Hello friends, and happy Wednesday!
I am currently sitting in Ohio, in my dad’s office, and we are both doing our work together on this beautiful autumn afternoon in the heartland.
It’s an absolutely gorgeous day – all of the leaves are changing colors, it’s crisp outside with a slight breeze. And just enough clouds to make the sky interesting!
And I am chomping away on one of my favorite snacks: PB&J bars.
They are absolutely divine. They taste just like my childhood favorite, only now – with a sophisticated twist!
When I arrived in Ohio, I made a batch of these bars to have around the house this week, because they are a super convenient, healthy and fast snack, breakfast or dessert! Not to mention they are a great, sharable treat that everyone – no matter if you’re my niece’s age (7), my age, or my parents’ age! Everybody loves the classic combination of peanut butter and jelly!
Plus, they are grain and gluten free, vegan, paleo, and Specific Carb Diet friendly!
Here’s what you need: (Make 12 bar, or 36 “bites”)
20 medjool dates, pitted
1/4 cup fresh-ground peanut butter
1 1/4 cup peanuts
3/4 cup dried cherries
1/4 tsp sea salt
Topping:
1/4 cup dired cherries
1/4 cup peanuts
1/4 cup dark chocolate chips + 1 tsp coconut oil (Optional; SCD omit)
Tools:
Food processor
Good Chef’s Knife
Parchment Paper
Measuring cups
Pyrex measuring cup
Brownie Pan
Directions:
This could not be easier! Throw all of the ingredients into the food processor, and process until it forms the consistency of thick, wet sand.
Line your brownie pan with parchment paper. You’ll want it to go up over the sides so you can easily pull out the bars from the pan.
Then, pour all of your dough from the food processor into the lined brownie pan.
Then, take another sheet of parchment paper and place it on top of the dough. Then, with your hands (on top of the parchment), smoosh the dough to the corners of the pan, creating an even layer of dough.
Then, remove the top parchment paper, and place your remaining 1/4 cup cherries and 1/4 cup peanuts evenly on the flattened dough. Then, return the parchment paper to the top, and with your hands, smoosh them into the dough. (This creates a nice texture surprise in the bars).
Pop the dough in the fridge to chill.
To prepare your drizzle, melt your chocolate chips + 1/4 tsp coconut oil in a microwave safe dish or Pyrex. Microwave at 30 second intervals, stirring frequently. Then, once it is all drizzly, with a fork, drizzle over your bars, as much or as little as you’d like!
Return to the fridge to cool, for either 2 hours, or overnight.
Then, with a sharp knife, cut into 12 bars. Wrap each individually in parchment paper, and store in the refrigerator in a closed container for up to 3 weeks. You may also form them into 36 bite-sized bars.
HOLY COW, these bars are such a treat!
I don’t know about you, but there’s nothing quite like peanut butter and jelly to really bring on the nostalgia, and offer a sort of “food hug” if you know what I mean.
The cherries were phenomenal in this dish! They were the perfect “jelly” flavor, because they were just tart enough to really cut through the intense sweetness from the dates!
And the peanuts were divine. They offered this nice crunchy bite that paired perfectly with the stick and chewy bars. Mmm mmm mmm!
But the chocolate was what really brought them over the top! I mean – wowzers. Talk about taking it to the next level! Gourmet status, let me tell you!
And they were BEAUTIFUL! Oh my gosh, the swirls of chocolate looked like fantastic spiderwebs! It was like something out of a high-end chocolatier!
And seriously, they were so easy. For thirty minutes of actual “labor,” you’re eating good all week!
Do yourself and your family a favor — make these bars! They’re the perfect healthy indulgence that will make your tastebuds, your body, and your wallet dance! 🙂
“This is what the Lord says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life.” Ez 37:5
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44 responses to “PB & J Bars!”
Look delicious. There’s has got to a health angle to this somewhere! 😁
Oh absolutely! Protein! Healthy fats! It’s super good for you! Thanks for stopping by!
It does look delicious!
I’ve seen some small boutique bakeries in NYC that specialize in that sort of thing.
I once got 25 organic dark chocolate peanut butter cups for a health food store for $1 a package.
They had bought a bunch of them and were trying to get rid of them. They normally sold for about ~$2.
Over the next three days that’s all I ate. While I thoroughly enjoyed it while I had them, I didn’t buy another one for 6 months! 😁😜🤣
Thank you so much!! Oooh! What a great deal you found!! Hahah that sounds like a delicious three days! But I definitely get giving them a rest for a while! Haha Hugs and love xox
Thou knoweth how to maketh delicious things.
Hahah thank you JB 🙂 you’re kind to say that! Hugs and love xox
Hahah, you are very graciously welcome your Caralynness. 🙂🙂🙂 You are a great and kind lady to say it to. Hugs and love back.
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Thanks, I’ll be making some of these to add to my driving food.
Thanks HJ!! Yes! These are great packable snacks for sure!!
Hugs and love xox
Great to see you again and of course, awesome post! You look very happy.
Thank you so much!!! Oh my gosh My heart is so full right now! Hugs and love xox
Looks delicious 😋
Thank you so much Megan! They were lovely! Hugs and love xox
Oh well since I am still waiting for my airlift, please definitely add a lot of these. 🙂
Hahaha I will add at least 3 dozen 🙂 thanks friend! Hope you’re having a great night! Hugs and love xox
Looks luscious and tasty!
Thank you so much! They really were!!!! Hugs and love xox
I’m amazed at how you are able to make such good looking bars. Who doesn’t love the awesome combo of PBNJ? Looks great. Sounds splendid.
Awww thank you so much! I personally think pbnj is literal perfection. Second only to chocolate and peanut butter!! Haha Hugs and love xox
You’re welcome 🙂
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Your are both beautiful 😍😍
Aw thank you! What a kind thing to say! Hugs and love xox
Hey there B.B.B. give been a chef for 30 plus years and that’s got to be one of the coolest fun recipies. But I’m a tad bit confused now the 3rd ingredient down it just says peanut butter is that the making of the peanut butter? Or is there an amount of peanut butter.one last thing where’s the jelly. Ok really last thing so do you have whatsapp?? I hope you clear this up with me I want to make them.
Oh my gosh! Thank you!!! I am seriously honored and humbled by such generous worlds coming from such an established chef! Yes – great questions. Yeah the peanut butter is actual peanut butter. It helps bind everything together. (I use the freshly ground – do it yourself – kind in the bulk section at Whole Foods. And the cherries are standing in for the jelly because the jelly would make them too sticky. I hope that helps!! Hugs and love xox
Yummy!
Thanks Jim! They really were! Hugs and love xox
These look so good. Thanks for sharing the recipe. I’ll have to try them.
Thank you so much!! Oh
My gosh these were fabulous! I hope you love them! Hugs and love xox
I just love your enthusiasm for healthy food and life and people! My husband put my food processor in the basement because it was taking up too much space on the kitchen counter and I hadn’t been using it. But guess what! That baby might make its way up the basement steps today…💕🙆🏻♀️ Thank you for sharing!
Aww thank you Deborah! You’re kind to say that. Oh gosh – yes when I’m home visiting my parents they bring it out from the basement too – it definitely takes up some “prime real estate” on the countertops! Haha oh nice!!! Haha I hope it does! Have an awesome evening! Hugs and love xox
This looks delicious!! Hope you have a lovely time with your family!! 🙂
Thank you! Oh my gosh they were a real treat! Hugs and love xox
Those bars look amazing. 🙂
thank you! oh gosh they certainly were! Hugs and love xox
These look and sound amazing💙
Thank you Victoria!! They really were!! Hugs and love xox
I was planning on excluding myself from this snack and then realized it fits into my fitness and dietary goals. Thank you for always finding delicious ways to inspire your readers. I am so glad to be back reading your page. It always brings me joy.
Hi Ads! Yes! It is truly healthy and wholesome! I hope you enjoy it! They’re so delicious!! Have a great day! Hugs and love xox
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Thanks got the link up! Hugs and love xox