I have something new and exciting for you all today!! A guest post
from my dear friend Amber of If It Bakes You Happy!! Amber and I met in
college while working at Wal*Mart. She invited me over to her house
(with several other ladies) for an OC dinner party, and it was all over
from there. Eventually we became roomies and we were able to spend our
free time cooking and baking (although when you're doing school and
working all time, free time is a rarity). She loves her family and
friends fiercely and has a passion for everything food. I am honored to
be able to call her one of my best friends.
So, today she is posting here and I am posting on her blog, If It Bakes You Happy. So head over there to see my Peanut Butter and Jelly Thumbprint Cookies and all of her other yummy dishes! We've chosen a PBJ theme for today's posts because it's National PBJ Day! Hope you like Amber's take on this American classic!
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Peanut Butter and Jelly are one of America's most classic combinations, and this delicious duo has inspired many a sandwich and sweet treat since they met in the early 1900's. Well, today is their day! It's National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day, so of course I had to celebrate!
After much debate, I decided I wanted to try to create something that I felt was an original and somewhat innovative twist on this traditional pairing. I thought for quite awhile, and in the midst of my wandering thoughts, I remembered how I had been aching to make some homemade granola bars for awhile now. The two thoughts met, collided, and became one… The creation sparked from this idea I know call Peanut Butter and Jelly Granola Cookie Squares, and here is the recipe!
Peanut Butter and Jelly Granola Cookie Squares
- 3 1/2 cups old-fashioned oats
- 1/2 cup wheat germ
- 1 tsp. cinnamon
- 3/4 cup honey-roasted peanuts, coarsely chopped
- 1 5-ounce bag Blueberry Craisins
- 1 cup peanut butter
- 3 tablespoons canola oil
- 1/3 cup honey
- 2/3 cup Smuckers Simply Fruit Blueberry
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 9x13" baking pan with aluminum foil, leaving excess at each end to create handles for easy removal later. Lightly spray the foil with nonstick cooking spray.
2. On a large baking sheet, toss the old-fashioned oat, the wheat germ, and the cinnamon together. Toast in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, until lightly browned and fragrant.
3. In the meantime, in a large pot, combine the peanut butter, canola oil, honey, and blueberry Smuckers. Over medium heat, bring to a low boil, then reduce heat and barely simmer for 5-7 minutes.
4. After the oats mixture has been removed from the oven, add to the peanut butter and jelly on the stovetop, along with the honey-roasted peanuts and the Blueberry Craisins. Turn off heat and stir all ingredients until mixed well.
5. Press the granola mixture evenly into the prepared pan, using wax paper if necessary. Bake at 350 degrees F for 20-30 minutes, until golden brown. Remove from oven and cool, preferably at least 4-6 hours to give the texture a chance to set up. Cut into squares and enjoy!
These tasty little squares are delicious and really pack a nutritious punch! Full of protein, dried fruit, and fiber, your kids will never know that what they are eating is so good for them!
One of the wonderful things about this recipe is how versatile it is. Use your favorite kind of peanut butter, whether it be smooth or chunky, along with your preferred flavor of jelly and correlating dried fruit. Grape jelly with raisins would be a great alternative!
What is your favorite way to use peanut butter and jelly? Have you ever used them in a way other than the classic sandwich pairing?
Source: If It Bakes You Happy
So, today she is posting here and I am posting on her blog, If It Bakes You Happy. So head over there to see my Peanut Butter and Jelly Thumbprint Cookies and all of her other yummy dishes! We've chosen a PBJ theme for today's posts because it's National PBJ Day! Hope you like Amber's take on this American classic!
Peanut Butter and Jelly are one of America's most classic combinations, and this delicious duo has inspired many a sandwich and sweet treat since they met in the early 1900's. Well, today is their day! It's National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day, so of course I had to celebrate!
After much debate, I decided I wanted to try to create something that I felt was an original and somewhat innovative twist on this traditional pairing. I thought for quite awhile, and in the midst of my wandering thoughts, I remembered how I had been aching to make some homemade granola bars for awhile now. The two thoughts met, collided, and became one… The creation sparked from this idea I know call Peanut Butter and Jelly Granola Cookie Squares, and here is the recipe!
Peanut Butter and Jelly Granola Cookie Squares
- 3 1/2 cups old-fashioned oats
- 1/2 cup wheat germ
- 1 tsp. cinnamon
- 3/4 cup honey-roasted peanuts, coarsely chopped
- 1 5-ounce bag Blueberry Craisins
- 1 cup peanut butter
- 3 tablespoons canola oil
- 1/3 cup honey
- 2/3 cup Smuckers Simply Fruit Blueberry
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 9x13" baking pan with aluminum foil, leaving excess at each end to create handles for easy removal later. Lightly spray the foil with nonstick cooking spray.
2. On a large baking sheet, toss the old-fashioned oat, the wheat germ, and the cinnamon together. Toast in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, until lightly browned and fragrant.
3. In the meantime, in a large pot, combine the peanut butter, canola oil, honey, and blueberry Smuckers. Over medium heat, bring to a low boil, then reduce heat and barely simmer for 5-7 minutes.
4. After the oats mixture has been removed from the oven, add to the peanut butter and jelly on the stovetop, along with the honey-roasted peanuts and the Blueberry Craisins. Turn off heat and stir all ingredients until mixed well.
5. Press the granola mixture evenly into the prepared pan, using wax paper if necessary. Bake at 350 degrees F for 20-30 minutes, until golden brown. Remove from oven and cool, preferably at least 4-6 hours to give the texture a chance to set up. Cut into squares and enjoy!
These tasty little squares are delicious and really pack a nutritious punch! Full of protein, dried fruit, and fiber, your kids will never know that what they are eating is so good for them!
One of the wonderful things about this recipe is how versatile it is. Use your favorite kind of peanut butter, whether it be smooth or chunky, along with your preferred flavor of jelly and correlating dried fruit. Grape jelly with raisins would be a great alternative!
What is your favorite way to use peanut butter and jelly? Have you ever used them in a way other than the classic sandwich pairing?
Source: If It Bakes You Happy
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