Hey, moms! Have your kids been getting restless, like mine? I think they’re (secretly) ready to get back to the school routine. But not before we celebrate with one more carefree, alfresco family party.

Whatever your family’s favorite is — a cool pool party, a farewell-to-summer barbecue or simply sandwiches in the backyard or nearby park — gather your group for an afternoon outdoors. Have the kids help prepare Peanut Butter Swirled Brownies: moist, fudgy brownies studded and topped with dreamy peanut-butter-flavored milk chocolate chips. Indulge in these perfect take-along goodies that are sweet surrender. The perfect ending to any meal, they can be taken with or enjoyed at home (Hint: Mom! These are most welcome in a lunch box!).

In addition to always including an irresistible home-baked dessert, here are some of my essential picnic pointers:

• Picnic baskets can be as elegant as a fitted wicker hamper or as simple as a clean cardboard box.
• Pack a tablecloth with wipe-clean surface and a beach towel, old blankets or a ground cloth.
• Tuck in a plastic bag for cleanup, sturdy plastic (or disposable) dishes, big napkins and salt and pepper shakers.
• Take along a damp washcloth in a plastic bag for wiping hands.
• Pick up deli salads; serve from their takeout containers.
• If you’ll be grilling and using a park grill, take along a wire brush for cleaning.
• Be sure to include a Frisbee or other fun stuff for games or water sports.

For more perfectly portable desserts, visit www.VeryBestBaking.com!

PEANUT BUTTER SWIRLED BROWNIES
(Makes 2 dozen brownies)

1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup cocoa
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) butter, softened
1 2/3 cups packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 large eggs
2 tablespoons water
1 2/3 cups (10-ounce package) Nestlé Toll House Swirled Milk Chocolate & Peanut Butter Morsels, divided
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
2 tablespoons granulated sugar

PREHEAT oven to 350F. Grease 13 x 9-inch baking pan.
COMBINE flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt in medium bowl. Beat butter, brown sugar and vanilla extract in large mixer bowl until creamy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Gradually beat in flour mixture alternately with water. Stir in 1 cup morsels. Spread into prepared pan.
COMBINE peanut butter and granulated sugar in medium, microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on HIGH (100% power) 30 seconds or until pourable consistency. Stir until smooth. DROP mixture by teaspoonfuls over batter in pan. Swirl into brownie batter with back of a spoon. Sprinkle with remaining morsels. BAKE 23 to 28 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out still slightly sticky. Cool completely in pan on wire rack.

Nutrition Information per serving: 240 calories; 110 calories from fat; 13g total fat; 7g saturated fat; 35mg cholesterol; 140mg sodium; 31g carbohydrate; 1g fiber; 23g sugars; 4g protein.