Peanut Butter & Jelly Sandwiches [The Perfect Duet Remix]

The ultimate comfort sandwich made with natural ingredients that taste better than you remember. This is childhood nostalgia perfected for any age – wholesome, satisfying, and endlessly customizable with clean ingredients.

Makes

Serves 2

Total Time

10 min (10 min prep)

Ingredients

Sandwich Base:
4 slices whole grain bread (sourdough or cassava flour preferred)
4 tbsp (60g) natural peanut butter (no sugar added)
2 tbsp (30g) fruit preserves (no sugar added) or fresh berry mash
1 tbsp (14g) grass-fed butter (for grilled version)
Pinch of sea salt

Fresh Berry Mash (Optional):
1 cup (150g) fresh strawberries, mashed
1 tbsp (15ml) raw honey
1 tsp (5g) chia seeds
1/2 tsp (2.5ml) fresh lemon juice

Make it Good For The Gut (Optional)

Use fermented nut butter if available for natural probiotics. Add 1/4 teaspoon probiotic powder to berry mash. Choose sourdough bread for beneficial bacteria and easier digestion. Include 1 teaspoon ground flaxseed in berry mash for omega-3s and fiber. Use prebiotic honey (raw, unfiltered) to feed beneficial gut bacteria.

Remix Options

Nut Butter Alternatives: Try almond butter, cashew butter, sunflower seed butter, or tahini for different flavors and allergy considerations. Fruit Combinations: Use grape preserves, apricot jam, mixed berry, or fresh sliced banana with honey drizzle. Bread Upgrades: Try sprouted grain bread, gluten-free options, or homemade oat bread for variety. Gourmet Additions: Add thin apple slices, hemp seeds, coconut flakes, or a drizzle of maple syrup. Protein Boost: Include 1 tbsp protein powder mixed into nut butter or add Greek yogurt spread. Grilled Variations: Make French toast style by dipping in egg mixture before grilling, or try waffle iron pressing. Open-Face Style: Serve on toasted bread with toppings artfully arranged for elegant presentation.

Good To Know

Natural Peanut Butter Benefits: Choose varieties with only peanuts and salt – provides protein, healthy fats, and sustained energy without added sugars or oils. Chia Seed Power: Adding chia seeds to berry mash provides omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, and natural thickening while boosting nutritional value. Bread Selection Strategy: Sourdough offers easier digestion due to fermentation, while sprouted grain provides enhanced nutrient absorption. Salt Enhancement: A tiny pinch of sea salt on peanut butter enhances natural flavors and balances sweetness – same principle as salted caramel. Assembly Order: Apply peanut butter to both bread slices first to create barrier preventing jelly from making bread soggy. Temperature Considerations: Room temperature ingredients spread more easily and blend flavors better than cold ingredients straight from refrigerator. Storage Tips: Best consumed immediately, but wrapped sandwiches keep 2-3 hours without becoming soggy if peanut butter barrier method used. Grilling Technique: For grilled version, butter outside of assembled sandwich and cook over medium-low heat to warm through without burning.

steps

Prep Berry Mash:

If making fresh berry mash, combine mashed strawberries with honey, chia seeds, and lemon juice in small bowl. Let sit 10 minutes to thicken and develop flavors.

Toast:

Toast bread slices until lightly golden brown and crispy on outside but still soft inside. This provides texture contrast and prevents sogginess.

Spread:

Spread peanut butter evenly on all four slices of bread, creating complete coverage to edges. This acts as barrier to prevent fruit from making bread soggy.

Season:

Sprinkle tiny pinch of sea salt on peanut butter on two slices. This enhances the nutty flavor and creates perfect sweet-salty balance.

Add Fruit:

Spread preserves or berry mash on top of peanut butter on two slices, leaving small border around edges to prevent spillage when pressed together.

Assemble:

Place remaining bread slices on top, peanut butter side down, and press together gently but firmly to seal edges and distribute fillings evenly.

Optional Grilling:

For grilled version, spread butter on outside of sandwiches and cook in skillet over medium-low heat 2-3 minutes per side until golden and warmed through.

Serve:

Cut diagonally with sharp knife for classic presentation and serve immediately while bread is at optimal texture and flavors are perfectly balanced.