Peanut Butter Blondies

I fall back on this recipe whenever I have a crowd to feed. This is a great substitute for a sheet cake and when you are asked to bring a dessert to a church picnic or similar event, you might want to keep these blondies in mind. They come together quickly and, in the relative scheme of things, they are inexpensive to make. I prefer to use butter in my baked goods, but, I've found through trial and error, that the texture of these bars is better when they are made with shortening. So, shortening, plain or butter-flavored, it is. I have one caution to share with you should you decide to make these. It is easy to over-bake the bars, so watch them carefully, starting at the 25 minute mark. You want them to be chewy, not crunchy. While ovens vary, my bars are usually done in 27 minutes. Be sure to frost the blondies. It may seem unnecessary, but the frosting adds another layer of flavor to the bars and helps to keep them moist and fresh. While the bars lack finesse, they are delicious and they are perfect for down-home type events. I found the recipe in Family Circle magazine and you can find their version of the recipe, here. If you take these to an event, I'd like to suggest you clearly label them, so those who have peanut allergies are not surprised. I know that those of you who try these bars will like them. Here's the recipe.

Peanut Butter Blondies

Ingredients:

Peanut Butter Bars
2 cups all-purpose flour

1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

1 cup shortening

1 cup creamy peanut butter

2 cups brown sugar, packed

3 eggs

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

1/4 cup peanuts, chopped

Frosting
1 pound confectioners' sugar

1/2 cup peanut butter

1/2 cup shortening

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/3 cup hot water

Directions:

1) Heat oven to 350 degrees. Coat two 13 x 9-inch baking pans with cooking spray.

2) In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside.

3) In a large bowl, beat shortening, peanut butter and brown sugar on medium-high speed for 3 minutes. Add eggs; beat 3 minutes more. Add vanilla.

4) On low speed, beat in the flour mixture. Stir in the peanuts.

5) Divide batter between prepared pans. Bake at 350 for 25 to 30 minutes or until lightly browned. Let cool slightly.

6) Frosting: Beat confectioners' sugar, peanut butter, shortening, salt, and vanilla. Add hot water, a little at a time Beat until smooth. Spread over blondies while still warm. Yield: 48 bar cookies.