Banana-Peanut Bars

I am often careful to avoid recipes with peanuts for family events. But when those with peanut allergies are away at college, I thought I would give this recipe a try for Andrew's second birthday. These bars were a hit, which is not surprising because peanut butter is popular in my family. A good time was had by all and the Banana-Peanut bars disappeared.

These bars taste like banana bread with a strong peanut flavor. The recipe calls for crunchy peanut butter, but I only had creamy peanut butter on hand, so that is what I used. And, for the streusel topping, I used more peanut butter instead of peanuts. I also think that these bars would be good with chocolate chips added to the batter.

Banana-Peanut Bars 

• 1 cup flour
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1 egg
• 2 Tbsp. milk
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla
• 2 Tbsp. vegetable oil
• 3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
• 1/4 cup chunky peanut butter
• 1/2 cup mashed banana

Streusel topping

• 1/2 cup flour
• 1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1/4 cup peanuts, chopped

Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside. Beat egg; blend in milk, vanilla, and oil. Add brown sugar, peanut butter, and mashed banana. Mix thoroughly. Add in flour mixture; beat until smooth. Spread in greased 9x13 pan. Bake at 350 for 15 minutes. Sprinkle with streusel topping. Continue to bake for 15 to 20 minutes longer or until golden brown. Cool. Cut into bars.

Make the Streusel topping by combining flour and brown sugar. Cut in butter until small lumps form. Add in chopped peanuts and stir.