Peanut Butter Cookie Bars

Preheat oven to 350° F. Line a 8x8-inch metal baking pan with parchment paper. Set aside.

In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda and salt. Set aside.

In the bowl of a stand mixer (or using a hand mixer), combine melted butter with peanut butter until smooth, about 1 minute. Add brown sugar and granulated sugar and mix until well combined. Add vanilla and egg. Mix well, about 2 minutes.

With the mixer on low, slowly add dry ingredients. Mix just until combined. The dough should be soft and slightly crumbly (that’s okay). If adding mix-ins, stir them in by hand.

Place dough in prepared pan and press, smoothing out the top until dough is firm. Gently press into the dough.

Bake bars at 350° F for 20 to 22 minutes. Cool in pan for 10 minutes, then transfer onto a cooling rack to cool completely. Cut and serve.