Cooking Recipes Articel

High-powered snacks
like USA-grown peanuts and peanut butter
can help give you the extra energy needed for your daily activities.

Peanuts and peanut butter are terrific
great tasting snacking options because they are convenient
portable and contribute more than 30 essential nutrients and phytonutrients. Plus
their combination of fiber and protein satisfies for hours. In addition
scientific evidence suggests that eating 1.5 ounces per day of most nuts
including peanuts
as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol
may reduce the risk of heart disease.

Peanuts and peanut butter also combine well with apples
celery
bananas and other fresh produce for a quick snack or to entertain. Or they can be baked into wholesome desserts like Peanut-Chip Cookie Bars
with just a touch of chocolate for gooey sweetness.

Peanut-Chip Cookie Bars

Makes 12 servings

3/4 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 cup whole-wheat flour or peanut flour

1/2 cup old fashioned oats

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

Pinch salt

1/4 cup white sugar

3/4 cup packed dark brown sugar

1/4 cup all-natural peanut butter

1 large egg

1 large egg white

1/2 cup chopped unsalted peanuts

1/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350ฐF. In a medium bowl
combine flours
oats
baking powder
baking soda and salt. Stir with a fork to blend. Set aside.

Place butter and sugars in a large bowl; beat with a mixer at medium speed until well combined and fluffy
about 3 minutes. Add peanut butter and beat until blended. Add egg and egg white; beat until combined. Fold in peanuts and chocolate chips. Spread mixture evenly on a 13x9x2-inch baking pan lightly rubbed with butter or sprayed with canola-based cooking spray. Bake for 30 minutes. Cool in pan 10 minutes on a wire rack. Remove from pan
and cut into 12 approximately 4-inch long by 2-inch wide bars; let cool completely.