Do you love classic comfort food? The Ina Garten Peanut Butter And Jelly Bars Recipe is perfect. This Ina Garten Peanut Butter And Jelly Bars Recipe tastes like childhood.
It is a simple treat for everyone. You will love making this Ina Garten Peanut Butter And Jelly Bars Recipe today.
What Makes This Recipe Special
These bars are very delicious. They have a salty and sweet flavor. The bottom layer is a thick peanut butter shortbread. The top is crunchy and buttery.
The texture is soft but also firm. It feels like a gourmet cookie in bar form. You only need a few basic pantry items.
It takes about one hour to finish. The prep work is very fast. Even new bakers can do this easily. It is a foolproof recipe for any day.
Equipment List
- Electric Mixer: Use this to cream the butter and sugar. It makes the dough very light and fluffy.
- Large Bowl: You need this to mix all ingredients together. It keeps your kitchen counter very clean.
- Measuring Cups: These help you get the right amounts. Baking requires very exact measurements for success.
- Sheet Pan: This holds the bars while they bake. A 9 by 13 inch pan works best.
- Parchment Paper: Line your pan with this paper. It stops the bars from sticking to the bottom.
- Rubber Spatula: Use this to spread the jam evenly. It helps reach the corners of the pan.
Ingredients You Need for Ina Garten Peanut Butter And Jelly Bars Recipe
- Unsalted Butter: This provides a rich and creamy base. Make sure it is at room temperature.
- Granulated Sugar: This makes the bars sweet and crisp. It blends well with the butter.
- Creamy Peanut Butter: This is the star of the show. It adds a deep nut flavor.
- Large Eggs: They act as a binder for the dough. This keeps the bars from falling apart.
- Vanilla Extract: This adds a warm and sweet scent. It improves the flavor of the peanut butter.
- All-Purpose Flour: This gives the bars their structure. It holds everything together perfectly.
- Baking Powder: This helps the dough rise slightly. It makes the texture very tender.
- Kosher Salt: A little salt balances the sweet sugar. It makes the peanut butter taste better.
- Raspberry Jam: This is the classic jelly filling. You can also use grape or strawberry jam.
- Salted Peanuts: These add a great crunch to the top. They make the bars look very professional.
How to Assemble
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees now. Grease your rectangular baking pan very well. Line it with some parchment paper too.
- Cream the butter and sugar together. Use your mixer on a medium speed. Do this until the mix is light.
- Add the peanut butter and vanilla. Then add your eggs one by one. Mix everything until the batter is smooth.
- Sift the flour and baking powder together. Add the salt to the dry mix. Slowly add this to the wet mix.
- Spread two-thirds of the dough in the pan. Use a spatula to make it flat. This is your bottom crust layer.
- Spread the jam over the bottom dough. Leave a small border around the edges. This keeps the jam from burning.
- Drop small bits of remaining dough on top. Sprinkle the chopped peanuts over the jam. These will turn golden and crunchy.
- Bake the bars for forty-five minutes. The top should look golden brown. Let them cool completely before you cut.
Recipe Success Tips
- Use room temperature butter for easy mixing.
- Do not overmix the dough after adding flour.
- Use high-quality jam for the best fruit flavor.
- Let bars cool fully to get clean cuts.
- Press the bottom layer down very firmly.
- Check the oven temperature with a thermometer.
- Use creamy peanut butter instead of natural styles.
- Toast the peanuts for a deeper nutty taste.
How To Store Leftover
- You can keep these bars at room temperature. Put them in an airtight plastic container. They stay fresh for about three days.
- For longer storage, put them in the fridge. They will last for one week there. You can also freeze them for two months. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap first.
Sides & Pairings Suggestions
- These bars are great with a cold glass of milk. The milk cuts through the rich peanut butter. You can also serve them with vanilla ice cream.
- This makes a very fancy dessert for guests. Some people enjoy them with a hot cup of coffee. The bitter coffee matches the sweet jam perfectly. It is a wonderful snack.
Nutritions
| Nutrient | Value |
| Calories | 380 kcal |
| Total Fat | 22g |
| Sugars | 28g |
| Protein | 7g |
| Carbohydrates | 42g |
FAQs about Ina Garten Peanut Butter And Jelly Bars Recipe
Q: Can I use chunky peanut butter?
A: Yes, you can use chunky peanut butter. It will add more texture to the bars. The flavor remains exactly the same.
Q: What is the best jam to use?
A: Ina Garten suggests using raspberry jam. It has a nice tartness. However, grape or strawberry jam also tastes great.
Q: Why are my bars falling apart?
A: You might be cutting them while they are hot. Let the bars cool completely in the pan. This helps the structure set.
Q: Can I skip the peanuts on top?
A: Yes, you can skip the extra peanuts. The bars will still taste very good. They will just have less crunch.
Final Thoughts
Making the Ina Garten Peanut Butter And Jelly Bars Recipe is fun. It is a treat that both kids and adults love.
These bars are great for school lunches or parties. You will find yourself making them very often. Try this easy baking project this weekend.
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Ina Garten Peanut Butter And Jelly Bars Recipe
Equipment
- Large Bowl
- Electric mixer
- Measuring Cups
- Sheet Pan
- Parchment paper
- Rubber spatula
Ingredients
- Unsalted Butter 225 g
- Sugar 1.5 Cups
- Vanilla Extract 1 Tsp
- Large Eggs 2
- Creamy Peanut Butter 2 Cups
- All-purpose Flour 3 Cups
- Baking Powder 1 Tsp
- Kosher Salt 1.5 Tsp
- Raspberry Jam 1.5 Cups
- Salted Peanuts 0.5 Cups
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees now. Grease your rectangular baking pan very well. Line it with some parchment paper too.
- Cream the butter and sugar together. Use your mixer on a medium speed. Do this until the mix is light.
- Add the peanut butter and vanilla. Then add your eggs one by one. Mix everything until the batter is smooth.
- Sift the flour and baking powder together. Add the salt to the dry mix. Slowly add this to the wet mix.
- Spread two-thirds of the dough in the pan. Use a spatula to make it flat. This is your bottom crust layer.
- Spread the jam over the bottom dough. Leave a small border around the edges. This keeps the jam from burning.
- Drop small bits of remaining dough on top. Sprinkle the chopped peanuts over the jam. These will turn golden and crunchy.
- Bake the bars for forty-five minutes. The top should look golden brown. Let them cool completely before you cut.
Notes
- Use room temperature butter for easy mixing.
- Do not overmix the dough after adding flour.
- Use high-quality jam for the best fruit flavor.
- Let bars cool fully to get clean cuts.
- Press the bottom layer down very firmly.
- Check the oven temperature with a thermometer.
- Use creamy peanut butter instead of natural styles.
- Toast the peanuts for a deeper nutty taste.
