PB&J Bars

PB&J Bars

Ingredients:

2 sticks unsalted butter, at room temperature

1 1/2 cups sugar

1 tsp pure vanilla paste

2 large eggs

2 cups creamy peanut butter

3 cups all-purpose flour

1 tsp baking powder

1 1/2 tsp kosher salt

1 1/2 cups strawberry jam

1/2 cup honey roasted peanuts, coarsely chopped

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9x13 by 2-inch cake pan. Line it with parchment paper allowing sides to hang over. Make sure and grease well with non stick cooking spray.

In a large bowl beat together the butter and sugar till light and creamy. Add in the vanilla paste, eggs and peanut butter. Beat well till fluffy.

Using a medium sized bowl combine the flour, baking powder and salt. Toss to combine. Gradually add in the flour to the creamy butter mixture on low. Mix till all flour is combined. Using 2/3 of the peanut butter dough, press into the bottom of the baking pan. Spread the entire jar of jam over the top of the dough. Drop spoonfuls of left over dough over the top of the jelly. Sprinkle with honey roasted peanuts. Bake for 45 minutes in the center of the oven or until golden brown.

Remove from the oven and allow to cool thoroughly before cutting. Using the "parchment sling" remove from pan and cut into squares.