Name: Peanut Butter and Jelly Cheesecake Bars
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 60 min
Total time: 90 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted.; 1 3/4 cups graham cracker crumbs.; 1/4 cup roasted peanuts, finely crushed.; 1/3 cup brown sugar.; 1 teaspoon kosher salt, divided.; 2 pounds cream cheese, softened.; 1 cup creamy peanut butter.; 1 cup sugar.; 4 large eggs.; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.; 1 cup Concord grape jelly.

A slice of cheesecake with a graham cracker crust, topped with a glossy cherry sauce and placed on a white plate. | recipesim.com

You won't believe how amazing these PB&J Cheesecake Bars are! I've taken our favorite childhood sandwich and transformed it into the most incredible dessert. The combination of creamy peanut butter cheesecake and sweet jelly topping brings back all those lunch box memories but in such a grown up delicious way. My family goes crazy for these every single time I make them.

Nostalgic Flavors Made Fancy

Every time I serve these bars people's faces light up with recognition. It's that perfect mix of familiar and fancy the smooth peanut butter cheesecake topped with glossy jelly just hits all the right notes. Kids devour them and adults get that happy nostalgic smile with every bite.

Let's Gather Our Ingredients

Graham Cracker Crumbs: 2 cups crushed really fine for the perfect base
Peanuts: ¼ cup chopped tiny if you want that extra crunch
Cream Cheese: 3 blocks make sure they're nice and soft
Peanut Butter: ¾ cup creamy works best here
Sugar: 1 cup just enough to make it sweet
Eggs: 3 large straight from the counter
Vanilla: 1 teaspoon pure vanilla is worth it
Grape Jelly: 1 cup use your favorite kind

Time to Bake

[Making Our Base]: First mix those graham crumbs with melted butter and peanuts if you're using them. Press it into your pan I like using a measuring cup to get it nice and even then give it a quick bake.
[Creating the Filling]: Beat your cream cheese until it's super fluffy then mix in peanut butter and sugar. The eggs go in one at a time and don't forget that splash of vanilla!
[Baking Time]: Pour your filling over the cooled crust and bake until it's just set. A little wiggle in the middle is perfect that's how we get that creamy texture.
[The Crowning Glory]: Once everything's cool warm up your jelly and spread it over top. Now the hardest part waiting for it to set!

A close-up of a slice of cheesecake topped with a red fruit glaze, showing a golden graham cracker crust. | recipesim.com

How These Bars Came to Be

I came up with these bars while making PB&J sandwiches for my kids' lunches one day. Something clicked and I thought why not turn this into a cheesecake? After several test runs in my kitchen this version became an instant family favorite.

Why You Can't Mess This Up

Here's a little secret the peanut butter actually helps prevent cracks in your cheesecake! And even if you get a tiny crack that gorgeous jelly layer covers everything perfectly. It's seriously the most forgiving cheesecake recipe I've ever made.

Pick Your Perfect Jelly

While grape jelly gives you that classic PB&J taste I love experimenting! Sometimes I use strawberry or raspberry jelly for something different. Just make sure you use jelly not jam it spreads so much better and gives you that beautiful shine on top.

Getting That Perfect Texture

Let me tell you my number one tip make sure everything's room temperature before you start. Cold cream cheese is the enemy of smooth cheesecake! And once those eggs go in mix gently we want it light and creamy not dense.

A close-up of a slice of cheesecake layered with creamy white filling and a glossy red fruit topping on a crumbly crust. | recipesim.com

Playing with Peanuts

Some days I'm craving extra crunch so I'll throw some chopped peanuts into the crust or sprinkle them on top. Other times I keep it smooth and creamy. Both ways are absolutely delicious it just depends what you're in the mood for.

Perfect for Any Occasion

I've brought these bars to everything from casual backyard barbecues to fancy holiday parties. They're always a hit! Try serving them with fresh berries on the side and don't forget a cold glass of milk it's the perfect combination.

Make Life Easier

Want to get ahead? Make these bars a day before you need them. The extra time in the fridge just makes them better! The flavors get even more amazing and they slice like a dream. Perfect when you're hosting and want to check something off your list early.

Saving Some for Later

These beauties keep wonderfully in the fridge for several days though they rarely last that long in my house! If you want to freeze them skip the jelly layer until you're ready to serve. Just thaw overnight in the fridge then add your jelly topping.

A close-up of a slice of layered cheesecake topped with a glossy red fruit glaze on a graham cracker crust. | recipesim.com

Mix It Up

Sometimes I get creative and swirl some chocolate through the filling or add crushed pretzels to the crust. My kids love helping me come up with new variations. As long as you keep that classic PB&J combo as your base you can't go wrong.

Kid Approved

My little ones absolutely love these bars! I cut them into smaller squares for tiny hands and sometimes let them warm up just a bit. The familiar flavors make them feel special but not too fancy it's the perfect kid friendly dessert.

Lighter Options

Need to lighten things up? Try reduced fat cream cheese or cut back on the sugar a bit. Just make sure your peanut butter is well stirred if you're using natural. Small tweaks can make these bars work for everyone.

Party Ready

The way these bars look on a dessert table is just gorgeous! Those layers and that shiny jelly top always catch everyone's eye. I love watching people do a double take when they realize it's a PB&J dessert.

A slice of cheesecake topped with a glossy red cherry glaze on a white plate. | recipesim.com

Perfect Slices Every Time

Want to know my secret for those clean cuts? I dip my knife in hot water and wipe it clean between each slice. Takes a little extra time but makes them look like they came from a fancy bakery! Sometimes I add a tiny dollop of whipped cream on top just to make them extra special.

Share the Love

These bars make the sweetest take home treats! I wrap individual pieces in pretty cellophane or pack them in little boxes for friends. Everyone loves taking home a piece of childhood wrapped in cheesecake form.

Your New Go-To Dessert

Once you make these bars you'll find yourself coming back to the recipe again and again. They're just that good! Plus there's something so special about sharing a dessert that brings back such happy memories.

Pure Joy in Every Bite

These PB&J Cheesecake Bars have become my signature dessert and for good reason. They're easy to make absolutely delicious and bring back those warm fuzzy feelings with every bite. Give them a try and watch how quickly they become your new favorite too!

A slice of creamy cheesecake topped with a shiny layer of cherry jelly and garnished with a cherry, served on a white plate with scattered peanuts. | recipesim.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Why beat cream cheese for 5 minutes?: Extended beating ensures the cream cheese and peanut butter are completely smooth, preventing lumps in the final cheesecake.
→ Why is the center still wobbly when done?: The center should be slightly wobbly when finished baking as it will continue to set while cooling. This prevents overbaking.
→ Why cool before adding jelly?: The cheesecake must be completely cool before adding the jelly layer to prevent the jelly from melting or becoming cloudy.
→ Why wipe the knife between cuts?: Wiping the knife keeps the layers distinct and prevents mixing of colors, resulting in cleaner, more professional-looking bars.
→ Can I use different jelly?: While Concord grape provides the classic PB&J taste, other jellies can be used for different flavor combinations.

Peanut Butter and Jelly Cheesecake Bars