If Monkey Boy had to pick an after school snack to eat for the rest of his life, he’d probably choose these. He gobbles them up so fast, I have to hide them or he’d make himself sick. The rest of the fam likes them too, but we have to act fast or they’re gone! I don’t mind though because these are simple to make and a healthier alternative to cookies.
Peanut Butter and Jelly Bars
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups rolled oats
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup lightly packed brown sugar
- 1/2 cup butter (, melted)
- 3/4 cup peanut butter
- 1/3 cup raspberry jam
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 F. Line an 8-inch square baking dish with parchment paper {make sure the parchment paper overflows the dish}.
- In a large mixing bowl, stir together the oats, flour, and brown sugar. Stir in the melted butter and peanut butter. Press the oat mixture into the prepared baking dish, reserving a 1/2 cup for later. Spoon jam across the top of the oat mixture. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of oat mixture over the jam.
- Bake for 20-30 minutes, or until slightly browned and firm. Cool completely, at least 1 hour, before cutting into squares.
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Rosaleen says
These look yummy. We have a diabetic family member, so I might try this recipe with some modifications. Mix up the oats and flour to cut the carbs by using a combination of oats, flax, and coconut flour. Substitute the brown sugar with Splenda with a little molasses, use sugar free all-fruit spread, and maybe even switch the butter for coconut oil or a combination of butter and coconut oil. It is too bad that we can’t try my modified version side-by-side with yours, Mavis!
Randi says
Rosaleen. Is love to know how your diabetic friendly version works. We have a family member woho would appreciate it!
Cecily says
These sound absolutely delicious and indulgent! I’m not sure I’d call them healthier than other cookies though. Based on the ingredients, that pan of cookies contains the same amount of calories as three regular packages of Oreos!
Shannon says
Highly caloric, yes, but these are almost entirely whole grain, have way less sugar, and are made with real ingredients that you can pronounce. A much more nourishing way to consume lots of calories!
Cecily says
Yes, they are about 50% whole grain, have ingredients you can pronounce and more than 82 grams of protein. But they also contain 156 grams of fat and 139 grams of sugar besides the over 3500 calories. I bet they are a wonderful treat, just not nessasarily a healthier alternative to cookies.
Lisa says
My very own Monkey Boy (only we call him “Tech Monkey,” and one of the dogs (yes, we have our dogs talk!) calls him “Uncle Monkey”) was just asking what’s for dessert, and I didn’t make anything! Now I know what it will be. It won’t be the first time I tell him “I got this recipe from Mavis!”
I’ll use seedless blackberry jam though, he hates the seeds in raspberries. I don’t know what he’ll do this summer when my tay berries are producing for the first time!
Mavis Butterfield says
🙂 These bars are super yummy and I know they’ll be great with blackberry jam. 🙂
Jules says
Peanut butter again!! Woohoo!! Mavis, you are the best!
I’ll be making these this week for myself … we’ll see if the kids are good enough to have some …
Mavis Butterfield says
Ha!
Barbara Johnson says
These were a hit with my boys tonight. Easy and quick, we had all the ingredients on hand. They did turn out a little crumbly as we bit into them (which did not take away from the fabulously pbj taste). I’m just wondering if you had a suggestion to prevent that next time? Maybe I didn’t pack it into the pan tight enough or because we use natural peanut butter? Thanks for another great recipe!
Mavis Butterfield says
Hi Barbara, I used Skippy so I wonder if that is the reason.
Charlene says
These were amazing. I made them with some of the home made strawberry jam I made this spring. Thanks for both recipes!
Michelle says
Making these right now with chia jam. Thanks!
Rebecca says
Thanks so much for this recipe. I have all the ingredients on hand and will be making them for my grandsons’ visit (they LOVE peanut butter and jelly).