National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day Date in the current year: April 2, 2024

Modern peanut butter was independently invented by three individuals — Marcellus Gilmore Edison, Dr. John Harvey Kellogg and Dr. Ambrose Straub — in the late 19th century. The spread was originally paired with various savory foods, such as toasted crackers, saltines, cheese, watercress, celery, and pimento.

The earliest peanut butter and jelly sandwich recipe dates back to 1901. It was written by Julia David Chandler and published in the Boston Cooking School Magazine. The recipe called for three thin slices of bread with two layers of filling between them: one of peanut butter (or “peanut paste”, as it was called in the recipe) and one of crabapple or currant jelly.

Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches started becoming more popular as commercial brands of peanut butter were introduced and the product became more affordable to people of different social classes. Due to the invention of sliced bread in the late 1920s, sandwiches with peanut butter and jelly became a popular snack among children because kids could easily make their own sandwiches. They have been a hit among children ever since. According to a 2002 survey, the average American child eats 1,500 PB&J sandwiches before his or her high school graduation.

During World War II, peanut butter and jelly were staples of the U. S. military rations. Peanut butter was an inexpensive alternative to meat due to its high protein content; servicemen combined it with jelly to make it more palatable. In addition, peanut butter was not rationed during the war, which made it popular among homemakers as an affordable and readily available source of protein.

A classic PB&J sandwich is made of two slices of white bread with peanut butter and jelly smeared between them. It may also consist of a single slice of bread folded over or be open-faced. As a rule, a layer of peanut butter is spread on one slice, a layer of jelly is spread on the other slice, and then the slices are sandwiched together.

However, smearing jelly on the bread can make it soggy, especially when the PB&J sandwich is made beforehand as a lunchbox item. To prevent this, you can spread a layer of peanut butter on both slices to protect them from moisture contained in the jelly, and then spread the jelly over the peanut butter.

Celebrate National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day on April 2 by indulging in this easy to make and mouthwatering sandwich. You can even throw a PB&J tasting party! Invite your friends over and ask them to make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches with their favorite jelly flavors, try all the sandwiches, and choose the winner by a vote!

If you’re allergic to peanuts, don’t despair. There are plenty of peanut butter substitutes that you can use to make a delicious sandwich. They include, for example, sunflower butter, almond butter (if you’re not allergic to tree nuts), soy butter, and pea butter.