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When it comes to sandwiches, good ‘ole peanut butter and jelly is the bees knees. Forget the ham & cheese, the Italian hoagie, the fancy schmancy turkey club…
In my sandwich world, nothing comes close to peanut butter & jelly.
My sister Sarah always begged for peanut butter & fluff when we were little… or as some call it… a fluffernutter!
Not me, a PB&J in some squishy white bread was always my jam. 
And so were hot dogs. Cut up hot dogs, hot dogs rolled in crescent rolls, smothered in ketchup, swimming in my mac n cheese… OBSESSED.
Moving right along…
This may come as a shock to most, but I truly love peanut butter and jelly MORE than peanut butter and chocolate. Don’t hate me. And please don’t leave!
There’s just something so comforting about the ubiquitous combination of peanut butter and jelly. Fruity, sweet, luscious jams paired with sticky, thick, creamy (or crunchy!) peanut butter. To me, it’s a duo that just cannot be beat.
And when you layer them in a cookie bar… and top it all with melty white chocolate chips and a brown sugar oat streusel?
HEAVEN.
I took my favorite peanut butter cookie recipe and used it as the base for these bars. I added some more peanut butter to make the cookie bar a bit denser so it held together underneath the layers.
While my cookie recipe calls for creamy peanut butter, I opted for the crunchy version in today’s bars. I wanted some texture in the bottom layer. I turned to my favvvvvvvorite crunchy PB ever. More often than not, you’ll find this jar in my hand with a spoon in the other hand. Love.
The peanut butter cookie layer is bursting with peanut butter flavor and crunchy peanut chunks. It’s sweet, but not overly so. I wanted the jam and the white chocolate chip streusel to really stand out as the sweeteners in each bite, so I reduced the sugar in cookie base. Feel free to add more or less – go by your tastebuds!
For the middle, I spread a thick layer of raspberry jam. I was going to use peach jam (my fave!), but I felt the raspberry jam gave these bars a pretty look and nice pop of color!
I’m a sucker for a cute baked good.
The final layer is a sprinkle of oats, brown sugar, and white chocolate chips. Enough said.
Streusel is my middle name, did you know?
Just kidding. Not really.
I love streusel anythinggggggg.
What I loved most about these bars is all of the different textures. The peanut butter cookie layer has peanut chunks, crumbly edges, but a chewy and soft interior that I absolutely loved. The juicy jam layer absorbs the brown sugar from the streusel, so each bite is sticky and gooey. And the melty white chocolate chips dotted on top bring it all together to make one unique, yet nostalgic treat.
…for all you kids at heart. 
Peanut Butter & Jelly Cookie Bars
makes 16 squares
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 and 1/4 cup crunchy peanut butter (or creamy)
- 1 egg
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 and 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1 cup raspberry jam
White Chocolate Streusel
- 2 Tbsp light brown sugar
- 1/4 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1/4 cup white chocolate chips
Preheat oven to 350F degrees. Line an 8×8 baking pan with parchment paper or spray generously with nonstick spray. Set aside.
In a small bowl, mix together the streusel ingredients and set aside.
In a large bowl, using a hand-held mixer or stand mixer with paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugars together on medium speed. Mix in the peanut butter, egg, and vanilla (in that order). Slowly mix in the baking powder, flour, salt, and cinnamon. Do not overmix.
Spoon peanut butter dough into prepare baking pan, spreading it into one even layer. Spread jam over top evenly. Top with prepared streusel.
Bake for 35-40 minutes or until golden brown. Mine took about 38 minutes. I topped mine with a few more white chocolate chips as they came out of the oven. Allow bars to cool completely before cutting into squares.
RECIPE SOURCE: SALLYSBAKINGADDICTION.COM
© Sally’s Baking Addiction. All images & content are copyright protected. Please do not use my images without prior permission. If you want to republish this recipe, please re-write the recipe in your own words, or link back to this post for the recipe.
PS: some related recipes for ya…
Soft-Baked Peanut Butter Lovers’ Cookies
Nutella Swirl Peanut Butter Banana Bread
Super-Chunk White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies
{ 56 comments… read them below or add one }
I love peanut butter and jelly! And especially love crunchy PB! Looks good Sally!
Aimee @ ShugarySweets recently posted..Peanut Butter Nutella Apple Nachos
crunchy PB is my favorite! love the chunks! I’d love it spread all over those nutella apple nachos…
We’re totally on the same wavelength! I have a post in my drafts…PB&J. I was going to publish it on Monday! Your bars look awesome…and your lighting is better
And your streusel topping with white choc looks and sounds so good!
Averie @ Averie Cooks recently posted..Thursday Things
Sometimes I truly think we are the same person, just on opposite sides of the states! can’t WAIT to see your recipe Averie!!
You had me at peanut butter and jelly…but then you add the white chocolate streusel topping? Amazing!
Colleen @ What’s Baking in the Barbershop?! recently posted..Visions of Pumpkins Dance in my Head…
lol! PBJ gets me everytime. the white chocolate was a pleasant afterthought!
This is like all of my favorite things in one! I’m definitely going to try these very very soon!
Ari @ Ari’s Menu recently posted..Cascal Natural Soft Drink Review + Giveaway
Let me know if/when you do try them, Ari. My favorite things too!
soooooooooooo trying that this weekend ! Thanks for brightening my week !
Mo recently posted..pear, honey & blue cheese pizza
I know you’ll love these, Mo!
White chocolate streusel topping? Hello that sounds awesome!!! I love that you admitted to liking a cute baked good. The raspberry jam gave it such a pretty pop of color…very cute indeed!!!
Jocelyn @BruCrew Life recently posted..Fiesta Chicken Salad
Yes Jocelyn… I must have my desserts be lookin’ pretty lol
So THAT’S what heaven looks like. Thick, chewy peanut buttery bars with swirls of juicy berry jam and WHITE CHOCOLATE STREUSEL. Are you forreal right now? These bars are unreal
and I agree with ya, nothing beats a PBJ still to this day! Sometimes, I’ll have a half of one as my dessert–seriously! I love them so much. Though I’m weird and like green apple mint jelly, but let’s not judge one another by our jelly selections haha. Love these girlie!
Hayley @ The Domestic Rebel recently posted..Sugar Crumb Pizza
OMG green apple mint jelly…. we need to have a talk Hayley. I won’t judge you though, PROMISE!!
Omg, love the streusel topping! This is like mixing two classics, PB&J meets white chocolate raspberry. Dying to try it!
Meghan @ After the Ivy League recently posted..First Day of Grad School!
I never thought of that! You’re right, it’s totally mixing two of my favorite classic combos
Want this, like, now. Do you deliver to DC?
Rachel {Studio Cuisine} recently posted..Moving On!
We are so close to eachother Rachel!
I know! We’ll have to plan a DC/Baltimore blogger meet up at some point!
Rachel {Studio Cuisine} recently posted..How to Make Homemade Mayonnaise
Streusel is one of my all time favorites – any time its listed as a part of a dessert/food I have my sights set on it. It’s always a winner
PS & J is a classic..I still eat it for lunch all the time!
Nicole @ The Marvelous Misadventures of Foodie recently posted..Raspberry Peach Cobbler
OMG! Sally, these are insane and amazing! I love peanut butter and jelly too, and the white chocolate streusel is totally genius. I have to make these soon
Laura Dembowski recently posted..Almond Paste
i knew you’d like these laura… no chocolate! just white chocolate.
I love streusel too! And pb&j NEVER gets old…I still crave it sometimes even in my “old” age lol
Ashley @ Wishes and Dishes recently posted..Tomato, Onion, and Cucumber Salad
“old age” yeah right lol! haha it’s still my favorite, no matter how old I get!
you always have the best recipes!
yum. and crunchy is definitely the best peanut butter… i’m glad i’m not the only one who eats it straight from the jar!
thank you katie my dear! yes, I eat pb out of the jar almost daily. sit down at my computer, spoon in one hand, jar in the other and go to town
Growing up I was never obsessed with PB&J sandwiches, but PB&J baked goods are a totally different story! These bars look deeeelicious – I love your addition of the streusel!
Erika – The Teenage Taste recently posted..Apple Cinnamon Roll Muffins
looks yum! i love crunchy pb! but not natural crunchy pb. the “regular” crunchy pb. yummmmm.
Sarah K. @ The Pajama Chef recently posted..Iced Tea with Ginger-Mint Simple Syrup
I am pb & jelly lover too Sally! Blueberry or strawberry is my fave with a super thick layer of peanut butter. These are over the top especially since I am a sucker for white chocolate – this combo is heavenly!
Reeni recently posted..Bacon Cheddar Buttermilk Corn Muffins
Mmmmm yes blueberry jam is SO SO good! I’d love to make my own someday. THanks Reeni!
Oh, yes Sally. These look so good. And I don’t even like jelly! I may have to sub Nutella…
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust recently posted..French Silk Pie Ice Cream {I’m a guest today.}
Ummmm yesssss these would be fabulous with Nutella but that goes without saying
These look absolutely divine! And I love that you used Crunchy Peanut Butter!
Chelsea recently posted..Strawberry Cupcakes with White Chocolate Icing
Oh yeah! Crunchy is the best
Okay, this is a mark of an awesome blogger–I’m actually not a huge fan of PB&J (I know, I know!), but after reading this post and seeing your fabulous pictures, I’m ready to make this recipe like RIGHT NOW. Seriously, with the streusel topping and that vibrant pop of jam, these look amazing!
Ashley @ Kitchen Meets Girl recently posted..Pumpkin Latte Coffee Cake
A recipe success then right?! Thanks Ashley you’re so sweet!
this is like childhood in a bar but with more sugar than my parents would ever allow me to have! haha, i love the streusel topping – i’d be picking it all off and then be left with no streusel
sad day for me, huh? haha
Julie @ Table for Two recently posted..BBQ Chicken Pizza
White chocolate streusel! These look amazing!
Anna @ hiddenponies recently posted..CARROT LENTIL SOUP
I’ve been needing a good recipe for PB&J bars. This makes me wish I could eat one right now!
LEt me know if you make them, thanks Carissa!
I love streusel anything too! Just oatmeal, white chocolate and brown sugar layer is just the perfect topping for these delicious bars!
baker street recently posted..Hazelnut and White Chocolate Chip Cookies
Ahhh! I love these bars! What a great new way to enjoy PB&J!!
Stephanie @ Eat. Drink. Love. recently posted..Strawberry Soda Floats
Thank you Stephanie!
Omg, I totally agree, PB+J is the best
Your bars look awesome – I’m a sucker for (obviously) anything pb+j and anything with a streusel. Awesome!
Heidi @ Food Doodles recently posted..Cheesy Tomato Soup
I am a SUCKER for PBJ too!! Thanks Heidi. Oh and ya just can’t go wrong with streusel! lol
Ok… I’m going to make these very soon for sure! Thanks
Hey Sam Ana! Let me know how they turn out!
Yum! I absolutely love the PB&J combo. My fam has a tradition to go berry-picking once a summer and we use a hybrid of berries to make “strawlalieberry jam”–strawberries + olallieberries. What brand of jam do you use? Looks delicious
Erika recently posted..Tomato and Squash Gratin
Strawlalieberry jam… whatever that is, it sounds fantastic. I used smackers raspberry jam. It’s my favorite! Not homemade though, obviously!
I love peanut butter and jelly too! Even though I’ve only had it like once. Those bars look awesome – I love the addition of white chocolate.
Ilan recently posted..New York Cheesecake
thank you! i grew up on PBJs, the white chocolate were a last minute extra touch
These sound and look incredible Sally! I love the pb&j combo!
Laurie {Simply Scratch} recently posted..Easy Homemade Pizza Sauce
Hey Laurie!! Thank you!
Oh my goooooooooodness, Sally… these look out-of-control amazing! I want!!!
Sally you are truly amazing. And evil. For introducing all of these amazing recipes in my life
Last weekend I made these with my 89 year old gramma… huge hit!
Thank you!!!
Kara, that’s the sweetest comment ever. I’m so happy you and your grandma made these. Thanks for letting me know!
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