Peanut Butter Jelly TIme....

I don't know about you but every time I hear "peanut butter..jelly" I hear my 2 sons sing that irritatingly cute song by the same title.  There are 2 that they sing all of the time because they think they are cute (well..they are :) and last night was no exception.  I told them what I was making for dessert and they serenaded me as I cut up strawberries.

This dessert is pretty easy and I mean that.  If you can use a mixer and you are patient when the bar is cooling you will have no problems.  Let the butter come to room temperature, that really helps.  The bar (base) is similar to a peanut butter cookie/bar.  I have used chunky peanut butter and I don't like it quite as well.  I also mix in 2 TB of milled flax seed to boost the nutrition as well as use reduced sugar (or homemade if I have it) jam or preserves.  I really think if you go full sugar it will be a little too sweet but that is just my opinion.

I have made this 3 times and my biggest suggestions would be to spray a little Pam on the foil that lines your pan and let the bars COMPLETELY COOL in the dish before you try to take them out.  I like to zest a little lime over the top when it is finished but I didn't have one on hand today :)


Strawberry Bars

3/4 C unsalted butter at room temperature
3/4 C peanut butter
1 C packed light brown sugar
1/2 C granulated sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
2 1/4 C all purpose flour
1/2 C strawberry jam
4 C sliced strawberries

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line a 13x9x2 baking pan with foil.  Lightly spray with Pam.
In a large bowl beat butter and peanut butter.  Beat in sugars, b. powder and salt until combined.  Add eggs and vanilla, beat until combined. 

Beat in as much flour as you can with mixer then use a spatula.  Batter will be thick.
Spread batter in pan and smooth out.  Bake 25 minutes or until lightly browned.

Cool completely in pan before inverting onto a serving dish.  Spread jam over the top evenly.  Lastly, add a layer of sliced strawberries.  I like to add a little lime zest at the end but that is optional.

I also like to add this topping to cooled peanut butter cookies.  Always a hit with my kids :)