Creamy, crunchy peanut butter and sweet jam are a no-fail
combination. Throw this grilled pb & j in the oven and slather
on some honey butter for a fast, simple, and slightly grown-up
version of the classic.
inspiration
A lot of recipes start with cravings. Some start with problems. This recipe started with many problems.
Everybody knows that inflation is in full swing right now and it’s hitting the grocery bill hard. On top of the regular weeknight who-wants-to-cook-after-a-commute mood, that can really put a damper on your meal planning. Fortunately, I like a challenge. I try to maximize the ingredients I already have rather than buy a whole new batch every week, and that’s how this recipe for a grilled pb & j with cinnamon honey butter was born.
Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are a classic American budget meal. I’ve never really liked them that much. They tend to be boring and mushy. But somehow I always have the ingredients for them on hand and they’re wildly inexpensive, so I decided to try and come up with a version of them that I actually like. Besides, sometimes you want something simple, fast and classic rather than a flavor punch or an experiment.
Cooking for just myself also comes with a host of quagmires outside of the budget spreadsheet. My commute ranges from 25 to 45 minutes, which doesn’t leave me with a whole lot of time to get things done. Taking care of an apartment is a big job in itself—laundry and dishes always piling up, mail to be checked, maintenance to be emailed, fallen picture frames to be set right. There’s a certain luxury in being able to eat whatever I want for dinner, whether that’s a fancy meal from a cookbook or a bowl of cereal at 9 pm. Grilled pb & js with cinnamon honey butter definitely fall into the latter category.
why i love this recipe
I envisioned this recipe as a struggle dinner, a pb & j dressed up just enough to seem intentional rather than like your will to live is dwindling. It wildly surpassed all expectations.
Instead of going crispy in the oven like a usual grilled cheese, the bread soaked up the cinnamon honey butter and turned into what is essentially a wildly low-effort, non-messy stuffed French toast. It’s great for a super fast breakfast for breakfast-for-dinner situation. It’s got grains, protein, and fruit, if you count the jam (I certainly do).
It’s somehow deeply nostalgic, even though I’d never eaten it before. The creamy, crunchy, savory peanut butter, the sweet berry jam, and the honey butter! I mean, butter is always good, but the addition of honey and cinnamon really ramp it up and turn it into an acceptable topping.
It’s also somehow more filling than its un-grilled counterpart, and way more fun to eat. In addition to that, a break from intense holiday cooking is always extremely welcome.
details
Grilled pb & js are so easy it seems silly to have a details section. If you know how to turn on an oven and make a sandwich, you’re totally set. Only the cinnamon honey butter ingredients should be measured; go with your heart with the peanut butter and jelly.
This sandwich is for nights you cannot be bothered to make what you had originally planned for dinner. When you’re rained (or snowed) in and it’s too cold to open the door. It’s for pajamas and slippers and messy buns, for Netflix binges and Christmas movies. Embrace those why-even-try times.
notes
Like I said before, it’s silly to say too much about these, but if you’re a nervous cook, here are some tips to help you out:
- don’t skimp on the butter
- watch carefully in the oven so they don’t burn
- maple syrup could be a nice addition
- use whatever peanut butter you want. i like crunchy.
- use whatever jam you want. my go to-s are strawberry and raspberry
- definitely use a basic sliced bread that you like
- side possibilities are endless: chips for a school-lunch vibe, bacon or sausage for a protein-packed breakfast, or fruit
On a simple sandwich kick? Try ultimate grilled cheese, BLT with swiss & sriracha mayo, or the scotland cafe sandwich.
Don’t forget to rate & review!
grilled pb & j with cinnamon honey butter
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat oven to 450F. In a small bowl, mix the butter, honey, and cinnamon until fully combined.
- Spread one side of two slices of bread generously with the butter. On the non-buttered side of one slice, spread peanut butter. On the non-buttered side of the other, spread jam. Place the two slices together, buttered sides out. Place on a baking sheet.
- Bake sandwich for five minutes, then flip and bake for another 4-5 minutes. Drizzle with more butter and jam, or maple syrup. Serve immediately.
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