Peanut Butter Bars

I was at Costco the other day and noticed fresh strawberries! That means summer is right around the corner, right?  When I see strawberries I think of eating them plain OR making dessert.  This is one of my families favorite desserts….it has peanut butter so you can’t go wrong in my house.  

Peanut Butter Bars

3/4 cup butter, softened

3/4 cup peanut butter

1 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 cup granulated sugar

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 cup strawberry jam

4 cups small whole strawberries, halved or quartered

{My middle son is allergic to strawberries so there is one little serving that only has grape jelly on it}

1.  Heat oven to 350°F.  Line 12x9x2-inch baking pan with foil, extending foil beyond edges.  Set aside.

2.  In large mixing bowl beat butter and peanut butter on medium to high for 30 seconds.  Beat in sugars, baking powder, and salt until combined.  Add eggs and vanilla; beat until combined.  Beat in as much flour as you can with mixer.  Stir in remaining flour.

3.  Spread dough in prepared pain.  Bake 25 minutes or until top is lightly browned and toothpick inserted near center comes out clean.

4.  Cool completely on rack.  Remove from pan by lifting foil.

Spread jam and top with berries.  Cut into bars.  Serve at once or refrigerate to serve later.  Makes 24 bars.

I add whipped cream to just about everything!

These were great without any topping at all-moist and dense…almost like a peanut butter brownie!

Make ahead: Wrap the peanut butter base in foil; store at room temperature up to 24 hours.  Before serving, top with jam and berries or freeze the peanut butter base in a freezer container up to 3 months.  For individual servings, cut the base in portions and freeze.  Pull a portion from the freezer, thaw, and top with jam and berries for a last-minute dessert.

{Adapted from a Better Homes and Gardens Recipe}

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