Beyond the Lunchbox: When Peanut Butter and Jelly Meet Bar Cookie
Friday, June 12, 2009 
No doubt about it, peanut butter and jelly have enjoyed an enduring love affair that is basically the stuff of culinary history. But it's come time for them to abandon the bread and become awesomer than they could ever be as mere elements of a sandwich: it's time that we all pause to greet the peanut butter and jelly bar.
This baby was discovered at Ciao For Now's East Village, NYC location. Ciao for Now is a sweet little bakery specializing in organic treats (many of which are also vegan!). Though their menu does vary day by day, this peanut butter and jelly cookie bar instantly captured my attention on a recent visit. Served in thick, dense wedges, this bar is weighty--but oh so rewarding. It all starts with a thick cookie-like crust on top of which is sandwiched a thick layer of peanut butter and a sliver of jelly, which is then all topped with an oaty-nutty-crumbly topping. It's sort of like a mazurka bar, but with peanut butter.
And in my humble opinion? This bar is perfect. The peanut butter adds a decadent richness to the bar, but the jelly adds a slight tart contrast which brings together the savory peanut butter and sweet crumb topping. In fact, the only problem may be the fact that I didn't buy two.
bakeries, cakespy undercover
Reader Comments (19)
Oh yum! Peanut butter and jelly in bar form...delicious!
Sound delicious!
Wow! The combination of sweet and salt flavors for a sweet treaty is always a guaranteed success!
When I was little (in the early 80s) there was a dessert mix you could buy at the grocery store called Peanut Butter Jumbles or something like that.... exactly like that! I can taste it now!
this looks absolutely delish!!!
Yummy!
Ok, now I'll have to start saving money to go to NYC.
This looks perfect. What a great combo! I have to try it!
You should try Ina Garten's recipe for Peanut Butter and Jelly bars.
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/peanut-butter-and-jelly-bars-recipe/index.html
mmmm! Looks yummy. All it needs to be perfect is a tall glass of cold milk.
oh i qant one right now yummy !
i like it when you come east because suddenly there's a bunch of places *i* can go :)
Get. In. My. Belly.
That sounds SO wonderful. Will have to try a low carb version. I love the positive tone of your writing. Makes this blog very enjoyable to read! :)
I waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaant oneeeeeeeeeeee!
Their muffins are really good as well...and love that they are square! I always stopped by early in the morning, so now I'm kicking myself for not having tried this.
Brilliant! These look delicious!
I've made PB&J bars before and they are amazing. They always get rave reviews. Here's a good recipe - http://jamieofalltrades.typepad.com/my_weblog/2008/11/peanut-butter-and-jelly-bars.html
That looks SO good! I don't know about that sweets place. I'll have to visit!