Saturday, January 21, 2012

Peanut Butter & Jelly Bars

These are super quick, easy and yummy..... You can leave out the peanut butter and just make fruit crumble bars with whatever flavor of jelly is your favorite.. I have used, grape, strawberry, blackberry and raspberry jam to name a few...I am putting 2 ways to do the jam/jelly.  The first way is to use fruitspread preserves (these are located next to the jam/jellies and are delicious ...you don't have to add water to them because they are spreadable...hence the name fruitspread... and the second is to use a regular size jar of jam/jelly and thin it out a little with hot water....I have done it both ways and it is equally yummy..but the fruitspread is the easiest..but who wants to go to the store to just get those fruitspread preserves...use what you have on hand....also I have used both crunchy and smooth peanut butter..use what you like:)   enjoy


Peanut Butter & Jelly Bars

1/2 yellow/white cake mix
1 1/2 cups old fashioned oats
2/3 stick butter,melted
1/2 cup peanut butter (melted for 30 seconds in microwave)
**NOTE**
1 8 oz jar fruitspread preserves (just use these straight from the jar no thinning out with water is necessary) **if using the regular jam/jelly  use the jelly plus the water
1/2 jar jelly/jam
2 T. hot water (tap is fine)


Preheat oven to 375.  Spray a 8x8 pan with nonstick spray. In large bowl mix cake mix and oats.  Add melted butter and peanut butter mix well until crumbly and combined.  In pan place 1/2 the oat mixture patting to an even layer.  In small bowl whisk together the jelly/jam & hot water until comined ***NOTE again if just using the fruitspread preserves use just them..  Spread jelly over oat mixture stopping about 1/2 inch away from the sides (you don't want the jam to burn to the sides of the pan).  Sprinkle the remaining oat mixture evenly over the top and press down lightly over the top.  Bake for 18-20 minutes and remove from oven. These don't get golden brown, but if you cook any longer the bottom will be burnt.   Let cool, but into bars and enjoy.

3 comments:

  1. Do you think hot pepper jam would be good in this? I have a jar that I don't know what to do with. This recipe sounds fantastic!

    ReplyDelete
  2. hmmmm....not sure..mmmm have another idea for hot pepper jam... a wheel of Bree cheese some hot pepper jam and drizzled with honey, wrapped in puff pastry or cresent rolls... yummy...Serve with crackers. or toasted bread... now I am wanting some of that..

    ReplyDelete
  3. Oh how I love love love recipes using a cake mix. These sound just wonderful! MMMM!

    ReplyDelete