Iced Peanut Butter Cup Coffee

I've had something similar but hot in a local coffee shop, but it is too hot to experiment with hot coffee recipes. This blended coffee freeze is one of my favorites:

Put 2 double shots of espresso or really strong coffee into a blender. Add a handful of large ice cubes and enough milk to cover them (about a cup). Add 2 tablespoons of peanut butter. Pour in an ounce each of chocolate and caramel syrups. Blend until the ingredients are evenly mixed, pour into your favorite cup, and if you're feeling a bit indulgent add a plop of whipped cream.


Dunkin' Donuts is sending out free coffee samples--click the image to get yours and enjoy your first Iced PB Cup Coffee on me!

Peanut Butter Temari

When I first made this temari, it reminded me of coffee and caramel. But sitting here, eating the last of the vacation fudge, I realize it reminds me more of peanut butter and chocolate.

Temari is a centuries-old Japanese craft, first made with the silk thread from worn-out kimonos. The balls were given to children to use as toys. Now temari are used mostly for decorations, and can be placed on a stand, in a bowl, or hung on a holiday tree or a hook. My daughter even has one hanging from the rear-view mirror in her car.

This is a craft that's very friendly to recycling, and I use old (but freshly laundered!) socks or stockings, yarn reclaimed from abandoned knitting projects, leftover yarns and threads, and sometimes bottlecaps and tiny orphaned toy parts if I want to make a ball that rattles.

This temari is available in my Etsy shop, where you'll find others in different patterns and colors.

100 Calorie Peanut Butter Brownies

If you're dieting and craving a sweet snack, the 100 Calorie Peanut Butter Brownies from Glenny's might satisfy you. However, they don't really taste like chocolate, and the peanut butter taste is non-existent, so they won't satisfy a craving for either. I do like them, and they contain 4 grams of protein and 7 grams of fiber, so they do knock back my hunger for a while. I'm a huge fan of Glenny's other products, especially the soy crisps, but unfortunately they don't come in peanut butter flavor (at least not yet!).

I'm In, Are You?

The Entrecard Cookbook (not just recipes) is a creative project to share with the Entrecard community. It is totally volunteer on the part of staff and participants. They are collecting recipes and other creative works, such as tidbits of humor, web comics, and "other" (i.e., poetry, drawings, and sketches).

Submissions will be made into an Ebook with links to the participating blogs. The Ebook will be distributed via the Entrecard "official" site (it will be turned over to them when it is finished). Contributors also receive a post that includes a link to their blog on the Entrecard Cookbook Blog.

The Peanut Butter Blog has submitted a recipe, and from what I can tell there's still room for more contributions. Check out the official Entrecard Cookbook Blog for complete details and to contribute something.

Mice and Peanut Butter and Jelly

I found this original ACEO painting on eBay, and I love ACEOs--so I had to share it with you. (There are about 5 days left before this auction closes, so there's time to go on over and place a bid on it!) Painted in acrylics by Anita Ware, there is a ton of detail packed into this little 2.5" x 3.5" piece of art. The only thing I can't figure out is which mouse made the sandwiches?

A New Superhero

Kathy Jeffords, also known as KJ, is the genius behind Peanut Butter Girl. I love her determined, no-nonsense expression, and her superhero costume is pretty sweet. I asked KJ about Peanut Butter Girl's origin:

One day, I was thinking of my grandma, who passed away when I was in high school, and how a friend of hers used to call me Peanut Butter Girl when I was little.
And it just hit me that Peanut Butter Girl kind of sounded like a superhero name. And of course, a superhero named Peanut Butter Girl HAS to have a jelly-related sidekick, right?

KJ's favorite peanut butter is Peter Pan Honey Roasted -- and it's gotta be crunchy! And she shared her favorite peanut butter "recipe":

take some peanut butter, take some Cool Whip . . . (quantities are totally up to your personal taste) -- mix'em up and stick it in the freezer for about an hour. It is heavenly. You don't have to freeze it -- you can eat it immediately -- but freezing it makes it so much better!

You can find Peanut Butter Girl prints at The Dreamy Giraffe.

Mountain Top Fudge Factory

I won't begin to claim to know much about fudge, except that it tastes good and is not good for you. I picked up a box of peanut butter fudge on a recent road trip through West Virginia, and it holds true with my knowledge of fudge. This stuff tastes so good you never want to swallow, just enjoy the taste for as long as possible. Made by the Mountain Top Fudge Factory in Beckley, West Virginia, this small company doesn't have a website. They do have a phone number listed on their box: 304-250-3690. And they'll be at the Mountain State Art & Craft Fair in Ripley, WV, July 3-6.

My Favorite Breakfast

This is my own version of peanut butter oatmeal, inspired by the recipe in The Peanut Butter Diet. I'm not much on diets, but I am a huge fan of this book. It has so many wonderful ways to enjoy peanut butter without going overboard on fat and calories!

To make my version of this breakfast treat: Mix some oatmeal, following the directions on the package. Stir in about 2 tablespoons of your favorite peanut butter before cooking. (I never measure, just drop in a couple of blobs, and add more later if it tastes like it needs more peanutty goodness.) When the oatmeal is done, spoon some of your favorite jam or jelly on top into a smiley face design. Pure bliss!

Knitted Peanuts

This is Pablo Peanut. His friend below is Presley Q. Peanut. They were knit with organic cotton yarn, are about 3" wide and 8" tall. Amigurumi creations (the Japanese art of knitting small items in the shape of a character or animal) are always fascinating, and these are just too intriguing! With baby-safe stitched features they make cute toys for the kids, but work for grown-up kids too: they'd look good sitting on your bookshelf, desk, or chair. Get yours at Chet and Dot, $22.

White Chocolate Wonderful

One thing I love about peanut butter from Peanut Butter & Co. is the consistency of the texture. It's got a perfect spreadability, never too thick or too thin. This is something that's difficult to find among specialty peanut butters, and is one of the factors that make PB&Co my favorite brand.

I love chocolate, but prefer dark chocolate, so I was a bit hesitant to try White Chocolate Wonderful. I was pleasantly surprised: this is not too sweet, and is amazing on graham crackers and vanilla wafer cookies. If you've found a different way to enjoy this flavor I'd love to hear about it!

We Belong Together

This Lunchtime Love Story card is blank on the inside, ready for you to add your own sentiments. What a sweet way to let your favorite peanut butter or jelly lover know what's in your heart! Designed by Marilyn Patrizio using an original photograph, you can pick one up at So Softies.

Gluten-free Peanut Butter Cookies

I've found the most delicious gluten-free peanut butter cookies in the universe! By themselves, or partnered with chocolate frosting or even jelly as sandwich cookies, these do not taste "wrong" like many gluten-free foods. They are so good that you don't realize they contain no wheat products--and it's nearly impossible to stop at just one cookie. You can get them from Kathy's Creations Bakery, but you'll need to pick them up in person because Kathy doesn't ship her products. If you're in Ohio or western Pennsylvania it's worth the drive (and I'd say that even if she weren't my sister!). You can get these delicious cookies directly from the bakery, or from a variety of markets in northeastern Ohio.

Peanut Butter and Jelly Soapsicles

This soap on a stick is so yummy looking! Made with glycerin and shea butter, and scented with grape fragrance oil and real peanut butter. And who wouldn't have fun with a soapsicle!?! Get yours for $5 at LoveLeeSoaps.

Peanut Butter Face T-Shirt

I think this t-shirt is a bit creepy. I sort of like creepy, so that's a compliment. $20 from Let's Get Healthy, in adult sizes small, medium, and large.

Peanut Butter Cake Competition

Run and check out the current Peanut Butter Exhibition contest. You have until June 30 to submit your best peanut butter cake recipe (cupcakes are included!). Full details are available at The Peanut Butter Boy, where you'll also find a wealth of terrific recipes featuring PB.

Mocha Peanut Butter

This European Cafe Mocha peanut butter tastes soooo much better than I expected! It's got European chocolate and espresso blended into it. I love this on toasted bread in the morning. The only drawback I found is that is contains hydrogenated oil, so I have to save it for an occasional treat. It's available in some grocery stores, and you can order online at P.B. Loco.

Earrings for PBJ Lovers

I found these sweet Peanut Butter and Jelly Earrings and thought they'd be perfect for little peanut butter lovers (and some grown-ups!). Handcrafted from polymer clay, you can get them at Kesako for only $8.

Some Peanut Butter Trivia

One acre of peanuts will produce enough peanut butter to make 30,000 sandwiches.

Peanuts are not actually nuts at all--they are legumes.

The average American eats about 3 pounds of peanut butter per year.

Peanut shells have many practical uses, making peanuts a no-waste crop. Shells are used in paper, kitty litter, fireplace logs, wallboard, and animal feed.

Two peanut farmers have been elected President of the United States: Thomas Jefferson and Jimmy Carter.

Peanut Butter Cookie Tote Bag

I found this 1982 Peanut Butter Cookies Tote at Electric Nomad. Made with a recycled calendar featuring a recipe for peanut butter cookies on one side and a complete 1982 calendar on the other, it's a terrific way to show your love of peanut butter and the environment. A sweet bargain at only $27, this is a one-of-a-kind handcrafted bag.

George Washington Carver Greeting Card

Now you can you share your love for George Washington Carver when you send a birthday card, thank you card, or Happy Peanut Butter Day card. It's also the perfect--and obvious--choice for celebrating Carver's birthday on July 12. This card is a print of an original painting by Marilyn R. (Meier) O’Brien of Art by Marilyn, who also sells prints suitable for framing.

Peanut Butter for the Hungry

I read an article in the Charlotte (North Carolina) Observer that said area churches are asking their members to bring in jars of peanut butter to help supply local food banks. With rising food and gasoline prices, the shelves of many food banks are bare. Summer usually brings an increased demand for food when many schools close and children don't benefit from school-supplied breakfasts and lunches.

The Peanut Butter Blog wants to help. Next time you're shopping, pick up an extra jar of peanut butter and donate it to your local food bank. Check America's Second Harvest if you need help locating a food bank near you. Leave a comment here when you make your donation, and I'll match your donation with one of my own. I'd love nothing better than to post a blog roll of donors and a count of total donations!

A Peanut's Worst Nightmare

I've long been a fan of Jelene's comics, and A Peanut's Worst Nightmare is one of my favorites. Go check out Jelene's Pop Shop for this and more terrific art!

USDA Wants to Decrease Peanut Price Supports

I found this article about peanut price support at Macon.com. It seems that the USDA wants to cut the federal price supports for 80 percent of the peanuts grown in the U.S. by $7/ton. The plan includes an increase in price supports for several more expensive varieties of peanuts, but that does nothing for the majority of peanut farmers. We'll be watching to see how this all turns out, and whether it has any impact on the price or availability of peanut butter.

Live in a Tranquil Oasis of Peanut Butter

The goal of A.J.'s Country Cottage is to help you achieve a tranquil oasis of scent and comfort in an often stress-filled, busy life. You can relax and indulge in a little affordable elegance with a hand-poured peanut butter cookie scented jar candle. Perfect for those times when you just can't eat another bite, but are having mad cravings for a bit of p.b.!

Archer Farms Cinnamon Peanut Butter

I'm a fan of many Archer Farms products (you can find them at Target stores), and this cinnamon peanut butter is delicious. It has the perfect balance of flavors so that neither the peanut butter or the cinnamon overwhelms the other. It does have one serious drawback: it is extremely thin and runny, at least the jar I purchased. I had to use a spoon to get it out of the jar--it slid right off the knife. It makes a very sloppy sandwich. It is, however, the best flavor I've tried so far in a peanut butter and banana sandwich. Warning: You may want to wear a bib.

Cookies for Your 4-Legged Friends

Made with organic, all-natural peanut butter, these Peanut Butter Puppy Poppers make an ideal training treat or reward for your favorite pooch. Tammy of Unique Dog Treat Bones prepares these without sugar, salt, or preservatives, but with lots of love. She creates dog treats in a wide variety of shapes and flavors, so you can please even the choosiest of pets.

African Peanut Butter Soup

I found this terrific short video on YouTube. The recipe looks easy, and there's a printed version of it at the end of the video. It's basically made from chicken, tomatoes, an onion, and peanut butter. I'd love to try this when the weather cools off some--it's too hot to think about making soup here now--so let me know if you try this!

Wear Your Peanut Butter Proudly

This beautiful Peanut Butter Scarflette was hand knit in blend of acrylic, wool, and rayon. It's available from The Laughing Chicken Boutique, where you'll also find a delicious blueberry scarf and a delectable chocolate almond shawl.