Peanut Butter, Peanut Butter Chip or Chocolate Peanut Squares

Submitted by littleturtle

"Double peanut butter treat, great for an after school snack."

 

• Ready In: 35mins
• Ingredients: 16
• Serves: 25

ingredients

• Bars

• 1⁄2 cup shortening
• 1⁄3 cup peanut butter
• 2⁄3 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1⁄2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 1⁄2 cups all-purpose flour

• Peanut Butter Frosting

• 3 tablespoons butter or 3 tablespoons margarine, softened
• 3 tablespoons peanut butter
• 1 1⁄2 cups powdered sugar
• 2 -3 tablespoons milk

• For Variations

• 2 ounces unsweetened chocolate, melted (optional)
• 2 tablespoons milk (optional)
• 6 ounces chocolate chips (optional)
• 24 solid chocolate wafers (optional)

directions

1. Peanut Butter Squares:

2. Cream together all ingredients, except flour and frosting, until fluffy.
3. Blend in flour.
4. Press into bottom of ungreased 13x9-inch pan.
5. Bake at 350°F for 20 to 25 minutes, or until light golden brown (don't over bake).
6. Combine all frosting ingredients, adding milk until frosting is a spreadable consistency.
7. Beat until smooth.
8. Cool for a few minutes; frost with peanut butter frosting.
9. Cut into 2-inch squares while warm.

10. Chocolate Peanut Squares:

11. Add unsweetened chocolate and milk with the egg.
12. Sprinkle batter in pan with sugar.
13. Frost if desired.

14. Peanut Butter Chip Bars:

15. Add chocolate chips with the flour.

16. Brown Eyed Susans:

17. Arrange chocolate wafers on top of hot bars so a wafer will center on each 2-inch square.

Reviews

[akgrown]

These are a great afterschool snack for the kids. I added chocolate chips and used all whole wheat flour. Very yummy with the frosting, the kids didn't even notice they were whole wheat! :-) I'm excited to try the chocolate variation next time.