PB and Red Pepper Jelly Bars

PB and Red Pepper Jelly Bars

Are you thinking what I'm thinking? Red pepper jelly? That does not sound like something that goes in dessert. However, once you give these a try, all of the doubt will disappear! 

These bars are made with creamy peanut butter and sweet red pepper jelly that create a perfect, flavorful combination of sweet and salty. These are a great snack for kids of all ages and easy enough to be a weeknight baking project. 

When you bake these bars the jelly layer takes on an almost chewy texture that, in combination with, the almost crumbly PB and oat layer makes this a dessert sure to be added to a regular rotation in your kitchen. 

So, without further ado, here's how to make this wonderful concoction.  

Ingredients:

• 1 Cup creamy peanut butter, divided

• 1 Cup unsalted butter, softened

• 1 Tsp Baking powder

• 1 Tsp Vanilla extract

• 1½ Cups all-purpose flour

• ¾ Cup brown sugar

• 1 Large egg

• ¾ Cup salted peanuts, chopped and divided

• ¾ Cup old-fashioned oats

• 1 (10.5 ounce) jar red pepper jelly

Action:

Preheat oven 350 degrees

Line an 8" baking pan with parchment paper

In a large bowl, beat butter and ¾ cup peanut butter together with mixer until creamy. Beat in egg and vanilla

In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, brown sugar, ½ cup peanuts, oats and baking powder

Gradually add dry mixture to peanut butter mixture and beat until combined (dough will be thick) Reserve 1 cup of dough and press remainder into the bottom of the prepared pan.

Spread jelly on top of the dough

Drop remaining peanut butter in spoonfuls on top of the jelly

Crumble the reserved cup of dough on top of the peanut butter and jelly, sprinkle remainder of peanuts on top

Bake until golden brown, about 30 minutes.