Peanut Butter & Jelly Bars - Ina Garten

***Sure...fancy, gourmet sandwiches might be tasty, but it's still hard to beat a yummy peanut butter & jelly sandwich.  There's just something about them that takes me back to my childhood and puts a smile on my face.  I still love them!

So, when I saw this recipe in Ina's cookbook, Barefoot Contessa at Home, I was thrilled.  I knew that I HAD to make them...like, yesterday!  I couldn't wait.

The results were just what I expected from an Ina recipe...Scrumptious!  Ina has definitely done it again with these bars.  Of course, the flavor combo is pretty unbeatable.  They'd be perfect to make for a party...Everyone is sure to ask you for the recipe!

The only change that I made was a decrease in the butter.  Instead of 2 full sticks, I only added about 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 sticks.  I'm sure my hips will thank me later.  ;-)

Bon Appetit!***

Peanut Butter and Jelly Bars

Source:  Barefoot Contessa at Home, by Ina Garten

Ingredients:

1/2 pound (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature

1 1/2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

2 extra-large eggs, at room temperature

2 cups (18 ounces) creamy peanut butter (recommended: Skippy)
3 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt

1 1/2 cups (18 ounces) raspberry jam or other jam
2/3 cups salted peanuts, coarsely chopped

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Grease a 9 by 13 by 2-inch cake pan. Line it with parchment paper, then grease and flour the pan.


In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugar on medium speed until light yellow, about 2 minutes. With the mixer on low speed, add the vanilla, eggs, and peanut butter and mix until all ingredients are combined.


In a small bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt. With the mixer on low speed, slowly add the flour mixture to the peanut butter mixture. Mix just until combined.


Spread 2/3 of the dough into the prepared cake pan and spread over the bottom with a knife or offset spatula. Spread the jam evenly over the dough. Drop small globs of the remaining dough evenly over the jam. Don't worry if all the jam isn't covered; it will spread in the oven. Sprinkle with chopped peanuts and bake for 45 minutes, until golden brown. Cool and cut into squares.