Martha's Peanut Butter and Jelly Bars

I found this recipe at Martha Stewart. At first I didn't care for it much, but I've discovered that by using a lot less salt, and refrigerating the bars before serving, they are very addictive. I've tweaked the recipe a bit here. If you try this one, I'll be interested to know what you think of it.


Ingredients
1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
3 cups all-purpose flour
1-1/2 cups sugar
2 large eggs
2-1/2 cups smooth peanut butter
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp vanilla extract
1-1/2 cups your favorite jam or jelly
2/3 cup peanuts, roughly chopped

Directions
1. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9-by-13-inch pan with butter and coat inside of pan with flour; set aside. Place butter and sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer and beat on medium-high speed until fluffy, about 2 minutes. On medium speed, add eggs and peanut butter; beat until combined, about 2 minutes.
2. Whisk together salt, baking powder, and flour. Add to bowl of mixer on low speed; combine. Add vanilla. Transfer two-thirds of mixture to prepared pan; spread evenly. Stir jam to make it smooth and easier to spread, then spread jam on top of peanut-butter mixture. Spoon remaining third of peanut-butter mixture on top of jam. Sprinkle with peanuts. Press peanuts lightly into peanut butter mixture.
3. Bake until golden, about 45 minutes. Cool completely before cutting into bars. Refrigerate for a chilly taste sensation.

Reader Recipe--Waffles a la Peanut Butter

This recipe comes from my oldest daughter, Allison, who has become a huge fan of The Peanut Butter Blog.

2 frozen waffles (she used chocolate chip)
peanut butter (she used chocolate peanut butter)
ice cream (she used Edy's Banana Nut)
whipped topping

Toast the waffles, spread each with peanut butter. Scoop ice cream onto the peanut butter side of one waffle, top with the other waffle (peanut butter side down). Add whipped topping.

This would also be good with Moose Tracks ice cream, and some roasted peanuts sprinkled on top.

This is Gabriel, my grandson. He seems to be less than thrilled that his mom won't let him enjoy the waffles.

Peanut Butter Cookie Tote Bag

I found this 1982 Peanut Butter Cookies Tote at Electric Nomad. Made with a recycled calendar featuring a recipe for peanut butter cookies on one side and a complete 1982 calendar on the other, it's a terrific way to show your love of peanut butter and the environment. A sweet bargain at only $27, this is a one-of-a-kind handcrafted bag.