October:PB&J Bars

Have you noticed Halloween is no longer a kid’s event? But, along with your adult costume, enjoy being young-at-heart.

Here’s what I bake to feed neighbors when they come over on the 31st.

And, yes, we do open the door to trick or treaters.

• Ingredients
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon baking soda
• 1 cup quick baking oats (not instant)
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ⅓ cup light brown sugar (packed)
• ½ cup chunky peanut butter
• 10 tablespoons (1 ¼ sticks) unsalted butter at room temperature
• 1 cup strawberry jam (the chunkier the better)

• Directions
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Grease a 9” square baking pan. Dust with flour and tap out the excess.
• Measure the flour, salt and baking soda. Sift together into a large bowl.
• With a large spoon, mix in the oats and both sugars. Combine well.
• Add the peanut butter and mix well with electric mixer. Add the butter, a few pieces at a time and mix until well combined.
• Spread the dough evenly into the prepared baking pan. Use your hands to spread evenly and press down the dough.
• Bake for 15 minutes or until the dough starts to turn brown.
• Remove the pan from the oven.
• Spread the jam evenly with a spatula over the hot crust.
• With your hands, spread the remaining dough over the top. You do not need to cover completely.
• Bake for 20 more minutes. The jam should be a little bubbly and the top golden.
• Remove the pan from the oven and let cool for at least 2 hours.
• Cut just before serving.
• 12-16 pieces.