8 Ways To Satisfy A Peanut Butter Craving

You know that all too common first date question, "If you were stranded on a deserted island and you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would that food be?" My answer always has, and always will be... peanut butter. Duh. It's delicious, it's nutritious, and since I'm not actually stranded on a deserted island, I'm well aware that there are only about a million things to make when you're craving peanut butter that make it one of the greatest foods of all time. I love that I can give in to my weekly peanut butter hankerings, embrace the mind-boggling versatility that peanut butter offers, and cook up some ooey gooey peanut buttery masterpieces in the comfort of my own non-deserted, climate controlled apartment.

And since you're reading this online, I'd say it's safe to assume that you too do not live on a deserted island, and thus are capable of creating your very own peanut butter masterpiece at home. While there's nothing quite like the heavenly combination that is a good old-fashioned homemade peanut butter and jelly sandwich, we'd be seriously limiting our existence on Earth if we didn't take advantage of the awe-inspiring versatility that comes along with ground peanuts. When I think of peanut butter, I think of the countless culinary combinations that await me. From sweet to savory, just a few of these extraordinary flavor marriages include: peanut butter and chocolate, peanut butter and banana, peanut butter and apple, peanut butter and pear, peanut butter and ice cream, peanut butter and pretzels, peanut butter and oatmeal, and perhaps my personal favorite, peanut butter and bacon.

So the next time you feel an intense peanut butter craving coming on, take a minute to think beyond the traditional peanut buttered and jellied box, using these eight mouthwatering peanut butter-laden recipes as your personal creative catalysts. And with last minute ingredient substitutions, who knows, maybe you'll even discover a brand new flavor combination. Peanut butter and... ? Regardless, happy cooking peanut butter lovers!

1. Chocolate Oatmeal Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies

Three magic words come to mind when I think of peanut butter sandwich cookies: chewy, soft, and gooey. Get the enchanting recipe from A Cozy Kitchen.

2. Peanut Butter Pie With Mississippi Mud Fudge

This creamy, fudgy pie is topped with a drizzle of chocolate glaze, a sprinkling of chopped peanuts, and a smattering of dark chocolate curls. Get the decadent recipe here, courtesy of A Farmgirl's Dabbles.

3. Peanut Butter And Bacon Sandwich With Fontina Cheese And Caramelized Onions

Yes, you read correctly. Climbing Grier Mountain combined creamy peanut butter, crispy bacon, melty fontina cheese, and caramelized onions in one celestial, sandwiched place. Get this incredible recipe here.

4. Peanut Butter Cheesecake

What's the perfect complement to a creamy cheesecake? Creamy peanut butter... and chocolate drizzle, of course. Get this super easy recipe from A Pretty Life In The Suburbs.

5. Double Chocolate Vegan Ice Cream With Peanut Butter Swirl

This mouthwatering double chocolate peanut butter ice cream is vegan-friendly, calling for four cups of coconut milk in place of traditional dairy. Oh, and one teaspoon of bourbon to boot. Follow the step-by-step vegan recipe here, thanks to Against All Grain.

6. Peanut Butter Apple Banana Bread

This kitchen sink recipe will fill your home with the comforting aromas of freshly baked apples, bananas, and peanut butter. Saddle up for fall, and bookmark this go-to Sunday morning recipe by Averie Cooks.

7. Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Pops

Throwing an Arrested Development-themed party? Who isn't? Thankfully, Back To Her Roots has got your themed menu covered with this frozen chocolate peanut butter banana pop recipe. And if you're in a planning pinch, just remember — there's always money in the banana stand.

8. Peanut Butter Popcorn

This quick and easy recipe will satisfy that peanut butter craving in less than 20 minutes. Get the five-ingredient recipe from Taste And Tell Blog.

Looking for more great food ideas? Check out Bustle on YouTube.

Images: Fotolia; A Cozy Kitchen; A Farmgirl's Dabbles; Climbing Grier Mountain; A Pretty Life In The Suburbs; Against All Grain; Averie Cooks; Back To Her Roots; Taste And Tell Blog