3 Delicious Baking Recipes to Celebrate National Peanut Butter Day

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Tuesday, March 1 marks the annual National Peanut Butter Lover’s Day, so today I’m going to share with you three ways to make delicious peanut butter pastries.

If you’re allergic to peanuts, fear not: you can substitute almond butter in any of these recipes. And if you’re allergic to almond butter, you can substitute SunButter. But if you’re allergic to SunButter, I’m so sorry because I don’t have anything for you.

peanut flowers

Peanut Flowers are always a fan favorite. The peanut butter cookie with a chocolate kiss on top adds a sweet touch and gives it the flowery look that the cookie is named for. My mom grew up baking these cookies with her mom before school bake sales, so these cookies are always a nostalgic and delicious treat in my house. You’ll be lucky if these bites stay in your kitchen for a long time.

• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup brown sugar
• ½ cup peanut butter (creamy)
• ½ cup of butter
• 1 egg
• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• ¾ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon of baking powder
• 36 Hershey Kisses, unwrapped

1. Beat sugar, brown sugar, peanut butter, butter and egg in a bowl with an electric mixer until creamy. Stir in flour, baking soda and baking powder until dough forms.
2. Roll dough into 1 inch balls and roll in granulated sugar. Place about two inches apart on a lined baking sheet.
3. Bake for 8-10 minutes at 375 degrees or until edges are golden brown. Immediately press a Hershey’s Kiss into the center of each cookie. Leave to cool and enjoy.

Peanut Butter Swirl Chocolate Brownies

The rich combination of peanut butter and chocolate is as good in a cookie as it is in a fudge brownie. The gooey chocolate brownie is perfectly complemented by the peanut butter swirl on top, making for a rich and delicious treat. If desired, top a warm brownie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream to enhance the flavor with this trendy treat. Be sure to bring some friends, as the 8 by 8 casserole should be more than enough to share.

• 4 ounces of dark chocolate
• ½ cup of butter
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
• ⅔ cup all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup cocoa powder
• ¼ cup peanut butter (warmed until pourable)

1. In a double boiler, melt the dark chocolate and butter until smooth. Whisk together sugar and brown sugar, then cool. Whisk one egg at a time and the vanilla extract.
2. In a bowl, combine flour and cocoa powder. Combine the wet ingredients with the dry ingredients and stir until a thick paste forms.
3. Scrape batter into greased 8 x 8 pan. Evenly drop small spoonfuls of peanut butter over the batter and stir with a toothpick.
Bake at 325 degrees for 35-40 minutes. Leave to cool and enjoy.

peanut butter blondies

If you’re not a fan of the peanut butter-chocolate combination, these peanut butter blondies are a way to get peanut butter deliciousness without the overpowering taste of chocolate. You can add chocolate chips, M&M’s, or any other crushed treats if you like, but these brownies are sure to be a great dessert to keep in your kitchen.

• 1 ½ cups of brown sugar
• ½ cup of butter
• 1 cup peanut butter (creamy)
• 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract
• 2 eggs
• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon of baking powder
• Chocolate chips or any other filling of your choice

1. Beat brown sugar and butter until fluffy. Stir in peanut butter, vanilla and eggs until well blended.
2. Stir in flour and baking powder. Then add the desired filling.
3. Spread batter evenly in greased 13 x 9 inch pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes. Cool, cut and enjoy!