Peanut Butter Cookie Bars

If you like peanut butter cookies, then you have to try this recipe!  Super simple and super tasty!! I made these the other night for our dinner guests and almost as soon as I brought the pan out, it was emptied--they are THAT GOOD!

Ingredients:

1 1/2 c. flour
1/2 tsp. baking soda
3/4 c. brown sugar
3/4 c. creamy peanut butter
1/2 c. butter (one stick), softened
1/2 c. sugar
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla
1 c. M&M's (or chocolate chips or whatever you want with your PB cookie!)

Oven Temperature: 350 degrees
Baking Time: 20 minutes

In a large mixing bowl, combine the dry ingredients. Add remaining ingredients, mixing well, until a smooth but thick dough forms.  (If your dough is crumbly, go ahead and add a bit more peanut butter.) Gently stir in your M&M's or other add-in.  Place dough into an ungreased 9x13" pan.  You'll need to use your hand to press the dough down and spread it evenly throughout the pan.

Go ahead and bake it. The longer it bakes, the crispier the bar will be, but that also means it will be more crumbly.  I found that 20 minutes exactly was perfect for a nice cookie texture that wasn't falling apart when it cooled.

Allow the bars to cool for about 5 minutes before slicing into squares.  Serve when they have cooled almost completely so that they won't fall apart in your hand. (Or else risk it and eat it with a fork--it tastes just as good! ;))