Nut Butter and Jelly Bars

As the school year winds up again, delight your kids with these cute Nut Butter and Jelly Bars in their lunch boxes! Perfect for a lunchtime treat or an after-school snack, these bars play on the classic PBJ flavor combination that your family already loves. They even include a handful of nuts or trail mix to add a satisfying crunch and a little extra protein! Delicately sweet and with a crumbly texture, these bars are a lovely reimagination of a childhood comfort.

Serves 8–10

Total time: 1 hr 5 min

Vegetarian

1 ½ cups all-purpose flour

1 cup brown sugar

¼ teaspoon salt

2 sticks unsalted butter, cold

1 ½ cups rolled oats

⅔ cup nut mix or trail mix

¾ cup nut butter

¾ cup fruit jam

1.     Preheat oven to 350°F.

2.     Mix flour, brown sugar, and salt together in a large mixing bowl. Cut in butter until a coarse meal forms.

3.     Stir in oats and press a little more than half of this mixture in a parchment-lined 9x13 inch baking sheet. Bake for 12-15 minutes.

4.     Dollop nut butter and jam onto crust.

5.     Stir in nut mix or trail mix with remaining oat mixture and sprinkle over the top and bake for 20-25 minutes.

6.     Cool completely before cutting.