Paleo almond butter and jam bars reminiscent of my favorite sandwich of all time! Now, with the addition of a chocolate layer and easy homemade strawberry jam, they become a healthy yet decadent tasting dessert. They are also paleo, vegan, and no bake!
Adam, like many husbands, doesn’t have the greatest memory, but one thing about me that’s burned into his memory is my love for PB & J. You see, long ago we used to work together, and every single day he will tell you that I ate a homemade peanut butter, jelly, and banana sandwich for lunch, many times right at a meeting. Please don’t leave out the bananas, they made that sandwich all is was meant to be.
He will tell you this and it’s not an exaggeration at all. In fact, what he didn’t know, was that I probably ate that same exact sandwich for lunch every weekday for the better part of 10 years. While I’m over it now (10 years is a long time) I still have lots of love for PB&J, and since there’s this whole paleo thing that’s been going on for almost 2 years, it’s about time that I start recreating rekindling that lost love.
And, dude, there’s chocolate involved this time. Because after all, this is dessert, and I said I wanted chocolate! So did you.
I know what you’re thinking. Fine, I don’t actually know if you’re thinking at all, but I need a transition, and then again, you might be thinking this. There are no bananas visible in this recipe. And that is true, but please for the love of jam feel free as a bird to slice some bananas to top these dessert bars before serving. Then they might just be epic, and you know I don’t use that word lightly.
Paleo Almond Butter Jam Bars with Chocolate
Ingredients
- For the jam layer
- 1/2 lb strawberries frozen or fresh*
- 1 tbsp coconut sugar
- * 1 tsp water ONLY if using fresh
- For the chocolate layer
- 3/4 cup dark chocolate chips - I used Enjoy Life brand
- 1/4 cup creamy almond butter
- 2 tbsp coconut oil
- For the almond butter layer
- 1/2 cup creamy almond butter
- 2 tsp coconut oil melted and cooled slightly
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 2 tbsp full fat coconut milk
- 2 tsp coconut sugar
Instructions
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Start by making the chocolate layer. In a small saucepan over low heat, combine the chocolate chips, almond butter, and coconut oil and stir until melted and fully combined.
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Remove from heat, and, using a rubber spatula, transfer and spread all the chocolate into an 8 x 8 inch baking dish lined with parchment paper. Set aside to chill either in the freezer.
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Now make the jam layer. In a medium saucepan over low heat combine the strawberries and coconut sugar, plus water if using fresh strawberries.
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Increase the meat to medium and cook, stirring often, breaking up the strawberries as they soften.
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Once the strawberries are broken down and the mixture is boiling after 15-20 minutes, lower the heat and allow to simmer, stirring occasionally, for another 10-15 minutes. You should have a thick and syrupy mixture at that point. Remove from heat and allow to fully cool.
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Now the almond butter layer. In a small bowl, combine all the ingredients and stir well until smooth and creamy.
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Again using a rubber spatula, transfer and spread the almond butter mixture over the cooled chocolate layer to fully cover it. Scrape the sides of the bowl to use all of it.
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Once the jam has cooled, spread it out evenly over the almond butter. Cover the baking dish with plastic wrap and chill in the freezer until solid, 1-2 hours.
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Cut into squares and enjoy!
Nutrition
What’s your favorite peanut butter/nut butter combo?
Have you made your own jam?
Did you ever have a go-to weekday lunch that you ate for years?
chasetheredgrape says
July 7, 2015 at 5:19 amOh wow Michelle you have created a wee gem here!
PB & J isn’t a thing in the UK, infact PB sandwiches are quite rare. On toast is quite common but that’s about it! I did used to like a PB sandwich (pre paleo) but used to get some funny looks!
My favourite combo is almond butter and dates… So good!
Michele says
July 7, 2015 at 2:35 pmKind of the same idea, with how sweet the dates are! Hope you try this 🙂
Lisa @ Running Out Of Wine says
July 7, 2015 at 5:19 amI ate PB and J for many years growing up. As an adult, I mostly lived off of turkey sandwiches. Now its salads every day. So I definitely get into habit with my lunches! These look amazing.
Michele says
July 7, 2015 at 2:37 pmI was never a turkey sandwich fan but ate them sometimes because of how “healthy” I thought they were! It’s so easy to fall into lunch habits especially when you pack your own.
The Cookie ChRUNicles says
July 7, 2015 at 5:20 amThese bars look awesome. I totally could live on pb & j sandwiches and absolutely go through phases where I do just that for days on end. Actually, I lived on English muffins with pb for breakfast for 7 years followed by a toasted bialy with melted mozzarella cheese and tomato for lunch for years too. Why change it up if you like it?
Michele says
July 7, 2015 at 2:39 pmI love how the years fly by and we barely realize it’s been that long eating the same thing! Tomatoes and cheese is great, one of my pregnancy cravings was grilled cheese with bacon and tomato, which I had for breakfast every day 🙂
Skinny Fitalicious says
July 7, 2015 at 7:05 amSo delicious! I love that you added chocolate. Is that how you and your husband met at work?
Michele says
July 7, 2015 at 2:39 pmYes! He’s a psychologist and I’m a social worker, lots of fun convos here 🙂
Mollie K. says
July 7, 2015 at 3:32 pmwhat kind of setting do you guys work in?? I am a school psychologist 🙂
Michele says
July 7, 2015 at 7:11 pmWe met working at a college counseling center but I went on to work in a psychiatric center, haven’t worked since my second was born though! My husband is director of a counseling center now.
SuzLyfe says
July 7, 2015 at 7:10 amI made preach preserves as a bridal shower favor for the bridal shower I catered. WIth fresh VA peaches that I picked myself! They were quite a hit!
Michele says
July 7, 2015 at 2:41 pmThat sounds so fabulous. Maybe one day I will be that person who makes jam out of fruit grown in their own yard. But something I picked on my own is the next best thing 🙂
Jamie says
July 7, 2015 at 7:35 amI used to make beach plum jelly with my grandmother every summer! Brings back so many good memories : ) I used to eat omelets for lunch every day in grad school. I have no idea why, but they were always tasty and filling. And I cannot handle these bars… I want to reach through the computer screen and take one! : ) Have a great day!!
Michele says
July 7, 2015 at 2:43 pmThat sounds delicious! Omelets are so good and clearly I’m an egg fan so I don’t blame you. Hope you try theses 🙂
breathedeeplyandsmile says
July 7, 2015 at 8:31 amThese look SO good. I am a PB&J crazed lady. I loved it as a kid and in recent years I have it all the time. Or PB&J crackers!
Michele says
July 7, 2015 at 2:44 pmMy mom used to eat PB&J on ritz crackers for years for really any meal. Yum!
AmandaM says
July 7, 2015 at 9:09 amI have peanut butter or almond butter with jam on chickpea/coconut flour with chia seed pancakes 6 out of 7 evenings a week 🙂
Michele says
July 7, 2015 at 2:44 pmYum! I don’t eat pancakes enough.
runningwitherasers says
July 7, 2015 at 9:23 amThis sounds delicious! I’m not a paleo eater, per se, but a lot of the recipes look great. Thanks for sharing!
Michele says
July 7, 2015 at 2:45 pmThanks! You don’t have to eat paleo at all to like these 🙂
suzysuzyheather says
July 7, 2015 at 10:24 amUGH YES! I had peanut butter sandwiches every day in my elementary school years. A sandwich, an apple, and an apple juice container. I never ate my apple, and I still love peanut butter. These look SO yummy!
Michele says
July 7, 2015 at 2:46 pmThey are so good and in my opinion stand up the best as a packed lunch. Other sandwiches and the bread just got gross!
Danielle says
July 7, 2015 at 10:37 amOh these look incredible!!! I love homemade jam, my favorite is fig. Yummy. I had a phase when I was a kid that all I would eat was light toast with plain turkey, boy was that strange to my family! I think I was rebellious towards all the ethnic food we ate. lol:)
Michele says
July 7, 2015 at 2:47 pmI’ve never made fig jam or even thought about it. Now I must try! Plain turkey and toast, glad you’re past that phase 😉
Strength and Sunshine says
July 7, 2015 at 11:13 amSomeone’s turning into the budding food blogger 😉 I like it!
A nut butter/fruit sandwich is a staple still! I love to toast my GF bread (till it’s like burnt) and then slather on sunflower butter or almond butter usually, and then a simple fruit butter! And I just made my own chia jam for the first time a few weeks ago which rocked!
But o how the fond memories of eating a super soft 100% whole WHEAT bread PB+J made by my mom and sliced diagonally, wrapped in plastic wrap, for lunch at school will forever be in the back of my mind 😉
Michele says
July 7, 2015 at 2:49 pmHaha thanks Rebecca, I had a surge of recipes but not sure how long it can last! I should try out some chia jam. Fruit butter also sounds yummy, I used to eat apple butter from TJ’s back in the day now that I think of it, yum 🙂
And I agree on the diagonal cut, no other way 😉
lifewithniki says
July 7, 2015 at 12:07 pmOh my goodness that jam looks so delectable! I cannot believe our paleo connoisseur here ate Pb&J everyday, that is just too cute :). I love any nut butter with chocolate, however you will find me topping my fruit, yogurt, veggies, and even protein sources like eggs and chicken with nut butter. It is just THAT good. Can’t wait to try this!
Michele says
July 7, 2015 at 2:50 pmI really did eat completely differently just 2 years ago, tons and tons of whole wheat bread and Kashi cereal! I have never thought to top eggs with nut butter, that is original!
Jen@jpabstfitness says
July 7, 2015 at 3:29 pmYes, please!!
Michele says
July 7, 2015 at 7:10 pmHope you try!
sweatyandfit says
July 7, 2015 at 3:53 pmi’m amazed at your commitment to PB&Js!! Although I have to admit that yes, they are certainly delicious! This bars look so yummy, i’m sure my boyfriend would approve if I made them for him 🙂
Michele says
July 7, 2015 at 7:12 pmIt was an easy commitment all those years 🙂
Felicia@Ingredient1 says
July 7, 2015 at 5:56 pmWe can’t get enough of nut butters! We recently became obsessed with Artisana. Do you have a favorite brand or do you always make your own?
Michele says
July 7, 2015 at 7:14 pmI love artisana but butters and coconut butter! I’m not married to any one brand though, so many are good.
Emily @ My Healthyish Life says
July 7, 2015 at 8:19 pmYUM! I had peanut butter and fluff sandwiches almost every day from kindergarten until the celiac era. I don’t think I’ve had homemade jam. But it looks worth making!
Michele says
July 8, 2015 at 2:26 pmDefinitely worth making! Doesn’t take long and very simple. PB & fluff is yummy!
cottercrunch says
July 7, 2015 at 10:32 pmyes, i so love this! i have a memory of it too. But mine was with my dad! He used to make me grilled pb &J! no homemade jam though. haha
Michele says
July 8, 2015 at 2:27 pmGrilled is so good, I did that a few times!
MamaRUNSforcupcakes (@suzy399) says
July 8, 2015 at 7:31 amThese look amazing! And I must say I’m happy they don’t have banana in them, I”m not a big fan of bananas! Can’t wait to try these out!
Michele says
July 8, 2015 at 2:32 pmHaha banana would have been overkill, unless you really love them 🙂
cookiesnchem says
July 14, 2015 at 2:36 pmThis looks so delicious! I can’t wait to try it. Loving all the ingredients. Thank you for the recipe! 🙂
Michele says
July 14, 2015 at 2:56 pmHope you try, it’s a really yummy treat and everyone likes it, paleo or not 🙂