A Different Way to Make a Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich

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The average child will eat 1,500 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches by the time he graduates high school. Additionally, the average American consumes about 6 lbs. of peanut butter and other peanut products every single year, according to the National Peanut Board website. With the sandwich being such a staple of the American diet, find ways to spice up the sandwich to give yourself and your family a bit of variety. Think about different flavor combinations and adding new ingredients that will tickle your family's taste buds.

Select different types of bread. Sure the classic peanut butter and jelly sandwich is made on white bread. However, expand your horizons and try different breads such as wheat and potato. Other breads such as cinnamon raisin and honey-walnut have a sweet taste to them that complements the peanut butter and the jelly. Additionally, think about other types of bread products. Croissants, bagels, submarine rolls and baguettes all provide different textures for the exterior of the peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

Try different peanut butter types. According to the National Peanut Board, women and children prefer creamy peanut butter while men prefer the chunky kind. Natural, unsweetened varieties as well as low-fat varieties are available for those watching their caloric intake.

Select different types of jelly and jams. The classic peanut butter and jelly sandwich is made with grape jelly. However, many jam or jelly flavors, such as raspberry, strawberry and apricot, will complement the rich flavor of peanut butter. Other alternates such as apple or pear butter can take the place of jelly or jam as well. Experiment with different flavor profiles.

Add new toppings to the classic sandwich. Use pieces of fruit such as apples, pears or bananas. Add sweet items such as pieces of milk chocolate or marshmallows. You can even drizzle the sandwich with a sweetener such as honey or maple syrup before topping it with the second piece of bread.