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!

Serves 8–10 | Total time: 1 hr 5 min | Vegetarian

Ingredients:

1 ½ cups all-purpose flour

¼ teaspoon salt

1 ½ cups rolled oats

¾ cup nut butter

1 cup brown sugar

2 sticks unsalted butter, cold

⅔ cup nut mix or trail mix

¾ cup fruit jam

Directions:

  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 9×13 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.

Delicately sweet and with a crumbly texture, these bars are a lovely reimagination of childhood comfort. Enjoy!