PB & J Bars

I found this recipe in the April 17, 2010 issue of Family Circle Magazine. My daughter made it once the way the recipe says and really liked it. When cleaning off the side of my fridge of all sorts of papers and such under magnets I came across this recipe and decided to make it gluten free. It's definitely a great recipe made either way. I mean what's not to love about PB & J, no matter what the form?

1 1/4 cups all purpose flour (I used a homemade gluten free flour blend)
1/4 teaspoon baking powder (make sure it's gluten free)
1/8 teaspoon salt
6 Tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg
1 cup creamy peanut butter
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (make sure it's gluten free)
1 cup seedless strawberry jam (I made mine with raspberry - use whatever your flavor preference is)
2/3 cup salted peanuts, chopped

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Place aluminum foil in the bottom and overhanging the sides of a 9x13x2 inch baking pan; set aside.

In a medium bowl, stir together flour, baking powder, and salt until well blended.

Beat butter and sugar on medium high speed until fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add egg and beat until incorporated. Add peanut butter and beat until blended, about 2 minutes.

On low speed, add in flour and beat just until blended. Stir in vanilla extract. Spread into prepared pan and bake for 30 minutes. Remove from oven and spread with jam and sprinkle with peanuts; bake an additional 5 minutes. Cool completely on wire rack, then lift from pan using aluminum foil; cut into 18 bars.