Today is a big day! I’m celebrating two birthdays: Dad’s and Sunday Supper’s. I’m so excited! Some celebrations are just what this dreary January needs. Clearly, Dad’s birthday is a big deal; it’s even a milestone birthday . . . I won’t say which one. His present is waiting to be opened and he’s already devoured his birthday treat (ah, the life of a blogger), but I’ll make sure he has plenty of tasty food today.
He is such an important part of my life. I don’t know what I’d do without him. I cherish our conversations and one on one time together. I love when he, Mom, and I do something fun together. He never stops fighting for me and my dreams, even when we all grow a little frustrated and discouraged. He is my faithful taste tester, errand runner, and flower planter, and is an invaluable part of my everyday life. The three of us go together like peanut butter, jelly, and caramel 🙂 Happy Birthday, Dad! Here’s to an amazing year, and many more to follow.
It’s also Sunday Supper’s birthday! Sunday Supper is one of the most important parts of my blog life. It’s no secret I often struggle with my blog and its failure to live up to my lofty expectations. Sunday Supper has helped my blog grow leaps and bounds, which I really appreciate, but more than that, it’s introduced me to so many other bloggers. I am part of a community with Sunday Supper.
I look forward to seeing the themes each week. And then I bound to my computer on Sunday to interact with my blog friends and see what they created. It has opened up a new world for me and made me feel like I’m a part of something for the first time EVER! So thank you Isabel and the Sunday Supper team for creating this movement and allowing me to be a part of it.
To celebrate these birthdays, I needed a seriously awesome treat, and these Caramel Peanut Butter and Jelly Bars did not disappoint. I knew Dad would love these and I was right. He still can’t stop talking about them. I love them too with the peanut butter-oat crust and topping that is a little soft, a little chewy, and sturdy enough to support the fabulous filling of cherry preserves (though you can use whatever flavor you like) and caramel sauce. I happened to have a jar of Jeni’s Salty Caramel Sauce that was calling my name and it was perfect in these bars. Plus, they are gluten free and you would NEVER know it! Though I have a giant sweet tooth, I did find these to be a little too sweet. I cut down the amount of sugar in the recipe below to combat that. In addition, a thin layer of peanut butter under the jelly and/or a few peanuts in the topping would be a great twist to add a little more complexity. Don’t get me wrong, I still love these bars and know you will too. I think Dad will be requesting them every year for his birthday!
Caramel Peanut Butter and Jelly Bars #SundaySupper
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 9 bars 1x
Ingredients
- ½ stick unsalted butter
- ¾ cup creamy peanut butter (I used Skippy Natural)
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 cups old fashioned rolled oats (I used Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free)
- ½ cup jam/jelly/preserves, whatever flavor you like (I used American Spoon Cherry Spoon Fruit)
- ¼ cup salted caramel sauce (I used Jeni’s)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Butter an 8 inch square pan and line it with parchment. Lightly butter the parchment.
- In a large microwave safe bowl, microwave butter until melted, 60-75 seconds. Add the peanut butter and microwave for an additional 45 seconds. Stir the butter and peanut butter together before adding sugars, cinnamon, and vanilla. Stir until fully combined. Add the oats and stir until a thick dough is formed.
- Press about ¾ of the peanut butter-oat mixture into the prepared pan very firmly. Spread the preserves in an even layer over the crust. Spread the caramel in an even layer over the preserves. Crumble the remaining dough over the top of the caramel.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with no crumbs (it will have preserves and caramel on it), the top is golden brown, and the caramel is bubbling. Cool completely in pan.
- Bars may be stored at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3 days or frozen, wrapped in parchment and foil and placed in a zipper bag for up to three months. Thaw at room temperature about an hour or in the microwave for about 30 seconds.
Notes
Recipe adapted from Averie Cooks
To add more peanut flavor to the bars, spread ¼ cup peanut butter on the crust before the preserves and caramel and/or add ¼ cup peanuts to the dough reserved for the topping.
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
Don’t forget to check out all the other celebration Sunday Supper dishes!
Brilliant Breads and Breakfast Fare:
- Brioche aux Pépites de Chocolat from Food Lust People Love
- Broccoli, Potato & Cheese Egg Cups from Cupcakes & Kale Chips
- Celebration Strawberry Crepes from The Not So Cheesy Kitchen
- Homemade Brioche from Masala Herb
- Onion Cheddar Cheese Focaccia from Flour On My Face
- Poached Pear Bread from Hip Foodie Mom
Amazing Appetizers and Cocktails:
- Blood Orange Gin Fizz from The Girl In The Little Red Kitchen
- Blue Cheese Walnut Tarts from Magnolia Days
- Caramelized Onion and Mushroom Stuffed Butternut Squash from Small Wallet, Big Appetite
- Cheesy Twists from What Smells So Good?
- Key Lime Pie Martini from girlichef
- Pizza Dip from The Food Army Wife
- Slow Cooker Party Mix from Hot Momma’s Kitchen Chaos
Spectacular Soups and Salads:
- Creamy, Tangy Bacon Salad Dressing from Daily Dish Recipes
- Day at the Beach Healthy Tuna Salad from Shockingly Delicious
- Low Carb Spicy Chunky Vegetable Beef Chili from Yours and Mine Are Ours
- Luscious Fruit Salad from Pescetarian Journal
- Quinoa and Buffalo Chicken Salad from In the Kitchen with KP
Enticing Entrees:
- Carne de Porco Alentejana | Portuguese Pork and Clams from Family Foodie
- Chicken Shami Kebab from Soni’s Food
- Chicken and Rice Dinner in the Crock from Momma’s Meals
- Curried Chicken from The Foodie Patootie
- Healthy Chicken Tetrazzini from Citronlimette
- Imagination Stew from Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
- Orecchiette with Chicken, Brocccoli, Mushrooms and Onions from Kudos Kitchen by Renee
- Runny Egg Risotto from Jane’s Adventures in Dinner
- Sautéed Chicken with Tarragon Cream Sauce plus Arugula, Radicchio and Escarole Salad from Crazy Foodie Stunts
- Seafood Stew from Healthy. Delicious.
- Spice-Crusted Fish Tacos with Confetti Salsa from The Weekend Gourmet
- Spicy Roasted Squash and Wild Rice Bake from Curious Cuisiniere
- Spicy Shrimp Tempura Rolls from kimchi MOM
- Spinach Proscuitto Macaroni and Cheese with Walnut Topping from Noshing with the Nolands
- Tuscan Chicken Spinach Soup with Roasted Red Pepper from Sue’s Nutrition Buzz
Decadent Desserts:
- Azuki Red Bean Ice Cream from The Ninja Baker
- Banana Pudding Parfaits from Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
- Birthday Cake Macaron from A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
- Caramel Peanut Butter and Jelly Bars from Pies and Pots
- Chocolate Mousse Torte from That Skinny Chick Can Bake
- Cinnamon Sugar Churros and Chocolate Sauce from Neighborfood
- Crumb Cake Brownies from Table for Seven
- Frozen Chocolate Covered Banana Pops from Ruffles & Truffles
- Gluten-Free Epiphany Cake from Happy Baking Days
- Gluten-Free Vegan Coconut Cookies by Killer Bunnies, Inc
- Happy Birthday Cake Batter Truffles from Take A Bite Out of Boca
- Kahlua Toffee Ice Cream Cake from Webicurean
- Mini Chocolate Bundt Cake with Raspberry Sauce from Peanut Butter and Peppers
- Pineapple Coconut Cupcakes from Basic N Delicious
- S’mores Snack Cake from Alida’s Kitchen
Join the #SundaySupper conversation on twitter on Sunday! We tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly chat starts at 7:00 pm ET. Follow the #SundaySupper hashtag and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat. Check out our #SundaySupper Pinterest board for more fabulous recipes and food photos.
Would you like to join the Sunday Supper Movement? It’s easy! You can sign up by clicking here: Sunday Supper Movement.
I strongly believe caramel is one of the best things ever invented in the kitchen. These bars are insane Laura! And glad the SS group makes you feel so welcome! Have a great sunday!
Caramel makes everything better 🙂 Thanks, Paula!
I so want to know what your bars taste like. They are massive and should feed my husband well =D
You and your husband would both love these bars! Thanks for visiting, Helene 🙂
Happy birthday to your dad! These bars sound outrageous! haha I love peanut butter and jelly – and in dessert form with caramel?? Awesome : )
A sweet treat for a sweet dad.
I have loved being a part of Sunday Supper, and cooking along with everyone each week.
Cheers to another great year!
I couple of things you should know:
1. My husband is obsessed with peanut butter. Obsessed.
2. For National Peanut Butter & Jelly Day (I’m committing to a national food holiday challenge on my blog), I had no clue what I would make that’s different than a regular ol’ PB & J sandwich. Thanks for some inspiration!
I hope you try these and enjoy them! Thanks for visiting, Jennifer!
OMG, I love all things PB and J! I’m totally going to try this when I am done with my challenge 🙂 Happy birthday to your dad!
You definitely have to try these! Thanks, Becky!
I love Averi’es recipes!
So just is so creative!
These came out great.
I need this flavor combination in my life immediately! Peanut butter and jelly is already killer, but adding caramel sounds brilliant. Want!
I love that you added caramel to these already terrific bars!!! And I also love that you’re with us every Sunday with a yummy recipe to share!
What a lovely tribute to your Dad and #SundaySupper! These bars sound outrageously good and the fact that they’re gluten-free makes me extra happy!
Love these Laura!!! Hope you had a great weekend!!! Xx
It is such an honor to be celebrating a birthday with your dad. I feel that same way about my dad. Enjoy your day!
Thanks, Isabel!
I love these Bars!! They came out great!
Happy Birthday to your Dad! What a great treat for him – who wouldn’t want one (or more!) of these wonderful looking bars? PB & J is a classic combo, of course, and I love adding caramel to the mix. Looks terrific – thanks.
Yes, it’s hard to eat just one 🙂 Thanks, John!
I LOVE peanut butter and jelly bars. The caramel just brings it to another amazing level. Thanks for sharing and being part of Sunday Suppers!
Happy Bday to your dad! Glad he loved the bars and thanks for trying & linking up to my bars. Yours look so good and love the color contrast of the jelly you used and all those chunky oats!
Thanks, Averie! Yes, the cherry preserves were the perfect complement in both color and flavor!
Wow! This is a knock-out punch to the palette. Lucky you that Jeni’s caramel sauce.
Lucky you, too, that you’ve got such supportive parents =)
Happy Birthday to your father =)
Meant to say Lucky you that you’ve got Jeni’s sauce in your cupboard =)
Happy Sunday birthdays!
Yes, I am very lucky to have my parents and that caramel sauce 🙂
Caramel Peanut Butter and Jelly Bars?!!! oh my gawd, love these!!!
Anything PB&J has my name all over it! Yum!
You always make the best looking treats Laura, thanks for sharing another one!! Happy #SundaySupper and Happy Birthday to Dad!!
Thanks for your sweet comment, Tara!
Ooh did you say Caramel Peanut and Jelly Bars??DIVINE!!!Happy Birthday to your Dad!
The addition of caramel to peanut butter and jelly is so genius! And bars? Well that is perfection!
Thanks, Jocelyn, and thanks for visiting!
These look insane! Nothing is better than the combination of pb&j….except when caramel is added to the equation. Thanks for the recipe
Thanks, Kristan, and thanks for visiting 🙂
Happy belated birthday to your dad! I bet he loved these bars. I love all things PB and J! 🙂
I’ve had pb and j bars but never with caramel. I’m so glad your dad had a b-day just so we could get this recipe!
Aww your dad sounds AMAZING. happy birthday to him! What a way to celebrate, with these bars! The perfect spin on PB+J.
Thanks, Joanne!
mmm PB&J and caramel?!?!? what a triple threat!
great healthy recipe!
So funny…I was just looking up PB and J dessert recipes yesterday and then I see this today….. I LOVE MY PB&J!
Oh how I love a peanut butter treat 🙂 These look yummy! Hope your dad had a wonderful birthday!!!!
Happy happy birthday to your dad! If what you made him was anything like these little treats, I know it was good. These look great!
Happy belated birthday to your dad! These bars sound great. I love peanut butter and jelly but caramel?! That’s just something I’ve gotta try like… ASAP!
I love reading about awesome daddy’s. I have the best dad and now am blessed with an equally incredible father-in-law and husband who is an amazing daddy. I can’t wait for Morgan to be a bit older so we can make treats like this for her daddy.
These sound fantastic. Just made your triple peanut butter cookies as I so love peanut butter…..
Glad you made the cookies! You would totally love these bars too!
Sending belated happy birthday wishes to your Dad and sending you a big virtual hug. It’s been great having you a part of the Sunday Supper family and I look forward to what you will bring to our table this year.
Awww, thanks, Renee! Hoping it will be a great year!
Such sweet words about your dad! 🙂
I love how you added caramel to a pb and j combo. I never thought of it but I bet it tastes great! They look delicious.
Happy birthday to your dad!!!
By the way, these look INCREDIBLE.
These look beyond perfect!
These bars would be great for any occasion. Having PB and J in form of such bars is a very delicious idea!
Looks like a great recipe – looking forward to trying it out. Thanks.
Thanks, Kimberlee, and thanks for visiting 🙂