Think peanut butter and jelly, but so so much better! And in fun little bar form, these slices of fresh summer fun are perfect for your next bbq or picnic.
Overwhelmed. That's all I have right now. We blinked and months flew by and we were dull to it and the gray days dragged us down. I try to fight everything with positive thoughts and keeping things upbeat. But someday's, it's hard. Handsome and I are both blessed to be hard-working, independent business owners. But we work for it. We hustle all day every day, and when we sleep, we are exhausted. There are so many facets of running your own business that leave you stressed and praying that you aren't letting anyone down. Someday's we sit back and wonder what we are doing wrong as we watch others rise to success. It is hard to remember only to be happy for them and to know that they worked hard too.
People hear food blogger and think this is easy. 'She bakes cookies and makes money'. I wish. And maybe it is that easy for some. But no, I run a media business that requires development and testing, equipment and knowledge. I am a web developer and designer. I am a photographer and writer. I am my own tech support and marketing manager (no pressure). Someday's I wish I were a few less things, maybe then it would be easier.
But the other day Handsome's mother told me something that made it all click. She said that I fill my life with the things I want, and, therefore, am getting there. The walls of my home are filled with motivational reminders and pictures of loved ones and things that make us smile. We are busting our butts, but we are busy with work, not hoping for more. We have earned everything we have. And it's pretty darned sweet.
On those days when it's dark and dreary, and you want to sit in your PJ's and sulk, take a moment to look around. Is it enough? Is it all that you need? Put it in perspective and pull yourself out of that funk.
Ingredients
- ¾ cup butter - softened
- ¾ cup peanut butter
- 1 cup brown sugar - packed
- ½ cup sugar
- 2 teas baking powder
- ¼ teas salt
- 2 eggs
- 1 teas vanilla
- 2 ¼ cups flour
- ½ cup organic strawberry jam
- 4 cups small whole strawberries - tops removed and halved
Instructions
- In the bowl of your stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and peanut butter unstil smooth. Add the sugars, baking powser and salt and beat 3 minutes longer. Mix in the eggs one at a time and lastly add the vanilla. Scrape down the sides and give another mix just in case anything missed out. Lastly, add the flour in 3 small additions until combined.
- Spread the batter into the prepared baking dish and bake for 25 - 30 minutes until the top is light brown and a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.
- Allow to cool on a wire rack completely.
- When cool, spread jam all over the top evenly. Lastly, pile fresh strawberries over top before slicing and serving.
- Store in fridge and eat within 2 days as the jam and strawberries will make everything soggy if not devoured quickly.
Notes
Nutritional informations provided as a courtesy and is only an approximatation. Values will changes based on ingredients used.
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Liz @ Floating Kitchen says
Oh I hear you on this. Being an awesome boss lady certainly has it's ups and downs. And I find, because I'm working from home and alone with my thoughts all day, that I tend to get in my own head too much. Gotta keep it all in perceptive. And have a strawberry PB bar...they look amazing!
RavieNomNoms says
GET IN MY BELLY!!!! Those look awesome! I am a sucker for all things PB!
Erin @ The Spiffy Cookie says
I think once my student loans are all paid off I will be able to sit and look around and feel better about things. Right now it's hard not to feel guilty about every little thing, thinking I shouldn't have spent money on this or that when I have loans to pay off. But I would go insane if I didn't buy that glorious cookie at the bakery, or go on a trip with friends so I'll keep living my life the best I can in the meantime. Once those loans are paid off though all bets are off.
Uvon Tucker says
Just curious - what size baking dish are we talking about here? 8x8? 9x13? I want to do this for the SO's birthday next week, and I'd like to know which baking dish I'm using before I get started.
Kita says
Hi Uvon, an 8x8 or 9x9 would be great! These were a HUGE hit with my boyfriend. If your SO is a fan of bars, these were also a hit https://passthesushi.com/strawberry-oatmeal-bars/
Cheers!
Uvon Tucker says
Thank you! And thank you for the link to the strawberry oatmeal bars, too. An office poll has resulted in the decision to do the Strawberry Peanut Butter bars for the SO. However, they added a provision that, once strawberries are in season around here (Chicago), I'll need to bring both into the office for empirical purposes.
Kita says
Lol, no pressure! Oh! And when those strawberries come in - make sure to try it with good local homemade strawberry jelly.... homemade jelly and jam <3 the best ever!
Uvon Tucker says
No worries - I canned some of that last season!
Mary Bostow says
Thanks for sharing at Delicious Dishes Recipe Party!