PB&J SHORTBREAD BARS

How to Make Easy Shortbread Bars

SIMPLE & EASY is the way to my heart and that is exactly what these are which is why I am obsessed with Shortbread Bars and making them. That is all there is to it, not much to explain besides they are so incredibly delicious and quick to make.

These instantly became a family favorite the minute I was done testing them. Honestly, it was by mistake that I came up with these. I was trying to perfect a shortbread cookie and thought what if I pressed it in the bottom of a baking dish and adding some Nutella. Then a nostalgic moment crossed my mind and I thought shortbread cookies are very buttery and plain that peanut butter and jelly would be the absolute best filler to something already so light and buttery. Everyone loves peanut butter and jelly, unless of course you are like my nephew and allergic, in which case is very unfortunate because it is the best combination ever created!

So here we are, stumbled upon creating one of the best, easiest desserts anyone can think of. Shortbread Bars are so delicious and reminds me of childhood where peanut butter and jelly was a weekly, if not daily, meal. It is something that became second nature for lunches; although these aren’t healthy and looking back, neither was a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, they truly are the perfect salty meets sweet meets buttery flakey cookie bar. Absolutely nothing like it.

INGREDIENTS NEEDED:
  • All Purpose Flour
  • Cold Unsalted Butter
  • Granulated Sugar
  • Peanut Butter (Skippy's or Jif)
  • Jelly/Jam - flavor of choice

Its 5 ingredients and so easy yet so delicious and staple dessert to make when you’re just craving something simple to make. I have also tested these with different flavors such as smores with marshmallows and chocolate, Nutella, Biscoff, Apple butter, Apple pie filling, can even put some fruit or any flavor jam/jelly. They are a plain buttery shortbread base that can be paired with just about anything you can think or can find in your pantry. I love they are so versatile and easy to make for kids parties, small gatherings or even a larger batch for the Holidays. Create them any way you like and be sure to enjoy them just as much as me and my family do! (If you create something so yummy, don’t forget to tag me so I can see all the delicious shortbread bar creations!)

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PB&J SHORTBREAD BARS

Servings

9+

servings
Prep time

15

minutes
Baking Time

30-35

Minutes

Ingredients

  • SHORTBREAD

  • 2 cups all purpose flour

  • ¾ cup granulated sugar

  • 1 cup butter (2 sticks); cold

  • Pinch of salt

  • FILLING

  • 1 Cup peanut butter (Skippy)*

  • ¾ cup jelly of choice*

Directions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line and grease a 8x8 or 9x9 in square pan with baking spray.

  • Cup up cold butter into cubes to better incorporate into the shortbread mixture

  • Add all ingredients - flour, sugar, and butter - to the bowl of a food processor. Pulse until a moist sand like texture is create. You should be able to pick some up and when pinched together it will stick and form a ball. 

  • Take about 2/3 of the shortbread and press it into a 8x8 or 9x9 in square pan. This bottom layer should be about ½ to ⅔ of an inch thick.

  • Add the peanut butter and spread carefully leaving about a centimeter around the edges. Add the jelly on top and spread out evenly. 

  • Take the rest of the shortbread mixture and crumble all over the top (small and large chunks)

  • Bake for about 30-35 mins or until the shortbread becomes light brown on the edges. DO NOT OVERBAKE, it will become dry and crumbly and lose its moist buttery texture.

Peanut Butter & Jelly

  • Roughly 1 cup is used more or less depending on the size of the pan used and individual preference
  • Skippy Brand is personal preference because it creates the best flavor instead of the natural ones. Can use any healthy version, or other nut butters as well but Skippy brings that nostalgic childhood favorite

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