Peanut Butter and Jelly Bars

So a few weeks ago, I received a DELICIOUS vegan chocolate cake from one of my instructors who works here at Porters Neck. Check this baby out:

It tasted like frosted brownies. YUM! Unfortunately for you guys, it is a secret family recipe for them so I am going to honor their wishes and not post the recipe. However, I did make a batch of Peanut Butter Jelly Bars for her last night and I will share the recipe for those with you guys.

The first time I had Peanut Butter Jelly bars was last Christmas when my mom made them for my trip to Nebraska. Boy, were those things good. I ate a ton when I was there and then also took a batch back to Wilmington with me and froze them. It's safe to say, I was completely addicted. I think I worked out that week JUST so that I could eat Peanut Butter and Jelly Bars.

Peanut Butter and Jelly Bars

Ingredients:

• 2 cups flour
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 cup oil
• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• 3/4 cup milk
• 2/3 cup grape jelly

1. Preheat oven to 375. Lightly grease an 8x8-inch pan with oil or line with parchment paper. (I used Kelly's baking dish so that I could return it to her). If you use glass- increase baking time at least 5 minutes.
2. In a medium bowl, mix together flour, sugar, baking powder and salt.
3. In a large bowl, whisk together oil, peanut butter and milk.
4. Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients in batches until just mixed.
5. Reserve 3/4 cup of dough and spread the rest in the bottom of the prepared pan.
6. Bake base for 20 minutes.
7. Remove pan from oven and spread jelly on top of base. 
8. Crumble remaining topping over jelly and return the pan to the oven for 15-20 minutes until topping is browned and edges are set.
9. Remove from the oven and let cool completely n the pan on a cooling rack before cutting into bars.

The recipe says to store the bars covered at room temperature but I prefer them in the fridge, chilled!

How I made this recipe vegan/healthier:

• Replaced the flour with unbleached flour (the bleaching process involves animal products)
• Replaced the sugar with Stevia
• used sugar free jelly

Yummy! 

What types of healthified desserts have you created lately?