Peanut Butter & Strawberry Bars

The flavors of peanut butter and jelly with fresh strawberries makes these bars a favorite snack. The kids love helping with stirring and pressing the base into the pan and slicing strawberries with plastic knives. These are also good with a little chocolate drizzled over the top for extra flavor.

Hands-On Time: 10 minutes
Ready In: 30 minutes
Yield: 20 bars
Cost Per Serving: 20 cents

1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup light brown sugar, packed
2/3 cup creamy peanut butter
3 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup strawberry preserves or jam
1 quart strawberries

1. Heat oven to 375 degrees F and lightly grease a 9x13 baking pan.
2. Cream together butter, peanut butter and sugar. Add vanilla and eggs, one at a time, and stir well.
3. Combine flour, baking powder and salt and add to peanut butter mixture. Stir.
4. Spread into prepared pan and bake for 10-12 minutes, until the center is barely firm. Remove from oven and cool.
5. While bars are baking, hull and slice strawberries. Once base is cool, spread with jam and top with sliced strawberries. Cut into 20 bars.