Peanut Butter Bars

Peanut Butter Bars...from the kitchen of One Perfect Bite courtesy of Better Homes and Gardens

Ingredients:
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/4 cup boiling water
1/4 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup chunky peanut butter
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup finely chopped peanuts
2 (3 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 egg
2/3 cup chunky peanut butter
1 tablespoon lemon juice

Directions:
1) Preheat oven to 350 degree F. Grease an 8 x8 x 2-inch baking pan; set aside. In a small bowl combine cranberries and water. Cover and let stand 20 minutes. Drain well.
2) In a large mixing bowl beat butter and 1/2 cup peanut butter with an electric mixer until well combined. Beat in brown sugar. Beat in flour on low speed (mixture will be crumbly). Stir in peanuts and drained cranberries. Reserve 1 cup of crumb mixture. Press remaining crumb mixture into bottom of the prepared pan. Bake for 12 minutes.
3) Meanwhile, for filling, in a medium bowl beat cream cheese and granulated sugar with an electric mixer until smooth. Add egg, 2/3 cup peanut butter, and lemon juice; beat until well combined. Spread evenly over crust. Sprinkle reserved crumb mixture over top, pressing lightly into filling.
4) Bake about 25 minutes more or until top is lightly browned and edges are puffed. Cool on a wire rack. Cut into bars. 
Makes 16 bars.