Growing a person is a TON of work. No wonder pregnant women are always hungry and have pregnancy cravings.
Being pregnant has its perks. Although there is the unexpected weight gain, where none of your clothes fit, you are performing a miracle, and everyone wants to feed you. This is your time to indulge.
Peanut Butter Jelly Time!
Being pregnant, there is nothing better than a good old-fashioned PB&J sandwich. I am obsessed, and the people around me started to notice. Working as a teacher in a public school where lunch was provided, lunch choices were limited.
Whatever their “special” meal of the day was, there was always the option for one of those pre-made peanut butter and jelly Crustables. The first time I saw them, my eyes lit up. I would do a waddled-by in the lunch line twice a week and grab one, pretending they didn’t notice any extra missing. My students caught on and would take them with their lunch to give me. So sweet, right?! It helps that my toddler is just as obsessed and asks for “p.b.jelly” at least three times a week.
A neighboring teacher saw my pregnancy obsession and brought me a peanut butter and jelly donut from a local bakery one morning. Heaven. It was then I thought, I do pretty well in the kitchen. Why stop there? What other ways can this classic and amazing treat be made into? How can I take this craving to the next level? And here is what I found…
PB&J Thumbprint Cookies
These are hands down my favorite cookies to make…and eat!
- 1 egg
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 cup of sugar
- 1 tsp. Vanilla
- Your favorite jelly (I always use raspberry jelly; it’s just my personal preference.)
Preheat the oven to 375. Mix peanut butter and sugar. Add an egg and vanilla. Shape into 1-2 inch balls and place two inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet. Lightly press your thumb into the center of each ball. Fill each indentation with 1 teaspoon of your choice of jelly. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are golden brown. They will still be soft when you take them out, which is a good thing. Allow cookies to cool for 10 minutes before eating them.
I have also made these into sandwich cookies. As in, mini PB&J sandwiches! Roll the simple peanut butter cookie dough into a log and cover it with saran wrap. Refrigerate for at least an hour. Sometimes, I make it ahead of time and freeze the dough only because it is easier to shape. Remove the dough and flatten all sides against a counter or hard surface, creating a “loaf” of dough.
Using a chopstick or skewer, place and push down in the center of one side to create the look of a loaf of bread. Slice and bake for 10-12 minutes or until golden. Remove from the oven and let them cool on a wire rack. Spread the desired flavor and amount of jelly on half of the cookies. Cover with a second cookie to create your sandwich.
Cookie Bars
Another way to make this classic into a sweet treat is to make peanut butter and jelly bars. These are essentially sugar cookies with a twist.
- 1 egg
- 2 cups flour
- 1 cup of sugar
- 1 tsp. vanilla
- 1 stick butter, softened or melted
- 1 tsp. baking powder
- Peanut butter chips
- Jelly – preferred flavor
Preheat the oven to 375. Mix an egg, butter, and vanilla. Slowly add dry ingredients while mixing. On an ungreased cookie sheet, press cookie dough to fill the tray. Sprinkle peanut butter chips on top and bake for 8-10 minutes. Remove the cookie sheet from the oven and spread jelly on top of the cookie bar. Bake for five minutes longer. Allow to cool completely before cutting.
You can substitute the peanut butter chips for chocolate and prepare them the same way. You can also use crushed nuts like almonds, pecans, or peanuts and your favorite jelly flavor for a different twist. Just as delicious!
Here is another way I have put a spin on this classic treat. Don’t forget that tons of other flavored nut butter would complement these treats. Almond butter and raspberry jelly is a great combination that I have used to satisfy this insatiable craving.
