Peanut Butter & Jelly Bars

This is the sad time of year when kids have to go back to school. I feel for them. It's tough going from a fun-filled summer to being stuck in school all day. No more sleeping in. No more time at the pool. No more hanging out with your friends every day. No more ice cream novelties and riding your bike and playing in the sprinkler. No more staying up late and watching Nick at Nite.

No more going to the bathroom whenever you need to go.

Yeah, I said it. It was always a HUGE deal if you needed to use the restroom during class in grade/junior/high school. You got in trouble for it! I was always afraid to ask to go the bathroom. That is so, so wrong. If I ever have a kid and he or she gets in trouble for having to use the restroom during class, I'm going to barge my way in to that school and be a raging bitch to the teacher.

It's going to be tough adjustment for those poor kiddos. It's a stressful time of year for them. Quizzes, spelling bees, essays... they deserve a break every now and then. If I had kids going to school, I would be very nice to them and support them in any way I could.

I would also feed them talking shredded wheat for breakfast, and pack them a good lunch. Because everyone loved lunchtime! It was a time when you could relax, cut loose, and enjoy some Capri Sun, Funyuns and Nutty Bars.

My mom always packed me a good old pb&j. Oh yes, those were delicious. I love the combination of peanut butter and jelly. If you aren't aware of how to construct a pb&j sammich, please watch this helpful guide I found you:


Whaaaat?! You're supposed to wipe the knife clean before you dip it into the jelly? NO! I think not.



I once made a peanut butter & jelly bar by Ina Garten, but this was years ago. I remember them being very good, so I wanted to come up with my own recipe. The bars consist of three layers; a peanut butter cookie dough with crushed up crackers in it is baked, then topped with grape jelly. Then the remaining same dough is sort of crumbled up and sprinkled over the top for an interesting texture.

I hate to repeat myself, but these bars were pretty good, and I received rave reviews on them. Make them and pack them in your kid's lunch! He or she will be delighted, and also have energy to get through the rest of the monotonous day.

I like to use Smucker's grape jelly. It's cheap and good!





I baked these bars at Eric's apartment, and he was my assistant. It was a grueling job, sitting on the couch and watching poker, and then taking these out of the oven (using Christmas mitts) and sampling them, but he did just fine. I think I could use his assistance again in the future.

Peanut Butter & Jelly Bars (Recipe by Me)
Printable Recipe

1 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup finely ground buttery crackers
3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 1/4 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup grape jelly

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease an 8x8-inch baking dish or an 11x8-inch.

In a medium sized mixing bowl, sift together flour, baking soda and salt, whisk in cracker crumbs until combined.
In a large mixing bowl, using a mixer on medium speed, beat together peanut butter, butter and brown sugar until creamy, about 1-2 minutes; beat in eggs and vanilla until combined. Reduce mixer speed to low and beat in flour mixture until just combined. Evenly spread half of the cookie dough into prepared baking dish. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown around edges.

Remove dish from oven and evenly spread jelly over the surface. Dot the top evenly with remaining cookie dough. Return dish to oven and bake an additional 15 minutes or until golden brown.

Makes about 15 bars