Peanut Butter Crumb Bars

Peanut Butter Crumb Bars

So, confession time.

If I didn’t care at all about what people want to see me bake, I’d probably make nearly every recipe on this blog related to peanut butter somehow. It is my love, and I want to honor that. But, you know, it’s not all about me. I get that. So I’ve been trying to hold it down a little, until today.

Because, because, because. Ready? CRUMBS. On peanut butter bars!

Peanut Butter Crumb Bars

If crumbs or peanut butter isn’t your thing, run away now. And if you don’t like curly hair, ditto. Wait, what?

Okay, true story. A few weeks ago, someone I know came up to me and told me about this great straightening product I could use for my hair. I listened politely, but inside I was thinking, “You have GOT to be kidding me.”

Peanut Butter Crumb Bars

I know straight hair is in vogue. I think straight hair is really pretty. Occasionally, I get mine blown out, and then I don’t do it again for a while. You know why? People suddenly find me prettier. They tell me how good I look, and that I should do it all the time. Boy, do I get offended.

I AM A PROUD CURLY GIRL!!!

Peanut Butter Crumb Bars

Whoops, didn’t mean to shout. But honestly, why do people assume that curly girls want to get rid of one of their most distinctive physical traits? Coincidentally, girls with curls often come from a background that isn’t mainstream American, so maybe there’s some other subtle shaming going on there.

Either way, I will not apologize for loving my hair the way it is. And I will also not apologize for loving peanut butter forever.

Peanut Butter Crumb Bars

Crumbs are also high on my list, almost right up there with peanut butter. So imagine my shock when, mid-workout the other day, I thought of combining the two. Why had that never occurred to me before?!

The rest was simple. I used my favorite peanut butter cookie recipe for the base and my foolproof crumb topping. A lot of crumb toppings require cutting in cold butter, but my recipe uses melted butter and comes together in literally seconds. For this crumb, I put some peanut butter in along with the regular butter to make it even better!

Don’t apologize for who you are. If you love peanut butter, scream it from the rooftops. And if you are proud of your hair, wear it your way. Be you. Own it!

 

Peanut Butter Crumb Bars

Ingredients

Bars
1 egg
3/4 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
1/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 and 1/3 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
Crumb Topping
3/4 cup powdered sugar
3/4 cup flour
1/4 cup butter, melted
1 tablespoon peanut butter

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350. Line an 8-inch square pan with foil and coat with cooking spray. Set aside.
  2. In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the eggs, butter, peanut butter, vanilla, brown sugar and sugar until creamy.
  3. Add the dry ingredients and mix until just combined.
  4. Pat the cookie dough into the prepared pan evenly. Set aside.
  5. Make the crumb topping. Mix the powdered sugar and flour. Add the melted butter and peanut butter and, using your hands along with a spatula, combine the ingredients to form large crumbs.
  6. Sprinkle the crumbs evenly over the peanut butter dough.
  7. Bake for 25-30 minutes until the crumbs begin to brown and the bars no longer jiggle.
  8. Cool and cut into squares. Store in an airtight container.
http://justaboutbaked.com/peanut-butter-crumb-bars/

 

Mir

I fulfill many roles in life: wife, mother, teacher, everlasting learner. This site is dedicated to one role that expresses my creativity in ways that I find consistently challenging and rewarding: baker. Inventing new ways to enhance food, especially if that food involves chocolate or peanut butter (or both!), is a passion of mine. I look forward to sharing my ideas with you.

This Post Has 28 Comments

  1. Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice

    I’m addicted to peanut butter! I think I could eat it all day, every day. These crumb bars look amazing, Mir! Definitely fit for the pb lover!
    Gayle @ Pumpkin ‘N Spice recently posted…Cheddar Sausage Balls and $500 Amazon Gift Card GiveawayMy Profile

    1. Mir

      I almost always eat it every day, Gayle! It’s the best food. And the most delicious!

  2. Erin @ Miss Scrambled Egg

    I’m a curly haired girl, too! It’s easier and more fun to let the curls “do their thing” then to spend an hour in front of the mirror ironing the curls away. Crumbs are my favorite part of muffins, breads, and cakes. Good call!!
    Erin @ Miss Scrambled Egg recently posted…Root Beer MuffinsMy Profile

    1. Mir

      Especially because ironing breaks the hair. Far better to let it be! And the crumbs are my favorite part, too!

  3. mira

    Oh, yeah, I love all the bars you make Mir! These look delicious ! Peanut butter is my favorite! Pinned!
    mira recently posted…Tiramisu BrownieMy Profile

    1. Mir

      Thanks so much, Mira! I am a big bar fanatic. You know that!

  4. Jen @ Baked by an Introvert

    Holy moly, these bars look incredible! That crumb over the top has me swooning. Anyone who isn’t a fan of peanut butter is insane because it’s amazing!!
    Jen @ Baked by an Introvert recently posted…Crock Pot Chocolate Chip French ToastMy Profile

    1. Mir

      I completely agree, Jen. My own daughter isn’t a fan, and she gets mad whenever I bake with PB. And then I’m always like, “Really? Really?” Thanks!

  5. Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom

    Mir, peanut butter makes the world go round. . yes, I was one of those chubby kids who ate peanut butter by the spoonful when I got home from school (lash-key kid, with hardly any supervision but with my brother and sister) . . anyway. . I still love peanut butter as much as I did then, now. . but i must say almond butter is taking a close second place in my heart. and I have super straight hair and have been getting digital perms (although not getting another one and my last one is nearly all gone) to get curly hair!!! I love curly hair!!! and these crumb bars?! well, you know how I feel about crumbs. . love these bars yo!!! Happy weekend to you!!
    Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom recently posted…Spinach Apple and Avocado SmoothieMy Profile

    1. Mir

      Eating PB by the spoonful is just the best feeling ever. Almond butter is great, too. You need to try Godiva salted almond truffles. The middle with have you SWOONING. Thanks, Alice! You too!

  6. Manali @ CookWithManali

    Yay for curly girls! I’m one too! 😀 The bars look amazing and just like you I can never have enough of peanut butter! I don’t understand how some people don’t like it! HOW!!?
    Manali @ CookWithManali recently posted…Strawberry KulfiMy Profile

    1. Mir

      It’s quite the mystery, Manali! I guess we’re all different. Which is a good thing and all…but still. Peanut butter.

  7. Stacey @ Bake.Eat.Repeat.

    I agree, straightening is kind of a pain anyways, much better to just love your curls! I love having curly hair, so much easier and faster when I just let it be curly! And these bars!!! Love them, more peanut butter is always a good idea! 🙂
    Stacey @ Bake.Eat.Repeat. recently posted…Baked Lemon ChickenMy Profile

    1. Mir

      Yay for curly girls! I’ll echo Manali there. We have to let ourselves just be ourselves!

  8. Aimee @ ShugarySweets

    embrace the curls 🙂 And crumbs. On peanut butter bars. Must make these soon 🙂
    Aimee @ ShugarySweets recently posted…Carrot Cake CupcakesMy Profile

    1. Mir

      Let me know if you do, Aimee! They were PB happiness. We have to embrace it all!

  9. Cyndi - My Kitchen Craze

    I heart those crumbs and PB is a absolute must! These bars look perfect and I want them now!! 😉
    Cyndi – My Kitchen Craze recently posted…Breakfast CasseroleMy Profile

    1. Mir

      Thanks, Cyndi! I’m thinking of starting a crumb fan club. 🙂

  10. Lisa @ Wine & Glue

    I’m not a curly girl, I’m a FRIZZY girl. So I totally do straighten my hair. BUT! I wish that there was a product I felt good about that helped me in embrace the .. . . frizz. That doesn’t sound right, lol! Okay, I don’t think I can embrace the frizz. But I can embrace these! They have me drooling!
    Lisa @ Wine & Glue recently posted…Garage Organization Tips and PrintablesMy Profile

    1. Mir

      I’ve been told that putting gel at hair roots helps with frizz! I don’t know if it helps mine or not, but I do it anyway! Thanks, Lisa!

  11. Medha @ Whisk & Shout

    Peanut butter and crumb! You know what’s up! And I have weird in between straight and not-really-curly hair. It’s like, super thick and often frizzy, and sometimes wavy, but mostly straight. I wish I had curls (the grass is always greener!) but I totally love my strange hair, too 🙂
    Medha @ Whisk & Shout recently posted…Chocolate Covered Strawberry Smoothie BowlMy Profile

    1. Mir

      We have to love whatever we’ve got, Medha! It’s what makes us who we are. Even if it’s just hair!

  12. Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust

    You and I are soul sisters. I would make ONLY peanut butter if I could. And I am loving the photos!! 🙂
    Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust recently posted…Giant Strawberry Cinnamon Roll CakeMy Profile

    1. Mir

      Thanks, Dorothy! I made them vertical, just for you. 🙂 Seriously, thanks for the tip!

  13. Jocelyn @BruCrew Life

    You’ve got mad props from this proud curly haired girl!!! I straighten mine every once in a while too, and get so many comments about it. Although most people say they miss my curls, so I guess that’s a good thing! And peanut butter all the time would be awesome…love these bars so much!!! And I’m loving the change in pictures 🙂
    Jocelyn @BruCrew Life recently posted…Raspberry Chocolate Chip Pull Apart Coffee CakeMy Profile

    1. Mir

      That is a good thing, Jocelyn! I’d much rather have that than, “You should do that all the time!” Grr. Thanks for noticing the pic change! Dorothy gave me a tip, and I took it!

  14. Bess Walnut

    I am a proud curly girl too! I totally get you, whenever I get mine straightened or blown out everyone always compliments me, which is flattering but mostly annoying. I usually just let it be. 🙂 So excited to make these!

    1. Mir

      Yay, I’m so glad I’m not alone! It’s just not a compliment if there’s a string attached. So I figure we should just let the curls fly! Hope these turn out well for you!

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