Peanut Butter Brownies!!!

If you are a peanut butter lover or bake for one, you must try these "Peanut Butter Brownies"!!!  They are amazing!!!  These turn out moist and yummy with just the right amount of peanut butter flavor.  This icing or actually it's just sort of a glaze is just perfect for these also!!!    Some refer to these as "School Cafeteria Peanut Butter Bars"!   I don't remember having anything like this during my school cafeteria days, but if you do and have been searching for the recipe,  here you go!!!  Here is what you will need:

1 cup butter (2 sticks)

1  1/2 cups peanut butter (I used smooth, but you could use crunchy if you like a crunchier texture)

1  1/2 cups sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar packed

4 large eggs

1 Tbs. vanilla

2 cups self rising flour*

Icing

1/4 cup smooth peanut butter

2 cups confectioners sugar

1/4 cup milk

1 tsp. vanilla

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Spray a 9"x 13" baking pan with nonstick baking spray.

Place the butter and 1 1/2 cups peanut butter in the microwave for about  1 minute to melt them.  With an electric mixer, cream in the white and brown sugars.   Add the eggs one at a time and mix.  Add vanilla.  Add the flour 1 cup at a time and mix just until it disappears and is mixed together.  Do not over mix at this point.  

*If you do not have self rising flour, add 2 tsp. baking powder and 1/2 tsp salt to all purpose flour before adding to the mixture.

Spread evenly in the baking pan.  This mixture will be thick.   Bake for 35 minutes.  Do not over bake, it should test, when you stick a pick in it, with moist crumbs.

Cool in the pan for about 30 minutes before icing.

To make the glaze, place 1/4 cup peanut butter in the microwave for 30 seconds.   Add the confectioners sugar vanilla.   Add the milk a little at a time until the mixture is thin enough to spread.  It should be thinner than regular frosting.  Spread over the brownies.  Let them sit for another 30 minutes for the glaze to set.  

Cut in squares to serve and get ready for these to disappear in no time!!!  

Peanut Butter Texas Sheet Cake!

If you have ever had the classic chocolate "Texas Sheet Cake",  you know it's moist and so scrumptious.  This takes that basic recipe and just spins it in a peanut butter form, which for the peanut butter lovers is also really delicious.  This is an idea my mother came up with and the results were wonderful.  It's also pretty easy.  Here is what you will need:

2  1/2 cups self rising flour (White Lily, preferably) ***

2 cups sugar

1/2 cup butter (do not use margarine)

1/2 cup canola or vegetable oil

1/2 cup creamy peanut butter

1 cup water

1/2 cup buttermilk

2 large eggs

1 tsp. baking soda

2 tsp. vanilla

***If you are unable to get self rising flour in your area, use all purpose and add 1 tsp. baking powder and 1/2 tsp. salt to it.

Icing

6 Tbs. half and half cream

1/2 cup butter

1/2 cup creamy peanut butter

2 cups confectioners sugar

1 tsp. vanilla

1 cup peanuts, finely chopped

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In mixing bowl sift the flour and sugar together. 

In a heavy saucepan, bring the 1/2 cup butter, oil, buttermilk, peanut butter and water to a boil.   Once it boils, pour over the dry mixture in the mixing bowl, eggs,  baking soda, and vanilla.  Stir to combine it all.  Don't over mix this.  Just use a large spoon or whisk.  Pour into a 9"x13" baking pan that has been sprayed with nonstick baking spray.  I prefer Baker's Joy for this, but whatever you have works.   Place in a preheated 350 degree oven for 20-25 minutes.  A pick inserted in the center should come out clean when it's done.

 During the last 10 minutes that the cake is baking, make the icing, because as soon as the cake comes out, you ice it.   Place the half and half cream, 1/2 cup butter, 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter in a saucepan over medium heat.  Melt this all together and stir until smooth.   Turn the heat to low.  Stir in the confectioners sugar and the vanilla.  Stir until smooth.    Immediately pour over the cake just out of the oven.  Spread evenly over the top.  Sprinkle with the finely chopped peanuts and press them into the warm icing with the back of a spoon.  A food processor is great for chopping the peanuts.

Slice and serve!  This is so good while the icing is still warm!