Fresh Strawberry Bars

How would you like to make Fresh Strawberry Bars? A juicy strawberry topping makes these tender peanut butter cookies a treat to eat. To make the cookies ahead, freeze the bars then top with the berries just before serving.

Ingredients

* 3/4 cup butter, softened
* 3/4 cup peanut butter
* 1 cup packed brown sugar
* 1/2 cup granulated sugar
* 2 tsp. baking powder
* 1/4 tsp. salt
* 2 eggs
* 1 tsp. vanilla
* 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
* 1/2 cup strawberry jam
* 4 cups small whole strawberries, halved or quartered

Directions

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Line 13x9x2-inch baking pan with foil, extending foil beyond the edges. Set aside.

2. In large mixing bowl beat butter and peanut butter on medium to high for 30 seconds. Beat in sugars, baking powder, and salt until combined. Add eggs and vanilla; beat until combined. Beat in as much flour as you can with mixer. Stir in remaining flour.

3. Spread dough in prepared pan. Bake 25 minutes or until top is lightly browned and toothpick inserted near center comes out clean.

4. Cool completely on rack. Remove from pan by lifting foil. Spread jam and top with berries. Cut into bars. Serve at once or refrigerate up to 6 hours. Makes 24 bars

Make Ahead: Wrap the peanut butter base in foil; store at room temperature up to 24 hours. Before serving, top with jam and berries. Or freeze the peanut butter base in a freezer container up to 3 months.

source:BHG.com