Irresistible Homemade Peanut Butter Fudge Jumbles: The Ultimate Revel Bars Recipe
For many, the jingle of “Fudge Jumbles” evokes a powerful sense of nostalgia, a sweet echo from childhood kitchens and the beloved boxed mixes of the 1980s. These iconic treats, also widely known as Revel Bars, were a staple in countless homes, famous for their unique layered texture and undeniably delicious flavor. Pillsbury introduced them as a convenient boxed mix, quickly winning hearts across America. While they may have been discontinued from store shelves, their legacy lives on, and the good news is: crafting these delightful bars from scratch is not only entirely achievable but also incredibly rewarding. If you’ve been yearning for that perfect blend of chewy oatmeal and rich, fudgy goodness, you’ve come to the right place. Our homemade Peanut Butter Fudge Jumbles recipe promises to transport you straight back to those cherished memories, delivering a fresh, flavorful, and ultimately satisfying dessert that outshines any memory of a mix.
What Exactly Are Peanut Butter Fudge Jumbles (Revel Bars)?
So, what makes a Peanut Butter Fudge Jumble so uniquely appealing? Imagine a dessert that transcends the ordinary cookie or brownie. These aren’t just bars; they’re an experience in layers and textures. At their core, Fudge Jumbles are soft oatmeal bars with a generous, luscious layer of easy condensed milk fudge nestled in the center. The foundation is a chewy, hearty oatmeal base, providing a satisfying texture and a hint of rustic flavor. Above this, you’ll find a moist and decadent fudge filling, rich with chocolate and the creamy sweetness of condensed milk. Finally, the top layer echoes the bottom with more oatmeal “jumbles” – soft, crumbly pieces that bake to a golden perfection, adding yet another dimension of texture and flavor. It’s a symphony of chewiness, moistness, and fudgy delight in every single bite. Unlike a traditional cookie, they have a substantial, bar-like structure, and while they possess the richness of a brownie, the prominent oatmeal elements give them a distinct character that sets them apart. They’re truly in a league of their own!
A Trip Down Memory Lane: The Pillsbury Revel Bar Legacy
The story of Fudge Jumbles begins with Pillsbury’s iconic boxed mix in the 1980s. During an era when convenience foods were king, these Revel Bars quickly became a household favorite. Their ease of preparation from a mix made them a go-to for busy parents and aspiring young bakers alike. The commercial jingle was catchy, describing the layers perfectly: “The bottom’s chewy oatmeal, the middle’s moist and fudgy, and the topping has more oatmeal. Fudge Jumbles!” It’s a jingle that has, for many, stubbornly remained a earworm, prompting a nostalgic craving for this particular treat. The discontinuation of the Pillsbury mix left a void in many dessert repertoires, leading home bakers to seek out scratch-made versions. Our recipe aims to fill that void, not just by replicating the flavors and textures, but by elevating them. Making them from scratch allows for superior ingredients, fresher taste, and the unparalleled satisfaction of creating a beloved classic right in your own kitchen.
Peanut Butter Fudge Jumbles and Pan Size: Getting it Right
This recipe, while incredibly delicious, yields a significant quantity of bars, making them perfect for potlucks, parties, or sharing with friends and family. Given their rich and indulgent nature, these bars are best enjoyed when cut into small, manageable pieces. The recipe specifically calls for a 15×10 inch pan, commonly known as a jelly roll pan, which is ideal for achieving the perfect thickness and generous yield. However, we understand that not everyone needs such a large batch, or perhaps you find yourself with a half-can of sweetened condensed milk from another recipe. The good news is that this recipe is incredibly forgiving and halves beautifully! If you choose to make a half batch, a standard 9-inch square pan works perfectly, yielding fewer but equally delightful bars. This flexibility ensures you can enjoy these Peanut Butter Fudge Jumbles whether you’re feeding a crowd or simply indulging a smaller craving. Remember, using the correct pan size is crucial for achieving the desired texture and bake time, so choose wisely based on your needs.
Achieving the Perfect Soft and Bendy Crust
While delicious no matter what, if you aspire to achieve Fudge Jumbles with an exceptionally soft and pliable, almost “bendy” crust, there are a couple of expert tips you can employ. For a full 15×10 inch batch, try a technique that involves setting your jelly roll pan on a slightly smaller baking sheet. The goal is to have the larger pan resting on the rims of the smaller sheet, creating a layer of air space between the two pan bottoms. This air gap acts as insulation, preventing the bottom crust from baking too quickly or becoming overly crisp. It allows for a more gentle and even bake, resulting in that wonderfully soft and tender texture that truly elevates these bars. Another fantastic way to guarantee soft and bendy bars is by utilizing stoneware. Stoneware distributes heat remarkably evenly and slowly, which is ideal for achieving a consistently tender crumb throughout baked goods. I personally used a 9-inch Pampered Chef stoneware pan for the batch pictured above, and the results were absolutely perfect. The stoneware performed beautifully, though it only accommodated a half batch of the recipe, leaving me with half a can of condensed milk – a delightful excuse to bake another batch soon! If you don’t have stoneware, the ‘pan-on-pan’ method is an excellent alternative. Experiment with these tips to find your preferred crust texture!
Flavor Variations and Customization Tips
One of the joys of baking from scratch is the freedom to customize and experiment. While the classic Peanut Butter Fudge Jumbles are undeniably perfect as they are, don’t hesitate to get creative with variations. For a different twist, consider swapping out the peanut butter for almond butter or even a hazelnut spread like Nutella in the base. The fudge layer can also be modified; instead of semi-sweet chocolate chips, try milk chocolate, dark chocolate, or a mix of different chocolates for varying levels of sweetness and intensity. For an extra layer of texture and flavor in the fudge, you could stir in chopped nuts (like walnuts or pecans), mini marshmallows, or even a sprinkle of sea salt to enhance the chocolate. The oatmeal topping offers further opportunities for personalization: add a handful of mini chocolate chips, peanut butter chips (as suggested in the recipe notes), M&Ms, or even some sprinkles for a festive touch. A drizzle of melted white chocolate or caramel over the cooled bars would also make a stunning and delicious addition. These simple tweaks can transform your Fudge Jumbles into a brand new favorite, tailored precisely to your taste preferences.
Serving and Storing Your Fudge Jumbles
Proper serving and storage are key to enjoying your Peanut Butter Fudge Jumbles to their fullest. Patience is a virtue when it comes to cutting these bars. It is absolutely crucial to let them cool completely on a wire rack before attempting to slice them. If you cut them while still warm, the fudge layer will be too soft, resulting in messy, crumbly pieces rather than neat, defined squares. Once thoroughly cooled, use a sharp knife for clean cuts. You can run the knife under hot water and wipe it dry between cuts for even smoother edges. For storage, these bars will keep beautifully at room temperature for up to 3-4 days when stored in an airtight container. If you live in a warm climate or prefer a firmer fudge, you can store them in the refrigerator, but allow them to come to room temperature for about 15-20 minutes before serving to ensure the best soft and chewy texture. For longer storage, Fudge Jumbles freeze exceptionally well. Wrap individual bars or the entire slab tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature or in the refrigerator overnight when you’re ready to enjoy a sweet treat.
The Ultimate Dessert Bar for Any Occasion
Whether you’re hosting a gathering, looking for a comforting treat, or simply want to relive a taste of the past, Peanut Butter Fudge Jumbles are the perfect choice. Their combination of rich flavors, varied textures, and comforting appeal makes them a crowd-pleaser for any occasion. They’re substantial enough to be a satisfying dessert, yet easily cut into smaller bites for a sweet snack. The process of making them from scratch is incredibly rewarding, allowing you to control the quality of ingredients and infuse them with your own touch. Forget the disappointment of a discontinued boxed mix; with this recipe, you can bring the magic of homemade Revel Bars back to life, creating new memories with an old favorite. Don’t let the jingle be the only thing stuck in your head – let the delightful taste of these homemade Peanut Butter Fudge Jumbles linger on your palate, proving that some classics are truly timeless.
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Recipe
Peanut Butter Fudge Jumbles
Anna
Pin Recipe
Equipment
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1 15×10 inch pan
Ingredients
- 12 tablespoons salted butter, or use unsalted and add an extra ½ scant teaspoon salt (170 grams)
- ¼ cup peanut butter, sweetened (like Jif) (64 grams)
- 1 cup dark brown sugar, tightly packed (220 grams)
- ¾ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour (195 grams)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 cups quick cooking oats (not instant) (140 grams)
- 1 large egg
Fudge Filling
- 14 oz sweetened condensed milk
- 2 tablespoons butter (28 grams)
- 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 C). Line a 15×10 inch rimmed metal pan (jelly roll pan) with parchment paper or non-stick foil, allowing some overhang for easy removal.
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In a large bowl, combine the softened butter, peanut butter, dark brown sugar, and vanilla extract. Beat by hand or on low speed of a mixer until just blended and creamy. In a separate small bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, salt, baking soda, and quick-cooking oats. Gradually add these dry ingredients to the wet batter and stir until just combined and blended.
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Set aside about 1 ⅓ cups (approximately 260 grams) of this peanut butter oat mixture. This will be used for the topping later.
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Stir the large egg into the remaining peanut butter mixture in the bowl. Scrape this mixture into your prepared pan and use dampened fingers to press it evenly into a thin layer across the bottom.
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To achieve a softer crust, set the jelly roll pan on a slightly smaller rimmed pan so that it rests on the smaller pan’s rims, creating an insulating air gap underneath. Bake for 15 minutes. Alternatively, you can set it directly on the oven rack. Let the crust cool for about a half hour after baking.
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For the fudge filling: In a small saucepan, combine the sweetened condensed milk, 2 tablespoons of butter, and semisweet chocolate chips. Heat over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the chocolate chips are completely melted and the mixture is smooth and well combined. Remove from heat and stir in 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Pour this warm fudge mixture evenly over the partially cooled crust.
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Break up the reserved peanut butter oat mixture into small lumps (these are your “jumbles”) and scatter them evenly over the top of the warm fudge filling. Note: If you happen to have some peanut butter chips, they make an excellent addition scattered on top as well!
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Return the pan to the oven (again, resting on the rim of the smaller pan if desired for a softer texture) and bake for an additional 25 minutes, or until the peanut butter oat topping is golden brown and lightly set. Transfer the pan to a cooling rack and allow the bars to cool completely to room temperature. This is crucial for clean slicing. Once absolutely and completely cool, use the parchment paper overhang to lift the entire slab from the pan and cut into desired serving pieces. Store leftovers covered at room temperature or freeze for longer preservation.
Notes