Pantry Dessert Bars

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Pantry Raid! Here’s a dessert that you can make without a trip to the grocery store. Last month, we had family unexpectedly stop by for dinner. We didn’t have time to make a trip to the store before dinner so we emptied our pantry to make a dessert. The recipe came out pretty awesome and we looked like rock stars in the kitchen! The next time you have unplanned visitors, make sure to have this recipe on hand for a quick and easy dessert.

Ingredients:

• 1 stick, plus 1 tablespoon butter, at room temperature
• 3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
• 3/4 cup light brown sugar
• 1 egg
• Kosher salt, just a pinch
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup sweetened coconut flakes
• 1 cup jam, we used Strawberry, but pick your favorite

Topping Ingredients:

• 1 cup salted peanuts
• 2 tablespoons flour
• 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
• 3 tablespoons cold butter, cubed
• Kosher salt

Directions:

Heat the oven to 350. Grease the bottom and sides of an 8 by 8-inch baking pan with non-stick cooking spray.

Bar topping: Using a food processor, pulse together the peanuts, flour, brown sugar and a pinch of salt. Add in butter and pulse until the mixture becomes the consistency of wet sand. Chill until use.

To make the bars: In a large prep bowl, blend the butter, peanut butter and brown sugar until light and creamy with an electric mixer. Add the egg, vanilla extract, baking powder and salt. Mix on low to combine, scraping down the sides as needed. Slowly mix in the flour, 1/3rd at a time. Fold in the chocolate chips and shredded coconut. Press the dough into the bottom of the prepared dish, then spread jam over the dough. Sprinkle mixture over the top and bake until the edges and topping are golden brown, about 30 to 35 minutes. Allow it to cool for 1 hour before serving.