Peanut Butter and Jelly Crunch Bars

Wowza! Imagine a crunchy PB&J that you can grab on your way out the door! These easy-to-make bars are truly spectacular. And, the recipe couldn't be simpler; it's basically a no-bake, "dump and stir" recipe, meaning everything comes together in one bowl (after the butter is melted with the honey). I made these with Rice Krispies, and after I devoured two, and sat back contentedly and thought, these would also work with Cocoa Krispies...

Like your PB&J with strawberry preserves? Go for it! Any fruit preserve works in the middle layer!

Peanut Butter and Jelly Crunch Bars

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
1/2 cup honey or pure maple syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup natural peanut butter
3 cups puffed rice cereal
1 cup oats, regular or quick-cooking
1/4 cup grape jam, or any preserves you want

Line an 8-inch square baking pan with 2 pieces of parchment paper (overlap the paper in opposite directions to cover the bottom and sides, with extra paper hanging over the sides - you'll use the extra paper to lift the bars out with ease). 
In a small saucepan, combine the butter and honey. Set the pan over medium-low heat and cook until the butter melts, stirring occasionally. Remove the pan from the heat and whisk in the peanut butter and vanilla.
Transfer the mixture to a large bowl and stir in the cereal and oats. Press half of the mixture into the prepared pan and smooth the surface. Top with the jam and spread out in an even layer. Press the remaining cereal mixture over the jam and smooth the surface. 
Refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour.
Cut into bars and serve. Refrigerate leftovers until ready to serve. 

Makes 16 bars