I am not going to try to tell you these are an alternative to a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, you might have for lunch, but I won’t judge you either.  There’s nothing like taking a classic combination of salty peanut butter and sweet jam and changing it up a bit.  And of course, you know I have your back, with time-saving, crowd pleasing treats (Sugar Cookie Bars, Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Bars, and Rocky Road Cheesecake-No Bake) .  One pan and you can cut these however big or small you want.

And I know we have  been posting a lot of desserts lately, but I promise this week we will have a little more variety.  Desserts are just where my taste buds have taken me lately.  But we are getting back on track this week, seriously.  😉

Peanut Butter and Jelly Crumb Bars

Ingredients:

2 cups flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
3 Tbsp butter, softened
1/3 cup creamy peanut butter
3/4 cup sugar
1 large egg
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
2 tsp. water
1 1/2 cups fruit jelly

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 and coat a 9×13 baking dish with baking spray.

Mix together the butter, peanut butter and sugar.  Beat on medium speed until light in color and fluffy.  Beat in the egg and vanilla.  Reduce speed to low and gradually add the baking powder and flour.  Beat until incorporated; the dough will be crumbly.  Reserve 1 cup of mixture.

Press remaining peanut butter mixture into the bottom of prepared 9×13.  Bake 10 minutes.  Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes.  Give the jelly a good before spreading on the baked crust.  Spread jelly evenly.  Add 2 teaspoons of water to the reserved peanut butter dough.  Stir until soft crumbs form.  Scatter over the top of the jelly and bake about 15 minutes or until golden brown.

Remove from oven and cool completely on a wire rack; cut into squares.  Serve.