If you're cooking on a budget (or even if you aren't) you want to get the most out of every ingredient in your cupboard. After all, no one likes to pull something out of the back of the cupboard only to find it's passed the expiration date. And one of the most underused pantry staples we've found is that ever-present jar of peanut butter. Though anyone with kids (and anyone who's been a kid) knows the value spreading it on bread or toast with some jelly (and, we might suggest, a few slices of banana), that tends to be the sum of it for about 90 percent of Americans. A few more might occasionally whip up a batch of easy peanut butter cookies, but that's where most cooking with peanut butter begins and ends. This is a shame, because this creamy (or crunchy) concoction can do much more!
Peanut butter's savory, rich flavor is a welcome addition to desserts of all kinds. It pairs nicely in sweet berry recipes and chocolate treats. Not only does it make for a classic cookie, but you can add it to pies as well as bars, cakes, and even cheesecakes.
But it's not just a dessert! Peanut butter makes granola more flavorful and packs in body to soups and smoothies, and even makes bread pudding taste richer. That's to say nothing of the nutrition it adds. As a good source of healthy fats and protein, and even a moderate amount of dietary fiber, peanut butter adds a health boost to practically any dish.
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1
Peanutty Cap'n Crunch Candy Bars
Pretzel sticks and cereal pieces give these homemade candy cereal bars a delicious salty-sweet blend.
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2
Peanut Butter and Candy Egg Blondies
Kids and adults alike will adore these peanut butter blondies that are both baked and topped with peanut butter candy eggs.
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3
Apple-Pear Crisp with Peanut Butter
This hearty fruit crisp make a warming breakfast, or a sweet afternoon treat.
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4
Curry Coconut Peanut Soup
Not every peanut butter recipe is a sweet treat. This deliciously spicy East Asian-style soup is just the thing when you're craving peanut butter for dinner.
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5
Salted Caramel Peanut Butter Fudge Pie
The salted caramel and peanut butter topping on this pie makes it a dessert no one will forget.
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6
Mini Peanut Butter Cheesecakes
They may be mini, but these indulgent treats pack a powerful punch.
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7
Chocolate–PB Drops
Here's a smart way to dress up traditional cutouts.
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8
Salty Peanut Banana Pudding
This salty, sweet, dessert is a no-bake delight that will get people talking.
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9
Peanut Butter Banana Bread Granola
Get your peanut butter fix first thing with this granola recipe—your morning will be better for it.
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10
PB-and-J Bread Pudding
Whether you call it dessert or brunch, you won't be worrying about leftovers.
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11
Peanut Butter, Rum, and Cola Cake
This creamy, nutty, cola-and-booze-spiked cake is an unusual—but deliciously rich and indulgent—dessert delight.
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12
Peanut Butter Cake
Enjoy this incredibly sweet peanut-buttery dessert with a nice cup of coffee.
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13
Banana-Peanut Butter Smoothie
The classic flavor of peanut butter and bananas! We highly recommend cutting peeled bananas into chunks and freezing them to keep the smoothie extra cold without being watered down.
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15
Peanut Butter and Jelly Muffins
Make a big batch on the weekend, and you'll have breakfast ready for the week.
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16
Peanut Butter and Chocolate Chip Pancakes
Whip up this breakfast treat with dependable staples right from your pantry: pancake mix, peanut butter, and chocolate chips.
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17
Peanut Butter Acorns
A small peanut butter cookie and a chocolate kiss in the form of an acorn make a tasty and festive dessert.
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18
Reese's Chocolate Peanut Butter Tart
Have you ever seen a dessert that looks this delicious?!
Get the recipe at Life Love and Sugar.
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19
Lunch Lady Peanut Butter Bars
This peanut butter bar recipe is as easy as it is sweet. Pair it with a cool glass of milk for the ultimate dessert.
Get the recipe at Six Sisters' Stuff.
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20
Peanut Butter Ritz Cookies
Part savory, part sweet, these crunchy cookies—dipped in chocolate and white almond bark—will be gone in a flash.
Get the recipe at Julie's Eats and Treats.
