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## Ingredients for Classic Peanut Butter Cookie Bars
One of the things that makes peanut butter cookie bars so easy to prepare is that they require only a few basic ingredients. Most of them are pantry staples that you likely already have on hand. Here’s what you’ll need to make these delicious bars:
### For the Bars:
– **1 cup unsalted butter** (softened): The butter provides the moisture and tenderness needed for these bars. Make sure it’s softened so it blends easily into the dough.
– **1 cup peanut butter** (smooth or chunky): Peanut butter is the star ingredient, giving these bars their rich flavor and creamy texture. If you prefer a chunkier texture, use chunky peanut butter, or for a smooth and creamy finish, go with smooth peanut butter.
– **1 cup granulated sugar**: Sugar adds sweetness and helps the bars achieve a golden brown color when baked.
– **1 cup packed brown sugar**: Brown sugar adds moisture and depth of flavor, giving the bars a soft texture.
– **2 large eggs**: Eggs bind the dough together and help with the texture of the bars.
– **2 teaspoons vanilla extract**: Vanilla adds a warm, aromatic flavor to the dough that enhances the peanut butter taste.
– **2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour**: Flour forms the structure of the bars and helps them hold together. Be sure to measure your flour correctly to avoid dry bars.
– **1 teaspoon baking powder**: Baking powder helps the bars rise slightly, ensuring they are light and fluffy while still being chewy.
– **1/2 teaspoon salt**: A pinch of salt enhances the flavors and balances out the sweetness of the bars.
### Optional Mix-ins:
– **1 cup chocolate chips**: For a rich, chocolatey twist, add chocolate chips to the dough. Dark, milk, or semi-sweet chips work wonderfully.
– **1/2 cup crushed peanuts**: If you like extra crunch, add crushed peanuts to the dough to intensify the nutty flavor.
– **1/2 cup peanut butter chips**: For an extra peanut butter punch, add peanut butter chips in addition to or instead of the chocolate chips.
– **1/4 cup jelly or jam**: For a peanut butter and jelly version, swirl in some grape or strawberry jam before baking.
## Equipment Needed
To make these **Classic Peanut Butter Cookie Bars**, you will need a few key pieces of equipment:
– **9×13-inch baking pan**: This is the standard size for baking these bars. You can line the pan with parchment paper or grease it with butter to prevent sticking.
– **Mixing bowls**: You’ll need at least two bowls—one for mixing the wet ingredients and one for the dry ingredients.
– **Electric mixer or hand mixer**: While you can mix the dough by hand, an electric mixer makes the process quicker and easier.
– **Measuring cups and spoons**: Accurate measurements are key to getting the right texture and flavor in your bars.
– **Spatula**: A spatula is helpful for scraping down the sides of the mixing bowl and spreading the dough evenly in the pan.
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