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I’m sure that every mom has her own method for crafting a PB&J, and usually it’s dictated by our kids’ preferences! My boys definitely have their own opinions about what constitutes the perfect peanut butter and jelly sandwich, so today I’m taking you behind-the-scenes to show you exactly how we make our version of the classic.
The PB&J is my default lunch at least 2 or 3 times per week. Whether I pack them in a lunch box, in a cooler for a road trip, in a picnic basket, or in a pool bag, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are truly our Most Frequently Consumed Meal! I can prepare a batch of sandwiches in advance, they don’t require refrigeration, and the ingredients are pantry staples that I always have on hand. Sure, my boys love them…but so do I!
The PB&J has always been my favorite sandwich, so maybe this is a genetic trait that my kids were lucky enough to inherit? The PB&J gene?!
I always use Jif® Creamy Peanut Butter and Smucker’s® Strawberry Jam, which I can easily pick up at Walmart. Paired with the kids’ favorite whole wheat bread, it’s a nourishing option that tastes delicious and gives us energy to power through whatever the day throws our way!
Did you know that Jif® Peanut Butter has 7 grams of protein per serving? It’s such a great alternative to lunch meats or other protein sources, and the healthy fats from the nuts keep us satisfied for hours.
To prepare The Perfect Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich, I like to start with a nice, thick layer of peanut butter on BOTH sides of the bread. This prevents the bread from getting soggy so that the sandwich stays fresh, even when I make it the night before.
Next, I add the Smucker’s® Strawberry Jam on just one slice of bread. It’s literally “sandwiched” between the two layers of peanut butter.
Casey prefers a THICK layer of jam on his sandwich (the more, the better), while Gibbs and Spencer like just a hint of sweetness. Each sandwich is completely customizable around here!
When the sandwich is put together, it’s time for the great crust debate! Do your kids love the crust? Want it off?
We’re a divided household on that front: Gibbs and Casey are BIG fans of the crust, while Spencer wants every little bit cut off!
I have two different easy tricks for getting Spencer’s crust off quickly — a cookie cutter in a fun shape (such as the car shown in the photos here), or a pizza wheel!
Served with a glass of milk and some fruit, lunch is ready!
We’ve been taking advantage of the warm weather this summer and have been enjoying our lunches at our backyard picnic table. The boys love any opportunity to get outside, and I appreciate that there are fewer crumbs to wipe up at the end of the meal!
As we transition back to school in the next couple of weeks, we might have to pack our sandwiches in lunch boxes and backpacks instead of pool bags or coolers, but our favorite food will remain the same.
No matter the season, no matter the occasion, The Perfect Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich will “Power Their Day,” will join us on our adventures, and will be the one constant in our ever-changing schedule. It’s a simple and delicious option that makes us all smile!
Do you share our #PBLove? Let me know how YOU craft The Perfect Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich!
Just thinking about pb&j is making me hungry! It’s funny because when I was little, I only ate peanut butter sandwiches. But now that i’m an adult, I love pb&j! It’s one of those comfort foods that I never get sick of! And your sandwiches are making me hungry, looks delicious!
Thanks, Gayle! I think the salty-and-sweet combo with both PB and J is the best!
So simple and so great. That’s all I can say
Hah! Thanks, Sara! I agree!
Eating a peanut butter, banana, and jelly sandwich right now. Signature Kitchens 8-grain bread + Jif Creamy Peanut Butter + Smucker’s Seedless Blackberry Jam + banana slices = the pinnacle of sandwich perfection. Mmm, yummy!
Delicious!!! Such a great combo!
I’ve even convinced a few friends to try blackberry jam on their PB&J sandwiches, and they’ve been blown away by the taste. Definitely worth trying at least once.
Gonna have another one right now. Yes, this one also has banana slices on it.
Blair thank u for doing this simple but vitale staple jusrice. My kids love this classic 3 times a week and it’s a huge lifesaver for lunches. I have a gastric sleeve so I cant eat much. but I do try to treat myself here and there with sugar free jam amd crunchy pb&j sandwich here and there.
Awesome! It’s my favorite kind of sandwich, too! 🙂
Blend honey in with the peanut butter and add banana slices, and they’re even better.
Sounds amazing!!! I love the pb-honey-banana combo!
I keep the jelly when I add honey and banana slices to my peanut butter sandwiches. This combination has become a favorite work lunch for me as it’s filling and portable.
I like to use Jif Natural Creamy peanut butter, Aunt Sue’s raw and unfiltered wildflower honey, a sliced Del Monte organic banana and one of Smucker’s Simply Fruit varieties, my favorite being the Seedless Black Raspberry Spreadable Fruit. Put them together between two slices of your favorite bread – my favorites include honey wheat berry, whole wheat, and honey oats and flax – and you have the makings of the absolute best homemade sandwich you have ever had in your life. Here, I’ll give you the recipe:
Ingredients
2 slices of bread, your choice of variety
2 tablespoons (minimum) of peanut butter, your choice of type
1 tablespoon of jelly, your choice of flavor
1-2 spoonfuls of honey, your choice of variety
1 ripe banana
Directions
1. Lay out slices of bread on a flat surface, like a cutting board.
2. Spread a layer of peanut butter on one slice of bread.
3. Drizzle 1-2 spoonfuls of honey over the peanut butter. Blend the two ingredients together on the bread using the back of the spoon used for the drizzling.
4. Spread a second layer of peanut butter on top of the honey. This is to keep the honey from leaking.
5. Peel a banana and cut it into coin-like slices. Lay out slices atop the peanut butter/honey mix.
6. Spread a layer of jelly on the other slice of bread.
7. Place jelly-covered bread – jelly-side down – on top of the peanut butter, honey and banana-covered bread.
8. Gently press the two slices together to form sandwich. Transfer finished product onto a plate if construction took place on a cutting board.
9. Serve the remainder of the banana as a side item and pour a glass of milk to wash down your yummy and healthy peanut butter, honey, banana and jelly sandwich. Enjoy!
I love this idea, Pete! Thank you so much for sharing. Now I’m craving the sandwich, so I’ll likely have one for breakfast or lunch today. 🙂
Feel free to do an entry about it on here if you want to.
I was with you until I saw the picture of the sandwich cut straight across instead of corner to corner.
I have alerted the appropriate authorities. Expect a visit from Child Protective Services!
Hah! I guess that’s an acceptable way to cut it, too! ????
Ah, the personal preference debate of how to cut a PB&J sandwich. It never ends. Personally, I prefer to eat mine whole. Yes, I take bites. No, I don’t cut my peanut butter, honey, banana and jelly sandwiches when I eat them. I keep them whole and leave the crust on. Mmm, so good.
That works, too! 🙂
Also, I don’t think Chad noticed that one picture of one of the kids whose PB&J looks like it was cut diagonally, or as he might call it, “the only way”. Talk about oversight.