Peanut Butter Cookie Bars
Ingredients:
1 cup creamy peanut butter
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
½ cup packed brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
Optional: 1 cup chocolate chips (milk, semi-sweet, or peanut butter chips)
Instructions:
Preheat & Prepare the Pan:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Grease and line a 9x13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
Cream the Wet Ingredients:
In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
Add the Peanut Butter & Eggs:
Stir in the peanut butter until fully combined.
Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
Mix the Dry Ingredients:
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
Combine Wet & Dry Ingredients:
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
Optional: Fold in the chocolate chips for added sweetness and texture.
Press & Bake:
Press the dough evenly into the prepared baking pan.
Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the center is set.
Cool & Slice:
Let the bars cool completely in the pan.
Once cooled, use the parchment paper to lift the bars out of the pan and cut into squares.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 12
Enjoy these soft, peanut buttery cookie bars!