24 bars
DESSERT
Ina Garten At Home (p. 170)
Unsalted butter - 2 sticks
Eggs - 2
Sugar - 1 1⁄2 cups
Vanilla extract - 1 tsp
Creamy peanut butter (or almond butter) - 2 cups
All-purpose flour - 3 cups
Baking powder - 1 tsp
Raspberry or other jam - 1 1⁄2 cups
Salted peanuts - 2⁄3 cup
Unsalted butter - bring to room temperature
Eggs - bring to room temperature
Peanuts - coarsely chop
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour a 9 x 13 x 2-inch baking pan.
In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment (or by hand), 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 well combined.
In a small bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder and 1 1⁄2 tsp salt. With the mixer on low speed, slowly add the flour mixture to the peanut butter mixture. Mix just until combined.
Spread two thirds of the dough into the prepared pan, using a knife to spread evenly. 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, the dough will spread when it bakes. Sprinkle with the chopped peanuts and bake for 45 minutes until golden brown. Cool and cut into squares.