Peanut Butter and Jelly Cheesecake Bars Are A Sophisticated Take On The Classic Sandwich

Yum!

Peanut butter and jelly is a classic recipe that has been beloved by kids and grown-ups alike since the 1940s. Peanut butter was first invented in 1890, and it is believed that PB and J’s first rose to fame around the time of World War II, in part thanks to GIs who added jelly to their peanut butter sandwiches to make them taste better.

In recent years, we have developed the peanut butter and jelly sandwich into a true art form, working it into Oreo sandwich cookies, donuts, macaroons, oatmeal and even pancakes.

And now, peanut butter and jelly cheesecake bars are turning this childhood favorite into a dessert that will suit people of any age.

With seven ingredients, you can make cheesecake bars that are filled with creamy peanut butter and sweet jelly flavor. This Kraft recipe uses seedless strawberry jam, but you can choose any flavor you desire.

Along with a cup of creamy peanut butter in the filling, crumbled peanut butter sandwich cookies are used to create a crust. Once baked and cooled, the jam is melted and spread on top of the set cheesecake.

There are many variations you can use in this recipe, such as trying a different kind of cookie for the crust. A peanut butter and chocolate sandwich cookie would make this recipe perfect for the chocoholics out there — try fudge-covered Nutter Butters or peanut butter Oreos.

At The Gold Lining Girl, Sarah uses shortening, brown sugar and oats to make the crust for her peanut butter and jelly cheesecake bars. She gently swirls the jam on top of the bars with a knife, making a pretty design that elevates this simple dessert to a whole other level.

The blogger at Spoon Fork Bacon makes their peanut butter and jelly cheesecake bars with potato chips. Yes, really! These plain, salted potato chips are the perfect complement to the sweetness of the jelly and the tang of sour cream, making the cheesecake extra-creamy and decadent.