Recipe: Peanut Butter and Jelly Bars

I co-hosted a bridal shower today, for the daughter of a long-time friend and colleague. I had to prepare a dessert item, and I made these bars. I found the recipe via the Cooking Light message boards, and they were an HUGE hit! They're incredibly rich, sweet, decadent - and YUMMY! Thumbs up! Peanut Butter and Jelly Bars Copyright 2005, Ina Garten, All Rights Reserved

1/2 pound (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature 1 1/2 cups sugar 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 2 extra-large eggs, at room temperature 2 cups (18 ounces) creamy peanut butter (recommended: Skippy) 3 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt 1 1/2 cups (18 ounces) raspberry jam or other jam 2/3 cups salted peanuts, coarsely chopped Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9 by 13 by 2-inch cake pan. Line it with parchment paper, then grease and flour the pan. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, 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 all ingredients are combined. In a small bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt. With the mixer on low speed, slowly add the flour mixture to the peanut butter mixture. Mix just until combined. Spread 2/3 of the dough into the prepared cake pan and spread over the bottom with a knife or offset spatula. 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; it will spread in the oven. Sprinkle with chopped peanuts and bake for 45 minutes, until golden brown. Cool and cut into squares. Note: You can easily half the recipe, and put in an 8 inch pan.