This Peanut Butter And Jelly Dessert might look like a simple pan of bars, but one bite tells a different story. Imagine everything you love about a classic PB&J sandwich—salty peanut butter, sweet sticky jelly, that nostalgic comfort—baked into thick, chewy blondies with golden edges and gooey swirls on top.

Yes. It’s as good as it sounds.

This recipe takes my go-to blondie base and gives it a full-on PB&J upgrade. We melt a stick of butter in the microwave, stir in peanut butter, brown sugar, an egg, vanilla, and flour, and boom—the batter is ready in about five minutes. No mixer. No complicated steps. Just one bowl and a spoon.

Then comes the fun part.

Big dollops of peanut butter and jelly go right on top. You grab a knife. You swirl. You create ribbons of sweet and salty magic across the surface.

Just don’t overdo it.

We want swirls. Not a muddy peanut butter-jelly storm.

Brief Introduction to This Peanut Butter And Jelly Dessert

Let’s call it what it is.

This is the grown-up version of your childhood sandwich.

Except instead of soft white bread, you get dense, caramel-toned blondie bars. Instead of spreading peanut butter thin, we double down. Peanut butter goes in the batter and on top. Jelly? Generous. Always generous.

These bars bake in under 30 minutes. The whole project takes about half an hour from start to finish.

And the yield?

One modest 8×8 pan. Nine generous squares.

Enough to share.

Or not. I’m not judging.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

You know how some recipes sound nostalgic but taste underwhelming?

This isn’t that.

1. It’s Fast

This Best Peanut Butter Blondie Recipe comes together in one bowl. Melt, stir, pour, swirl, bake.

That’s it.

No creaming butter. No complicated techniques.

2. It’s Rich and Chewy

We use only brown sugar. No granulated sugar here.

That means deep caramel notes. Moist texture. Dense crumb.

If you love chewy bars, this Peanut Butter Blondie Recipe With Brown Sugar hits the sweet spot.

3. It’s Loaded With Peanut Butter Flavor

We don’t sprinkle peanut butter lightly.

We build the batter with it. Then we swirl more on top.

If you’re going to make Pb Blondies, they should taste like peanut butter. Period.

4. Jelly in Every Bite

I’m not stingy with jelly. Ever.

The sweet fruit balances the salty peanut butter perfectly. That contrast is what makes this Pb And J Dessert work.

Close-up of thick, chewy blondie bars swirled with jam and peanut butter, showcasing a marbled top and dense texture—an indulgent Peanut Butter And Jelly Dessert that looks like homemade Pb And J Blondies fresh from the pan.

The Story Behind the Recipe

Peanut butter and jelly never gets old.

You outgrow certain foods. You move on from childhood favorites. But PB&J? That one sticks around.

One afternoon, I looked at my standard blondie recipe and thought, “Why not?”

Why not stir peanut butter into the batter?

Why not swirl jelly across the top like I’m decorating a canvas?

So I did.

And what came out of the oven tasted like Peanut Butter And Jelly Brownies crossed with a chewy cookie bar. Soft centers. Slightly crisp edges. Thick peanut butter swirls baked into golden caramelized batter.

That was it.

I had accidentally created what might be my favorite Peanut Butter Jelly Dessert to date.

Sometimes the best recipes happen when you stop overthinking.

Ingredient Breakdown (And Why Each One Matters)

Let’s go ingredient by ingredient.

Simple pantry staples. Big flavor payoff.

Butter (½ cup, melted)

Melt it in the microwave.

Butter builds richness and helps create that dense blondie texture. Let it cool slightly before mixing so you don’t scramble the egg.

Creamy Peanut Butter (¼ cup in batter + ¼–⅓ cup for topping)

We use peanut butter twice.

First, it blends into the batter. Then it creates those signature swirls.

Use creamy peanut butter for smooth ribbons. Natural peanut butter works, but stir it well first.

Light Brown Sugar (1 cup, packed)

This is crucial.

Using only brown sugar gives these bars their soft, moist, almost caramel-like depth. It defines this Peanut Butter Blondie Recipe With Brown Sugar.

Egg (1 large)

Binds everything together and adds structure.

Vanilla Extract (2 teaspoons)

Enhances sweetness and rounds out the peanut butter flavor.

All-Purpose Flour (1¼ cups)

Provides structure without making the bars cakey.

Do not overmix once you add flour. That’s how blondies turn tough.

Salt (¼ teaspoon)

Balances sweetness and intensifies flavor.

Jelly (¼–⅓ cup)

Strawberry. Grape. Raspberry. Cherry.

Use what you love.

The jelly transforms this into true Pb And J Blondies with fruity pockets in every bite.

Step-by-Step: How to Make It

Let’s walk through it clearly.

Step 1: Prep the Pan and Oven

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Line an 8×8 pan with foil and spray with cooking spray.

This makes removal easy. Cleanup stays painless.

Step 2: Melt and Mix the Base

Melt the butter in a microwave-safe bowl. About 60 seconds does it.

Add ¼ cup peanut butter to the warm butter. Heat briefly to soften.

Stir until smooth.

Add brown sugar. Mix thoroughly.

Add egg and vanilla. Stir until glossy and combined.

Step 3: Add Dry Ingredients

Add flour and salt.

Stir gently until just combined.

Stop mixing once you don’t see dry flour.

Overmixing = tough blondies.

Step 4: Spread the Batter

Pour batter into prepared pan.

Smooth the top lightly with a spatula.

Step 5: Swirl Time

Dollop 4–5 spoonfuls of peanut butter across the top.

Dollop 4–5 spoonfuls of jelly across the surface.

Grab a knife.

Drag it back and forth in zig-zag motions.

Do not overswirl.

If you mix too aggressively, you lose those distinct ribbons and end up with brownish chaos.

Step 6: Bake

Bake for 22–27 minutes.

Look for:

Edges pulling slightly away
Center set and golden
Toothpick mostly clean

Do not overbake.

The center continues setting as it cools.

Step 7: Cool Before Slicing

Let them cool at least 45 minutes.

Cut too soon and they’ll crumble.

Patience pays off.

Pro Tips for Perfect Peanut Butter Jelly Brownies Texture

Want flawless bars? Follow these.

Use only brown sugar.
It guarantees chewiness and moisture.

Measure peanut butter carefully.
Too much makes the top greasy.

Don’t overbake.
Slightly underbaked centers stay soft.

Let them cool fully.
Structure sets as they rest.

Swirl lightly.
Less is more.

Variations to Try

These bars are wildly adaptable.

Add Chocolate Chips

Stir in a cup of chocolate chips for extra indulgence.

Peanut butter + chocolate + jelly = elite trio.

Toss in Candy Pieces

Chop peanut butter cups.

Add Reese’s Pieces.

Stir in Peanut M&Ms.

These upgrades push this into serious Peanut Butter Jelly Brownies territory.

Add Fruit

Fresh raspberries or blueberries swirl beautifully.

Frozen works too—just don’t thaw first.

Make It Gluten-Free

Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.

Simple swap. Same chewy result.

Best Ways to Serve These Pb And J Blondies

These bars shine on their own.

But you can level them up.

Serve warm with vanilla ice cream.

Drizzle extra melted peanut butter on top.

Add a dollop of whipped cream.

Cut into smaller squares for party trays.

They also pair beautifully with cold milk or strong coffee.

Classic meets indulgent.

Storage and Leftovers

Let’s talk logistics.

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.

Or refrigerate for slightly firmer texture.

Freeze for up to three months.

Layer with parchment between pieces.

To reheat, microwave for 10–15 seconds.

The peanut butter softens. The jelly loosens. Magic returns.

FAQs

Are these brownies?

Technically no. They’re blondies.

But they resemble Peanut Butter And Jelly Brownies because of their dense, chewy texture.

Can I double the recipe?

Yes. Use a 9×13 pan. Adjust bake time slightly.

Can I use crunchy peanut butter?

Yes, but texture changes. Swirls won’t look as smooth.

Why only brown sugar?

Brown sugar keeps the bars moist and enhances peanut butter flavor. It defines this Best Peanut Butter Blondie Recipe.

Final Thoughts

Some flavor combinations never fail.

Peanut butter and jelly is one of them.

This recipe transforms that classic into thick, chewy, golden bars with dramatic swirls and bold peanut butter flavor.

It’s simple.
It’s fast.
It’s nostalgic.

And honestly? It might be the ultimate Peanut Butter And Jelly Dessert.

So melt the butter. Grab the peanut butter. Be generous with the jelly.

Swirl gently.

Bake confidently.

And enjoy every chewy, caramel-rich, peanut butter-packed bite. Print