Divine Peanut Butter Desserts

By Zoe Denenberg
February 22, 2013
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer
A classic peanut butter and jelly still tops the list of our favorite packed lunches. Not only are the sandwich’s flavors nostalgic, but the classic dish is a great way to pack protein and round out your diet. Rich, creamy, delicious peanut butter is an excellent source of protein, which makes it a top choice for healthy snacking. You can dip carrots or celery in peanut butter for a just-indulgent-enough snack, but our favorite way to use peanut butter is in decadent desserts. From brownies and cookies to cakes and bars, peanut butter is a welcome addition to our favorite sweets.Whether you enjoy your peanut butter in a sandwich or as a dip, spread on chocolate cookies or baked into pies, we’ve got a peanut butter recipe for every palate. Now, if you or a loved one is allergic to peanuts, don’t worry– the peanut butter in most of these recipes can be substituted for almond butter or sunflower seed butter! These alternatives are a great option, although nothing can truly replace the ever-classic peanut butter. Whether you like your peanut butter smooth or crunchy, sweet or salty, we have a recipe for you.
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These Desserts Make The Most of Peanut Butter

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Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies

Caitlin Bensel

Recipe: Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies

This cookie recipe tops the charts as one of our all-time favorites. It's nutty, chocolatey, and oh-so nostalgic.

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Georgia Peanut Pie with Peanut Butter Crust and Brown Sugar-Bourbon Whipped Cream

Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Georgia Peanut Pie with Peanut Butter Crust and Brown Sugar-Bourbon Whipped Cream

This impressive pie is packed full of rich peanut flavor, from the gooey peanut butter filling to the peanut butter crust.

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Peanut Butter-Coconut Cookies

Micah A. Leal

Recipe: Peanut Butter-Coconut Cookies

A short ingredient list, perfectly chewy texture, and unexpected coconut flavor make this update on the classic peanut butter cookie a winner in our book. Give them a try and we have a feeling you'll agree.

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Peanut Butter and Jelly Puff Pastry Braids

Greg DuPree

Recipe: Peanut Butter and Jelly Puff Pastry Braids

All it takes is some peanut butter, jelly, and a package of frozen puff pastry to give your PB&J a serious upgrade.

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Nutty Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies

Southern Living

Recipe: Nutty Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies

Thumbprint cookies usually involve a vanilla base and a dollop of berry jam. We reimagined the thumbprint cookie to make it a chocolate lover's dream, complete with a thumbprint of peanut butter.

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Peanut Butter-Banana Icebox Pie

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Peanut Butter-Banana Icebox Pie

This vintage pie will take you right back to the summers of your childhood. Cool peanut butter with fresh banana is always a winning combination.

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Peanut Butter Fingers

Micah Leal

Recipe: Peanut Butter Fingers

These Peanut Butter Fingers are a fabulous on-the-go snack for kids and adults alike. Enjoy with morning coffee or a glass of milk.

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Peanut Butter Midnight Kiss Cookies

Southern Living

Recipe: Peanut Butter Midnight Kiss Cookies

We're loving this super-chocolatey twist on Grandma's signature Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies. With gold accents, these cookies are ever-so festive.

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Peanut Butter-and-Jelly Linzer Cookies

Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Peanut Butter-and-Jelly Linzer Cookies

We all know and love the linzer cookie, with its perfectly fruity jelly filling and short crust. Why not add in some peanut butter to pay homage to the classic PB&J?

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Chewy Chocolate-Peanut Butter Bars

Hector Manuel Sanchez

Recipe: Chewy Chocolate-Peanut Butter Bars

This easy recipe comes together in a flash with the help of your microwave.

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Peanut Butter-Chocolate Acorns

Southern Living

Watch: Peanut Butter-Chocolate Acorns

These cute acorn treats are a great fall lunchbox snack. Pack a few of these peanut butter treats and you're good to go!

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Peanut Butter Pie Milk Shake

Photo: Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Peanut Butter Pie Milk Shake

This homemade milk shake is surprisingly simple and sure to delight all the kids (and adults!) as a refreshing backyard snack this summer.

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Triple-Chocolate-Covered Peanut Clusters

Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Triple-Chocolate-Covered Peanut Clusters

Top these Chocolate-Covered Peanut Clusters with a drizzle of peanut butter to complete the ultimate salty-sweet combination.

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Grilled Stuffed Bananas

Max Kelly

Recipe: Grilled Stuffed Bananas

If you spent childhood nights around the campfire, roasting smores and singing tunes, chances are you've tasted the beauty that is a grilled banana. And no banana is complete without melted chocolate and a drizzle of peanut butter.

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No-Bake Peanut Butter-Fudge Ice-Cream Pie

Photo: Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Tina Bell Stamos; Prop Styling: Christine Keely

Recipe: No-Bake Peanut Butter-Fudge Ice-Cream Pie

For those summer days when you just don't want to turn on the oven, this cool Peanut Butter-Fudge Ice-Cream Pie satisfies like no other.

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Peanut Butter Dip

via Love Grows Wild

Recipe: Peanut Butter Dip

This peanut butter dip is so versatile, it can be enjoyed as a healthy snack or a decadent dessert.

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Easiest Peanut Butter Cookies

Southern Living

Recipe: Easiest Peanut Butter Cookies

Impress your guests with these simple, 4-ingredient peanut butter cookies.

Step-by-Step Video: Easiest Peanut Butter Cookies

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Peanut Butter Mississippi Mud Brownies

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Recipe: Peanut Butter Mississippi Mud Brownies

Chocolate and peanut butter have never tasted so good. And the marshmallow topping makes these brownies just as dense and sweet as the famous cake.

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Peanut Butter-Chocolate-Oatmeal Cereal Bars

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Peanut Butter-Chocolate-Oatmeal Cereal Bars

The name of this bar cookie says it all, peanut butter, chocolate, oatmeal, and cereal—what's not to love? After a short toast in the oven, the ingredients for this snack or dessert recipe come together in the microwave, then cool for about 45 minutes.

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Flourless Peanut Butter-Chocolate Chip Cookies

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Recipe: Flourless Peanut Butter-Chocolate Chip Cookies

These flourless cookies are a dream if you are going gluten-free, especially with the perfect pairing of peanut butter and chocolate.

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Peanut Butter-Toffee Turtle Cookies

Southern Living

Recipe: Peanut Butter-Toffee Turtle Cookies

Traditional turtle candy calls for chocolate, caramels, and pecan halves to be molded into the shape of a turtle. For these cookies, traditional turtle candy flavors are teamed with creamy peanut butter for a Southern touch.

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PB & Chocolate Pan Cookie

MyRecipes

Recipe: PB & Chocolate Pan Cookie

Leave the mixer in the cabinet—you can mix up this dough with a spoon.

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Peanut-Cola Cake

Photo: Ian Bagwell; Prop Styling: Annette Joseph; Food Styling: Cynthia Groseclose

Recipe: Peanut-Cola Cake

Baking with cola infuses the cake with a pleasing combination of flavors and gives it a super tender texture.

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Peanut Butter-Banana Sandwich Bread Pudding with Dark Caramel Sauce

Photo Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Peanut Butter-Banana Sandwich Bread Pudding

These puff much like soufflés, so present to guests right out of the oven. Encourage them to hold off enjoying the desserts for five minutes while they cool slightly.

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Peanut Butter Truffles

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Recipe: Peanut Butter Truffles

If you overbeat the chocolate mixture in Step 2, beat in 2 to 3 tbsp. more whipping cream to return mixture to a smooth consistency.

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Chocolate-Peanut Butter Pizza

Recipe: Chocolate-Peanut Butter Pizza

Dust your fingertips with powdered sugar to spread the cookie dough without sticking.

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Chocolate-Peanut Butter Mousse Cake

Photo: J. Savage Gibson

Recipe: Chocolate-Peanut Butter Mousse Cake

Starting with a boxed cake mix makes this cake both easy and delicious. Kids and adults alike will love the creamy peanut butter mousse between layers of chocolate cake. Garnish with chopped roasted peanuts and serve with a scoop of ice cream.

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Banana Cupcakes with Peanut Butter Buttercream

Greg DuPree

Recipe: Banana Cupcakes with Peanut Butter Buttercream

Pay homage to Elvis with these peanut-butter-and-banana cupcakes. Remember, you can never go wrong with a chocolate drizzle.

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Peanut Butter-Banana Pudding

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Peanut Butter-Banana Pudding

Layering pudding in half-pint jars gives you room to garnish and screw on the lids so you can place them in your cooler for easy transport.

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Frozen Peanut Butter Pie