination of peanut butter and jam for a PB&J taste, but feel free to get creative! Instead of jam, try chopped walnuts or almonds, dried cranberries, toffee bits, coconut flakes, caramel swirls, crushed cookies, nut butter swirls, marshmallows, salted pretzels, coffee or espresso powder, or even a combination of these for unique flavor and texture variations.

PB&J Blondies

How to Store Leftovers

To store leftover blondies, first allow them to cool completely at room temperature. Store at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days or in the refrigerator for up to a week. For longer storage, wrap bars in plastic wrap and freeze the blondies in an airtight container or freezer bags for 2-3 months. Keep in mind that these bars are best enjoyed within a few days for the freshest taste and texture.

Print
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peanut butter and jelly bars

Peanut Butter and Jelly Bars

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 4 reviews
  • Author: Liz Thomson
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 16 bars 1x
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Oven
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegan
Print Recipe

Description

These peanut butter and jelly bars are a sweet and salty dessert that is surprisingly easy to make! You only need one bowl and 8 ingredients to make this tasty treat!

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
  • 3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
  • 1/4 cup avocado oil
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/3 cup strawberry jam

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Line an 8” x 8” baking pan with crossing layers of baking parchment or spray with non-stick spray.
  3. In a large bowl, combine brown sugar, peanut butter, and oil. Beat using a handheld electric mixer (or stand mixer) on low until smooth.
  4. Add in vanilla extract and milk and blend until smooth.
  5. Stir in the flour, baking powder, and salt until well combined.
  6. Pour into prepared baking pan and flatten into the corners.
  7. Make slight indentations in batter and fill with jam. Using a knife, draw through the wells of jam and drag to create swirls.
  8. Bake for 30-35 minutes until lightly browned around the edges and firm in the center. Bake longer for a more cake-like blondie and less time for something more fudge-like.
  9. Allow to cool completely before removing from pan and cutting into squares.