Peanut Butter and Jelly Bars

I'll admit I haven't tried this one, but found it in April's "All You" magazine and thought these sounded like a good snack to make for our grandchildren.

Peanut Butter and Jelly Bars

1 stick unsalted butter, at room temperature
3/4 C sugar
1 large egg, at room temperature
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 C creamy OR crunchy (I'd definitely opt for the crunchy!) peanut butter
1 1/2 C all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 C strawberry OR your favorite flavor preserves
2/3 C salted peanuts
2/3 C peanut butter chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Butter and lightly flour a 9" x 13" baking pan.
 
Using an electric mixer on medium speed, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.  Lower speed; add egg, vanilla and peanut butter; beat until combined.

In a separate bowl, sift flour, baking powder and salt.  On low speed, slowly add flour mixture to peanut butter mixture.  Mix until just combined.  Set aside 1/2 cup of the dough.

Using your fingertips, press remaining dough into an even layer in pan.  Spread preserves over dough.  Crumble reserved 1/2 cup dough over preserves.  Sprinkle with peanuts and peanut butter chips. 

Bake until golden and bubbly, about 45 minutes.  Cool on a wire rack and cut into bars.

Makes 24 bars