Thursday, September 20, 2012

Chocolate Chip PB and J Bars


Geeesh.... Vacation can definitely throw off your schedule! And that's exactly where I'm at right now. I totally thought that I had plenty of time once we got back, to get my post up for the Get Your Chef On party this month. Yup. I had the date in my head. September 24th, right? I was so ready for this. I had it all figured out. I knew just what I was going to make. I knew I had all of the ingredients on hand. (or did I?) So, I'm checking my email and I see the one that I received from Jen, giving the instructions and codes for the party. And then I saw the date that our recipes were supposed to be posted. What?! Huh? I was supposed to post it.... yesterday?! On the 18th? O-M-G


So... I ran to the pantry and checked to see if I had everything that I needed. Peanut Butter? check. Flour? check. Raspberry jam? Uhhhh, Oh no! I had NO raspberry jam in the pantry! Starting to feel little beads of sweat collecting on my upper lip, I go to the fridge to see if I have enough in the jar that's in there. Hmmm... apple jelly, apricot jam, wild Maine blueberry jam, apple butter, strawberry preserves.... Jars are flyin' out of the fridge and I'm getting that sick feeling of dread rising up in my chest. Nope. NO raspberry jam. Now, that might not seem odd to most people, but in this house, there is ALWAYS at least one jar of raspberry jam. It's the hubber's go-to flavor for everything from PB&J sandwiches to English muffins.

So, what do I do? Well, like any self-respecting, menopausal, middle-aged crazy lady, I improvise. I start looking for all kinds of substitutes. I start thinking that maybe I need to start looking for another recipe altogether. But... what if I don't have all of the ingredients that I need for ANY of them?? Then I see the chocolate chips. OK, so instead of PB&J bars, I'll do PB&CC bars. Or PB Blondies. Ooorrr... I have strawberry jam, so maybe PB&SJCC bars?? Oy! Calm down, Mary.

Anywhooo.... I finally figured it out. And since this is my first time linking up with the GYCO party and I'm not sure about whether there's a little leeway in regard to posting time, I'm gonna just post it anyway and hope that our lovely hostesses will take pity on me. So, here it is folks!

{A big apology and an even bigger thank you to Julie at White Lights On Wednesday and Jen at Four Marrs & One Venus for hosting and for hopefully forgiving a batty old broad like me, who forgets what day it is, pretty much five out of six, um... I mean, seven days a week.}

Chocolate Chip PB&J Bars
(adapted from Ina Garten's recipe)
  • 2 sticks unsalted butter, room temp
  • 1 1/2 cups sugar
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 3 large eggs, room temp
  • 2 cups (18 ounces) creamy peanut butter
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 1/2 cups (18 ounces) strawberry jam (or what you have)
  • 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F

Grease a 9 by 13 by 2-inch cake pan. Line with parchment, then grease and flour the pan.


In the bowl of your mixer, (paddle attachment) cream the butter and sugar on medium speed until fluffy and light yellow. On low speed, add the vanilla, eggs, and peanut butter and mix until all of the ingredients are combined.




In a separate bowl, sift the flour, baking powder, and salt. Staying on low speed, slowly add the dry mixture to the wet mixture, until combined. I try to add it in thirds.


Spread 1/2 of the dough into the pan and spread evenly on the bottom with a spatula. Spread the jam over the dough. Sprinkle 1/2 of the chocolate chips over the jam. Then, drop small chunks of the remaining dough evenly over the jam. Don't worry if it doesn't look like enough to cover it. It will spread out as it cooks. Sprinkle with the rest of the chips.


Bake for 35-45 minutes, until golden brown. Cool for about 20 minutes and cut into squares.




These will keep, in an airtight container for about a week. (if they last that long) Or, you can freeze them individually in zip-top sandwich bags or wrapped tightly in cling wrap.



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Please Note: Many of the following links to parties are no longer functioning because the blog has been removed or because the name and/or the URL have changed. I'll try to get in here one of these days and update/correct it all but for now, I just don't have the time or the level of health that I used to have. To the very best of my knowledge, the links are all still safe and should not take you to any spam sites if you choose to click on them. Thanks!


I'm linking this up with: (adding the URL's as I link up)
White Lights on Wednesdays


And with:

Creative Thursday at Michelle's Tasty Creations
Foodie Friday at Rattlebridge Farm
Friday Fun Party at Craftionary
Happy Hour Friday at Happy Hour Projects
Strut Your Stuff Saturday at Six Sister's Stuff
Saturday Night Special at Funky Junk Interiors
Scrumptious Sunday at Addicted To Recipes

Week of 9/25/12

Mix It Up Monday at Flour Me With Love
Thriving On Thursdays at Domesblissity
Live, Laugh, {Linky} Thursday at Live, Laugh, Rowe
Fridays Unfolded at Stuff and Nonsense
Potpourri Friday at 2805
Overflowing With Creativity at It's Overflowing

Week of 10/1/12

Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps On The Porch
Creative Corner Blog Hop at Cherished Handmade Treasures
Whatcha' Whipped Up at DJ's Sugar Shack
Wow Us On Wednesdays at Savvy Southern Style
All-Star Block Party at In The Old Road

Week of 10/8/12

Tasteful Tuesdays at Nap Time Creations




18 comments:

  1. Oh, my lord, I can't believe my eyes! PB&J bars, chocolate chips ... you have combined all of the great flavors in the universe!!!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, Mary! You leave the best comments! Wish we could sit and have one or two of these with a cup of coffee. Planning any trips East in the near future? lol XOXO

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  2. OH GOSH! I need this now!! Girl- you did GOOD!! Thank you so so much for joining in the fun!!!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks, Jen! They almost didn't happen. If I hadn't checked my email when I did, it might have gone past the date of the party altogether, so thanks SO MUCH for taking pity on me and getting me linked up. I can't wait to check out everyone else's stuff! :~)

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    2. Of course! And I forgot to say- Great PHOTOS up there- these bars look really amazing!!

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  3. These bars look fantastic! I hope you don't mind that I laughed all the way through your post. It was more because what you described is something I would do (panic over missing ingredients) that at your expense.

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    Replies
    1. Not to worry, Michelle. LOL I'm laughing at myself. I'm lucky that I can remember my own name some days. Thanks for stopping by!

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  4. Hi Mary, Your post was so cute and funny! I enjoyed reading it so much. The bars sound perfectly wonderful. I wish I could snatch one right now!!

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    1. Thanks, Kitty! Getting older is just grand... LOL I'd be more than happy to share, but they're so easy to make, you could have a batch of your own whipped up faster than I could get them to you. :~)

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  5. Hi Mary,
    Lovely bars! They sure look addictive! I don't think that I could stop at just one! Thank you for visiting and for following! Happy to be your newest follower! Have a great weekend!

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  6. Oh my gracious! Those look soooo yummy and delicious! The photos are awesome. :-)

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  7. These look good - I bet my daughter & niece & nephew would absolutely love them! Great job on the GYCO PB challenge :)

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  8. Oh yum! This would make the best after school snack! Thanks for sharing Mary! :)

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  9. Mmm. Mmm good! These look wonderful. I will have to try them !
    Thanks for stopping by, Mary! Enjoy your Sunday, gorgeous beach day here on LI!

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  10. I know how you feel Mary, I also forget what day of the week it is! Your recipe turned out wonderful and looks delicious :)

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  11. Mary,
    This is SOOO funny! I love that I'm not the only one who forgets what day it is! These look amazing and I'm on my way now to make them. I will be using the raspberry jam because it's MY favorite and who cares what the rest of the family likes anymore. Thanks so much for linking up to Creative Thursday. Can’t wait to see what you share this week. Have a great week.
    Michelle

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  12. Hi Mary,

    Totally agree that baking can be stressful too with a schedule to follow... but I reckon all baking leads to happy endings. Enjoying our freshly baked goods can be simply priceless :D

    Your chocolate chip PB jelly bars looks wonderful. Their fudgy centers look so irresistible.

    Nice to know you through blogging and here I am being your latest blog follower :D

    Zoe

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  13. oh my goodness
    do these look ooey gooey good

    thanks for sharing
    at Fridays Unfolded!

    alison

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I love comments! I read every one and they truly make my day! I no longer allow anonymous comments due to increases in spam, etc. SUBSCRIBE to the COMMENTS on this post (below) to get a notice of my reply via email! Thanks for stopping by and for absolutely making my day! XOXO Mary

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