How to Celebrate National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day

National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day is April 2. Legend has it that American soldiers in World War II mixed their ratios of peanut butter and jelly to make a new treat. When they returned sales of peanut butter and jelly soared. Everyone was soon making PBJ sandwiches. This fun day is a great time to sit down to the table and play with your sandwich. Here are tips for your PBJ Day.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Peanut butter
• Jelly
• Bread
• Knife

1. 
    
   Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich

   Make a basic PBJ sandwich. Take two slices of fresh white, wheat or whole grain bread. Spread 2 tablespoons creamy peanut butter on one slice of bread. Spread 1 tablespoon grape jelly on the other slice of bread. Put the two filling sides together. Serve with a glass of cold milk.

2. 
    
   Minnesota State Fair Jams, Jellies and Preserves

   Swap ingredients and use crunchy peanut butter with your choice of orange marmalade, strawberry jam or raspberry preserves. Some people mix the peanut butter with syrup or add marshmallows, raisins, butter or other fruit.

3. Make a triple-decker. Use three slices of bread. Toast the third slice and put it in the middle of the sandwich with peanut butter and jelly between both layers. Cut diagonally in half and then cut each half in 2 pieces to make a total of 4 small triangular sandwiches. Serve on lettuce leaves with iced tea.

4. Grill it. Make a basic PBJ sandwich. Butter the outer sides of the bread and grill the sandwich in a skillet until each side is golden brown.

5. Slice it. Trim off the crusts for a crustless sandwich. Cut the sandwich in half diagonally or straight. Cut out pieces to make the sandwich into a star, heart, circle or animal.

6. Play with your food. Make a jelly face in the peanut butter. Eat as an open face sandwich. Enjoy your lunch.

Tips & Warnings

• Organic peanut butters are gaining popularity for their great taste.
• Peanut allergies are common. Be sure you have other foods for sandwich guests who have allergies.