Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Cookie Bars

Cookie bars are perfection in my mind -- all the deliciousness of a cookie without the fuss of scooping and transferring cookies sheets in and out of the oven.  Sometimes I like that fuss -- but tonight, I just wanted to bake something quick and easy.  I also needed to step away from the cookie dough as soon as possible (I'm ready for Lent to be over -- the more I can't have sweets, the more I want them!).

One Year Ago:  Peanut Butter and Jelly Bars

Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Cookie Bars

Source: adapted from Bake at 350

Yields:  16 bars

6 tablespoons unsalted butter

1/2 cup natural peanut butter

3/4 cup sugar

1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 cup flour

1/4 teaspoon coarse salt

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

1/2 cup salted chopped peanuts

Directions

Preheat oven to 350. Lightly grease an 8 x 8" pan

Whisk together the flour, salt and baking powder. Set aside.

Cream the butter and peanut butter together until smooth. Beat in the sugars until combined.  Add the eggs, one at a time, scraping down the bowl after each addition. Stir in the vanilla.  Stir in the flour mixture. Add the chocolate chips and chopped peanuts, stirring until combined.

Spread the batter into the prepared pan.  Bake for about 30- 32 minutes.  Cool completely before cutting.