Peanut Butter-Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

We love homemade cookies at our house but sometimes there just isn't enough time to bake several trays of cookies.  Easy as they are to make, they do take a little time.  You know how it is, a friend phones you and says they are dropping in for a cup of tea and you don't have any cake!  You need something tasty and quick to bake.  

This is the time to bake a bar cookie; mix in one bowl, bake in 30 minutes, and delicious, too.  Here's one you should try:

PEANUT BUTTER-CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE BARS

Butter and line a square baking tin with baking paper.  Turn the oven on to 350F or 175C

1/3 cup soft butter or baking margarine
1/3 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup caster sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar 
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup plain flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup chocolate chips

Place the butter, peanut butter, and both sugars into a mixing bowl.  Beat together until fluffy. 

Add the eggs and beat again. 

Add the vanilla, salt, and baking powder and beat again to combine. 

Add the flour and mix on a low speed until all the flour is absorbed into the batter.

Stir in the chocolate chips and pour the batter into the prepared baking tin.  Smooth the batter out to the edges of the pan.

Bake for 30-35 minutes.  Test at about 25 minutes.  Do not over bake!  I use a thin knife as a tester. Insert it in the centre of the pan.  If the knife comes out without any liquid batter the bars are done. 

Cool in the pan and cut into 12 cookie bars.... 9 cookie bars if you greedy.... or you could just eat two (or more) of the smaller ones.   Honestly, I often eat two of the larger bars, too.

Be sure to store your cookie bars in an airtight container or a strong freezer bag to keep them fresh and moist until tea time.