Attending to a Surplus

We have an obscene amount of peanut butter in our house, no joke, at least 6 cans. So, rather than waste it, or consume peanut butter and jelly sandwiches every day for the next 4 months, I figure we should look into making some tasty treats for the kiddos. I've looked for some different recipes for them. So here goes nothing...

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Bars

1/2 cup of peanut butter

1/3 cup butter, softened

2/3 cup white sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar, packed

2 eggs

1/2 teaspoon of vanilla

1 cup flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup of chocolate chips

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees

Cream together butter, beat in sugars, eggs and vanilla. Stir in flour, baking powder and salt until evenly blended. Fold in chocolate chips. Spread into a greased 9x9 or 7x11 inch baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 30 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out with fudgy crumbs. Allow to cool before slicing. (Makes 12 servings)

Peanut Butter Oatmeal Sandwich Cookies

{Cookies}

3/4 cup all purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

8 teaspoon unsalted butter, at room temperature

1/2 cup creamy peanut butter

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed

1 large egg

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 cup quick-cooking or old fashioned oats

{Filling}

4 1/2 teaspoons unsalted butter, at room temperature

3/4 cup creamy peanut butter

1 1/2 cups confectioners sugar, sifted

5-6 teaspoon heavy cream

Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a small bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Stir together with a fork to blend. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together with the butter, peanut butter and sugars on a medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Blend in the egg and vanilla extract. Add the dry ingredients and mix on low speed just until incorporated. Stir in the oats until evenly blended.