If you’re the kind of person who sneaks off to the pantry with a spoon for a snack of peanut butter straight from the jar, these peanut butter desserts are for you!
Whether you prefer smooth or crunchy, use a jar of peanut butter in sweet treats, from barfi, puddings and smoothies to vegan ice cream.
This post may contain affiliate links as it is sponsored by United Foods India; all opinions and work is my own.
If you’re cooking on a budget (or even if you aren’t) you want to get the most out of every ingredient in your cupboard. After all, no one likes to pull something out of the back of the cupboard only to find it’s passed the expiration date. And one of the most underused pantry staples we’ve found is that ever-present jar of peanut butter.
Though anyone with kids (and anyone who’s been a kid) knows the value spreading it on bread or toast with some jelly (and, we might suggest, a few slices of banana), that tends to be the sum of it for about 90 per cent of people. A few more might occasionally whip up a batch of easy peanut butter cookies, but that’s where most cooking with peanut butter begins and ends. This is a shame because this creamy (or crunchy) concoction can do much more!
Not only is it filling and healthy, but it is also great if you’re trying to lose weight
If you thought that peanut butter sandwiches were only for kids, here’s something you should know.
- Peanut butter has several health benefits — it has the enviable combination of fibre and protein, which makes it filling. This makes you feel full longer, so you end up eating less overall.
- It is also packed with nutrition because a serving of peanut butter has 3 mg of the powerful antioxidant vitamin E, 49 mg of bone-building magnesium, 208 mg of muscle-friendly potassium, and 0.17 mg of immunity-boosting vitamin B6.
- Studies have also shown that having peanuts can reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes and other types of chronic health conditions. One study even found that consuming one ounce of nuts or two tablespoons of peanut butter about five times a week can lower the risk of developing diabetes by a whopping 30%.
- Peanut butter is also high with monounsaturated fat, which is good for the heart. Researchers say that insulin-resistant adults who ate a diet high in monounsaturated fat had less belly fat than people who ate more carbohydrates or saturated fat.
- Peanuts contain high concentrations of poly-phenolic antioxidants, which reduce the risk of stomach cancer by reducing the formation of carcinogenic nitrosamines. They are also an excellent source of resveratrol, an antioxidant, which has a protective function against cancers, heart disease, degenerative nerve disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and viral/ fungal infections.
Here is Super Smart Ways to Cook with Peanut Butter full of healthy choices towards the good health with our amazing 5 Healthy Easy Peanut Butter Desserts Recipes (Vegan, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)
Do you LOVE peanut butter? I seriously hope you do, because it’s one of the biggest staples and most popular ingredients on Healthy Foodie list! I’ve rounded up quite a few special peanut butter-infused treats for you today.
1.Peanut Butter Chocolate Barfi
Barfee is easy, quick and delectable fusion Sweet. The good news for chocoholics is that it has chocolate too. After all “Chocolate is happiness you can eat” ;). This barfi is made with rich peanut butter and chocolate, a delightful combination!
Ingredients
• Coconut milk powder ( you can swap with dairy milk too )
• Coconut milk
• Coconut cream
• Magic leaf Stevia sugar I use this brand as they are pure plant-based sugar
• Cocoa powder
• oil for greasing the plate or box
•Nutty Peanut butter we use this brand as they are without any additives and 0% trans fat
• Dark Chocolate sprinkles (optional)
Instructions:
Peanut layer
1. Grease the plate with oil or line the box with the parchment paper.
2. First, dry roast the milk powder in a pan for 3-4 minutes without burning.
3. Remove and leave it aside.
4. In the same pan combine milk, cream, and sweetener.
5. Bring it to boil on medium heat and let it simmer for a couple of minutes.
6. Now add 2/3 of the milk powder and mix well, keep stirring all the time to prevent burning the mixture.
7. Once the mixture starts getting thicker, add peanut butter.
8. Mix well and let the cooked mixture until it leaves the pan.
9. Quickly pour the mixture into the lined or greased tray and spread evenly.
10. Leave it aside.
Chocolate layer
1. In the same pan combine cream, milk, and sweetener.
2. Bring it to boil and let it simmer.
3. Add remaining milk powder and cocoa powder.
4. Cook the mixture until done.
5. Spread it over the peanut barfi layer.
6. Press it with a clean spatula.
7. Sprinkle the chocolate sprinkles.
8. Let it sit for at least 2-3 hours.
9. Once done cut the barfi with the sharp knife into the desired shape, sprinkle some crushed nuts.
2. Peanut Butter Mousse
Ingredients
• 2½ tbsp nutty creamy peanut butter
• ¼ cup plain Greek yoghurt
• ⅛ tsp vanilla extract
• ½ tbsp natural sweetener
• small pinch of salt
• ½ tbsp crushed nuts
Instructions
• Add all the ingredients to a large blender or food processor and puree until smooth. Scrape down the sides of the bowl when necessary.
• Give it a taste and add more stevia or salt to taste. Be sure to puree the mixture as much as possible, you don’t lose anything by over blending but you sacrifice texture and flavour by under blending!
• Decorate with crushed nuts
• Serve immediately or chilled.
3. Reese’s peanut butter Frappuccino
The rich chocolate taste and sweet peanut butter flavour is a match made in heaven. Save money (and calories) spent at coffee shops by making your own blended drink at home!
Ingredients
¾ c double-strength coffee, chilled
½ c skim milk, chilled ( For a vegan version, substitute your favourite non-dairy milk: oat milk )
1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder (regular or dark)
1 tbsp nutty crunchy peanut butter
2 ice cubes
1tsp sweetener, to taste, such as Stevia
½ tsp nutty chocolate peanut butter, warmed
Instructions
Add coffee, milk, cocoa powder, and crunchy peanut butter to a blender. Pulse until well combined, scraping down the sides as necessary. Add the ice and sweetener. Blend until smooth and no large ice chunks remain. Pour into a glass, drizzle with the warm chocolate peanut butter, and serve immediately.
Notes: To prepare the double-strength coffee, I used 2 teaspoons of instant coffee crystals mixed with ¾ cup water.
4. No-Bake Peanut Butter Cheesecake
Ingredients
1/4 cups Oreo/graham cracker Crumbs
1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted / coconut oil
2 pkg. (250 g each) Philadelphia Brick Cream Cheese softened
1 cup Nutty Smooth Peanut Butter
1/2 cup stevia sugar
2 bars (100 g each) dark chocolate, chopped, divided
1-1/2 cups low fat Whipped cream
Instructions
• Mix crumbs and butter; press onto bottom of a 9-inch springform pan. Refrigerate 10 min.
• Beat cream cheese, peanut butter and sugar with mixer until well blended. Add half the dark chocolate; mix well. Whisk in 1 cup Whipped cream. Spoon over crust. Refrigerate 3 hours.
• Microwave remaining Whipped cream and dark chocolate in small microwaveable bowl on HIGH 1 min.; cool slightly. Pour over cheesecake. Refrigerate until firm. When ready to serve, run a knife around rim of pan to loosen cake; remove rim.
5. Banana Peanut Butter Swirl Ice Cream
Ingredients
• 4 ripe bananas, chopped into 3cm chunks, then frozen
• 2 tbsp almond/ oat milk
• 1 tbsp Nutty chocolate peanut butter
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tbsp of dark chocolate, grated
• 1 tbsp flaked almonds
Instructions
• Tip the frozen bananas and almond milk into a blender. Blend together to create a smooth consistency. Add the peanut butter and cinnamon, and blend again. Taste and add more cinnamon, if you like.
• Transfer to a freezer-proof container and freeze for 1 hr.
• Take out of the freezer and serve with grated chocolate and flaked almonds sprinkled over.
Why I love Peanut Butter….
Why I love Peanut Butter….
Because it’s one of my favourite ingredients as it’s packed full of protein, good fat, nutrient-dense, and oh yeah, HELLA YUMMY! 😋
By Priyanshi Bhatnagar
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