Yup. These are pretty amazing. It’s like the classic go-to sandwich we all know and love has morphed into a chewy, buttery, perfect cookie.
I originally developed this recipe to sweeten up some friends visiting from California this summer. Jane happened to be well into her second pregnancy at the time, and after one bite she was hooked. PBBJ Bars were her new official craving.
I still laugh thinking about the text she sent on their way home to let me know that their care package of left-overs was accidentally left on the roof of the car, and that ‘now some lucky buzzard is probably feasting on her goodies.’
She never got that second bite, so I feel it’s my duty to share my recipe with her. And you.
Although it’s also my duty to warn you. Pregnant or not, just one taste may incite further craving.
Peanut Butter & Blackberry Jam Blondies
(makes 36 bars)
1/4 cup unsalted butter
1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
2 cups light brown sugar
2 eggs (room temperature)
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
1/4 cup seedless blackberry jam
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Lightly spray a 9 x 13″ baking pan, then line it with parchment paper, leaving some excess hanging over the sides.
In a microwave safe bowl, melt the butter and 1/4 cup peanut butter then stir to combine. Whisk in the brown sugar until smooth, then add the eggs and vanilla and whisk to combine. Stir in the flour, baking powder and salt.
Spread the blondie batter evenly in the prepared pan and set aside. In a small microwave safe bowl, heat the blackberry jam for 15 seconds. In a separate microwave safe bowl, heat the second 1/4 cup of peanut butter for 15 seconds. Drop tablespoons of jam and peanut butter alternately, in evenly spaced rows on top of the blonde batter. Using the back of a butter knife, gently drag through the jam and peanut butter to evenly swirl them through the batter.
Bake the blondies in the preheated oven for 45 minutes. Cool them in the pan on a wire rack for 15 – 20 minutes, then use the excess parchment paper to lift them out of the pan.
Eat. Crave. Eat more.
OMFG. SO GOOD.
(Originally written for and featured on iwantherjob.com)
omfg. so good. 