PB&J Strawberry Cookie Bars

• Prep Time: 8 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Serves: 12
 
Strawberry preserves complements the crunchy, nutty peanuts just perfectly in this cookie bar. This wonderful homemade casual dessert or after-school snack is sure to transport adults back to warm childhood memories.

Why try? The combination of rich peanut butter and sweet fruit preserves—baked from scratch and served warm from the oven—is absolutely irresistible with a tall glass of ice cold milk.

Foodie Byte: Any fruit preserves can be substituted for the strawberry preserves in this recipe. Wrap these bars in parchment paper and tie with a ribbon for a unique bake sale item or portable picnic dessert.
 
Ingredients
• 8 ounces unsalted butter, diced, at room temperature (2 sticks)
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 2 large eggs, at room temperature
• 2 cups peanut butter
• 3 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1 (16 ounce) jar strawberry preserves (about 1¼ cups)
• 3/4 cup salted peanuts, chopped

Preparation
1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Beat butter with an electric mixer until smooth; add sugar gradually until well blended, about 2 minutes. Add vanilla, eggs, and peanut butter until combined.
3. Combine flour, baking powder and salt; add to butter mixture and mix until just combined.
4. Spread 2/3 of the dough mixture into a greased 13”x 9” baking dish; spread evenly with strawberry preserves and top with dollops of remaining dough.
5. Sprinkle with chopped peanuts and bake 45 minutes or until golden brown.
6. Place baking pan on wire rack to cool and cut into 12 even squares.