Peanut Butter and Jelly “Shortbread” Bars

Like most Americans, I grew up eating (and loving!) peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Peanut Butter and Jelly Bars contain that well loved combo in addition to a tender, shortbread crust. A healthier twist on a classic that will give you a stable blood sugar response but satisfy even the sweetest sweet tooth!

If you like these peanut butter and jelly bars, try my Peanut Butter Paleo Brownies, these Frozen Strawberry Cheesecake Bars or these Lemon Linzer Cookies.

Why You’ll Love These Peanut Butter and Jelly Shortbread Bars

The perfect twist of a classic favorite. These bars are reminiscent of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches but a lot healthier made without refined sugar or flour. These bars are gluten free, low carb and vegan.

Ingredients To Make Shortbread Bars

Cookie Base Layer

• Almond flour – Use store bought almond flour or make your own in a high speed blender.
• Vanilla protein powder or arrowroot powder
• Monkfruit syrup or maple syrup – You can use either to make these bars.
• Coconut oil  – I used melted coconut oil but you can also use avocado oil, grass fed butter or ghee, just as long as you melt them.

Chia Jam

• Raspberries – I used fresh but you can also use frozen raspberries.
• Lemon juice – I always use fresh lemon juice as it tastes better than bottled lemon juice.
• Chia seeds or basil seeds
• Monkfruit syrup – You don’t to sweet up the berries if you don’t want. Taste them to see before adding the sweetener. You can also use maple syrup.

Middle Layer

• Peanut butter  – Make sure to use peanut butter with no added sugar or oils. Almond butter will also work.
• Monkfruit syrup – I used monkfruit syrup to sweeten up the peanut butter a touch. You can also use maple syrup.
• Coconut oil  I used melted coconut oil but grass fed butter or ghee, melted would also work.
• Vanilla – I use real vanilla extract, not imitation.

Top Layer

• Chia jam

Equipment

• mixing bowl
• loaf pan
• parchment paper
• knife

How To Make Peanut Butter and Jelly Shortbread Bars

Make the cookie base layer

• Preheat oven to 350 Fahrenheit. Combine all the base layer ingredients until a dough forms.
• Press the dough into a parchment lined loaf pan.
• Bake for 13-15 mins until golden brown on top.
• Allow to cool completely before proceeding with the rest of the recipe.

While the cookie layer is baking, make the chia jam

• In a small saucepan, add raspberries over low heat.
• Mash raspberries with a potato masker or the back of a fork.
• Add lemon juice and stir well.
• Add basil seeds and allow the jam to cool.
• The whole process will take under 5 minutes!

Make the peanut butter layer

• Mix peanut butter ingredients together.

Assemble the Peanut Butter and Jelly Bars

• Keeping the cookie in the loaf pan, spread the nut butter mixture over the cooled cookie layer.
• Spread the chia jam on top of the peanut butter.
• Place the pan in the freezer until hardened. About an hour.
• Using a sharp knife, cut into 10 bars. Enjoy!

Storage

Store any extras (if you have them!) in the freezer in an airtight container for up to 3 months.

Pro Tips

Here are a few things you can do to make sure your peanut butter and jelly bars turn out each time you make them.

• Use all natural peanut butter as conventional peanut butter often has added oils, some are even hydrogenated and they may contain added sugar.
• Keep your almond flour in the fridge so it stays fresh and doesn’t go rancid.
• If you use coconut oil but do not want a coconut taste choose unflavored coconut oil.

FAQs

Can I use crunchy peanut butter to make these bars?

Yes, you can use crunchy peanut butter but I prefer to use smooth for its texture.

Can I use store bought jam instead of making the chia jam?

If you don’t have much time and want to use store bought jam or jelly the recipe will still work though they may get a bit liquidy when you bake them. You can always add some chia seeds to the store bought to thicken it up. If you are using store bought make sure sugar is not listed as the first ingredient.

Can I make the chia jam with a different fruit?

Yes, any berry will work. If you want to substitute blueberries or strawberries it should work out well.

Did you make this recipe? If you did, please tag me and share on Instagram!

See my glucose response to these bars: