Sweet Symphony: Ina Garten’s Soft Peanut Butter And Jelly Bars Recipe

Dessert lovers, get ready for a nostalgic twist on a childhood classic with Ina Garten’s peanut butter and jelly bars that will transport you straight back to lunchbox memories.

These irresistible bars blend the perfect balance of sweet and salty flavors in every delectable bite.

The recipe captures the essence of comfort and simplicity, combining two beloved ingredients into a single, mouthwatering treat.

Soft, buttery layers meld together with rich peanut butter and vibrant jelly, creating a dessert that feels both familiar and extraordinary.

Perfectly golden and crumbly, these bars offer a delightful texture that melts in your mouth.

The combination of homemade goodness and nostalgic flavors makes this recipe a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

Grab your apron and get ready to bake a dessert that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Total Time: 55 minutes

Calories: 371 kcal

Servings: 16

Gather Ingredients for PB&J Bars by Ina Garten

• Butter: Provides rich, creamy flavor and helps create a tender, moist texture for the bars.
• Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a golden, crispy exterior when baked.
• Peanut Butter: Delivers intense nutty flavor and creamy consistency that defines the bar's core taste.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients together and contribute to the bar's soft, cake-like structure.
• Vanilla: Enhances overall flavor profile with its warm, aromatic essence.

• Flour: Creates structural foundation and gives the bars their classic crumbly texture.
• Baking Powder: Ensures light, fluffy rise and prevents dense, heavy consistency.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and intensifies other flavor notes in the recipe.

• Jam: Provides sweet, fruity burst of flavor and creates beautiful marbled effect.
• Peanuts: Adds delightful crunch and extra nutty dimension to the bars' texture.

Tools That Make Ina Garten’s PB&J Bars Easy

• Electric Mixer with Paddle Attachment: Essential for creaming butter and sugar, and mixing dough smoothly.
• 9×13-inch Cake Pan: Perfect size for baking these delightful bars.
• Knife or Angled Spatula: Helps spread dough evenly in the pan.
• Small Bowl: Used for sifting dry ingredients.
• Sifter or Strainer: Ensures flour mixture is lump-free.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Accurate ingredient measurements.
• Parchment Paper (optional): Helps with easy removal of bars.

Follow These Steps for PB&J Bars at Home

• Preparation Station

Get your kitchen ready with all the tools and ingredients you’ll need for these delightful bars. Warm up the oven to a cozy 350 degrees.

• Baking Canvas

Grab a 9×13 inch pan and give it a generous coating of butter, then dust with flour to ensure nothing sticks.

• Creamy Base

In a mixer, blend butter and sugar until they transform into a soft, pale yellow cloud. Gently fold in peanut butter, eggs, and vanilla, creating a smooth and luxurious mixture.

• Dry Magic

Combine flour, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl. Softly integrate these dry ingredients into your creamy base, mixing just until everything comes together.

• Layer Love

Spread two-thirds of the dough across the pan’s bottom. Dollop jam generously, then crumble remaining dough on top. Sprinkle chopped peanuts for a delightful crunch. Bake for 45 minutes until the top turns a gorgeous golden brown. Let cool completely before slicing into irresistible squares.

Fun Variations for Peanut Butter Jelly Bars

• Experiment with different fruit preserves like raspberry, strawberry, or grape for unique flavor profiles that complement the rich peanut butter base.
• Replace chopped peanuts with sliced almonds, crushed pecans, or toasted walnuts to add extra crunch and depth to your bars.
• Prepare the dough up to two days in advance and store it wrapped in plastic in the refrigerator for a quick and easy dessert when needed.
• Substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend to make these bars accessible for those with dietary restrictions.
• After cooling, add a light drizzle of melted chocolate or a simple powdered sugar glaze to elevate the visual appeal and add an extra layer of sweetness.

Serve PB&J Bars the Ina Way

• Serve as Afternoon Snack Delight: These bars make a perfect companion for your midday break, offering a nostalgic twist on the classic PB&J sandwich that brings comfort and joy.
• Create Dessert Platter Centerpiece: Arrange the bars on a rustic wooden board with fresh berries, chocolate chips, and a dusting of powdered sugar to elevate the presentation for gatherings.
• Pack as Lunchbox Treat: Wrap individual squares in parchment paper for a delightful surprise in kids' lunch boxes or as a sweet pick-me-up during work breaks.
• Pair with Cool Beverages: Complement the rich, sweet bars with cold milk, vanilla milkshake, or iced coffee to balance the flavors and enhance the overall tasting experience.

Store Leftovers of Ina Garten’s PB&J Bars

• Refrigerate Wisely: Store bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. The cool environment helps maintain their soft texture and prevents jam from becoming too runny.
• Freeze for Later: Wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. They'll stay delicious for 2-3 months. Thaw at room temperature for about 30 minutes before enjoying.
• Prep-Ahead Strategy: Bake the bars a day before serving to let flavors meld together. The peanut butter and jam will create a more intense, rich taste when allowed to rest overnight.
• Room Temperature Tips: Keep bars at room temperature for up to 2 days if you're planning to serve them quickly. Place them on a plate covered with plastic wrap to prevent drying out.

Indulgent Ina Garten Peanut Butter And Jelly Bars Recipe

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4.6 from 19 reviews

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

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Description

Ina Garten’s peanut butter and jelly bars combine childhood nostalgia with gourmet sophistication. Buttery shortbread crust, creamy peanut butter filling, and sweet raspberry jam create a delightful dessert you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 cups (18 oz / 510 g) creamy peanut butter
• ½ lb (2 sticks / 227 g) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 3 cups (375 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ cups (300 g) sugar
• 2 extra-large eggs, at room temperature
• 1 ½ cups (18 oz / 510 g) raspberry jam or other jam
• ⅔ cups (90 g) salted peanuts, coarsely chopped
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 ½ tsp kosher salt

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) with the rack positioned centrally for uniform heat distribution. Generously butter and flour a 9x13x2-inch baking pan to prevent adhesion.
2. Mixing Base: Using an electric mixer with a paddle attachment, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Gradually incorporate peanut butter, eggs, and vanilla extract on low speed, ensuring smooth integration.
3. Dry Ingredient Incorporation: Sift flour, baking powder, and salt together. Fold these dry components into the wet mixture gently, avoiding overmixing to maintain a tender texture.
4. Layer Construction: Spread approximately two-thirds of the dough evenly across the prepared pan’s bottom. Loosen the jam by stirring, then distribute it uniformly over the base layer.
5. Topping Application: Crumble the remaining dough over the jam, creating a rustic, loose coverage. Sprinkle chopped peanuts across the surface for added crunch and nutty flavor.
6. Baking Process: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 45 minutes. Look for a golden-brown top and test doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should emerge clean.
7. Cooling and Serving: Allow the dessert to cool completely within the pan before slicing into generous square portions, ensuring clean, neat cuts.

Notes

• Prevent Sticking Smartly: Butter and flour the pan meticulously to guarantee easy bar removal and perfect presentation.
• Mix Mindfully: Cream butter and sugar until pale and fluffy, avoiding overmixing to maintain a tender, delicate texture.
• Layer Strategically: Spread two-thirds of dough as a base, ensuring even coverage for consistent baking and optimal jam distribution.
• Cool Completely: Let bars cool entirely in the pan to set properly, allowing flavors to meld and structure to stabilize before cutting into squares.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 16
• Calories: 371
• Sugar: 19 g
• Sodium: 172 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 9 g
• Cholesterol: 49 mg