Peanut Butter Bars Cookie Recipe
1/4 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup chunky peanut butter
1/3 cup brown sugar, packed firm
1 cup flour
1/2 cup peanuts, chopped fine
Filling:
2 – 3 ounce packages cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
2/3 cup chunky peanut butter
1 tablespoon lemon juice
nonstick pan spray
Peanut Butter Bars Preparation:
Preheat oven to 350°, spray pan with nonstick vegetable spray.
In a large mixing bowl combine the butter and 1/2 cup of chunky peanut butter, beat with an electric mixer until smooth. Add the brown sugar and mix well, add in the flour, mixture will be crumbly.
Stir in chopped peanuts.
Remove 1 cup of mixture, set aside to use later.
Press remaining crumbs into bottom of 8 inch square pan, bake for 12 minutes.
Prepare peanut butter bars filling.
In a large mixing bowl beat the cream cheese and granulated sugar with mixer until creamy, add the egg, 2/3 cup of peanut butter and lemon juice, beat until well blended.
Spread filling over the top of baked crust.
Sprinkle the reserved crumb mixture over the top and press lightly into the filling.
Return to oven and bake for 25 minutes or until lightly browned.
Place pan on wire rack to cool.
Recipe for peanut butter bar cookies makes about 16 bars.