When Talk of the Town asked for the perfect easy, delicious, and portable dessert for a picnic, I felt like I had just the thing. Peanut Butter and Strawberry Jam Blondies fit that bill to a tee. (CLICK HERE TO VIEW). If you love a good blondie – and who doesn’t – this just takes it to a whole new level. That’s a quote from Lelan Statom, my charming assisting chef last Friday. And he’s right; the recipe is for a basic Blondie - sugar, butter and eggs- that gets amped up with real peanut butter, not those yucky peanut butter chips, jam, and finally chopped salted peanuts. It’s everybody’s favorite sandwich - a PB&J - and it’s for dessert. This is a recipe to love because you can about whip it up just about anywhere without even a mixer in sight. A bowl, a spoon and some stirring are all that’s required. It’s a great recipe for a summer vacation when your entourage is demanding dessert.
It’s also pretty, with just a little jam peeking through. If strawberry jam isn’t your jam then use something else, but strawberry wins in the looks department. This is fun to make with little guys too. After the batter is in the pan, dabbing on the jam and adding the peanuts can feel like important work with an artistic flair! Peanut Butter and Strawberry Jam Blondies will be going with us to a Memorial Day Picnic tomorrow. The only problem is that even though they keep for 3 or four days, I can’t make them till tomorrow. I know they won’t last that long in this house!
School’s out for summer, but your family doesn’t have to miss their PB&J’s! Make this one soon and enjoy!
Peanut Butter and Strawberry Jam Blondies
Ingredients
¾ cup (1 ½ sticks) melted butter
1 cup smooth peanut butter
3 eggs
2 ½ cups brown sugar
2 tsp vanilla
2 cups flour
1 ½ tsp salt
1 ½ tsp baking powder
½ cup strawberry jam
3 Tbsp chopped peanuts
Optional: Sea salt to sprinkle
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Spray a 9x13 inch baking dish with cooking spray.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together butter, peanut butter, brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla.
Add flour, salt and baking powder and mix just to combine.
Spoon batter into baking dish.
Spoon dollops of jam over batter – gentle swirl into batter and top with peanuts.
Bake until lightly browning 35 -40 minutes.
Cool and cut into squares.
Top with a pinch of sea salt or flaky salt if desired.
