You are viewing this article in the AnnArbor.com archives. For the latest breaking news and updates in Ann Arbor and the surrounding area, see MLive.com/ann-arbor
Posted on Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 11:11 a.m.

Peanut butter pudding is a luscious, creamy dessert fit for a celebration

By Mary Bilyeu

peanutbutterpudding.JPG

Mary Bilyeu | Contributor

It's National Peanut Butter Day, which is different than National Peanut Butter Lovers' Day and National Peanut Butter Cookie Day. Don't worry — there's enough love for peanut butter to cover every one of these celebrations!

Today I'm offering a luscious, creamy pudding to show case the fabulous flavor of the star ingredient.  And who could go wrong by adding a bit of chocolate as a garnish?  Especially when the chocolate comes in the form of Reese's peanut butter cups!

Whether you enjoy this rich dessert, an Elvis peanut butter and banana sandwich, some Asian noodles in peanut sauce, or some other dish, just be sure not to miss the party today!

Here are some other recipes for your festivities:

Peanut Butter Milkshakes

Fluffernutter Cupcakes

Peanut Butter Pancakes

Peanut Butter No-Bake Treats

Elvis Muffins

Peanut Butter Pie

Peanut Butter Pudding

2 tablespoons cornstarch
1/4 cup brown sugar
pinch of kosher salt
1/2 cup water
3/4 cup half-and-half
1 egg
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
1/3 cup peanut butter
2 Reese's peanut butter cups, halved
whipped cream

In a 1-quart saucepan, combine cornstarch, brown sugar, salt and water; cook over high heat, stirring constantly, until it becomes translucent and gelatinous. Lower heat to medium. Slowly whisk in the half-and-half. Stir in egg and vanilla and cook until thickened, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and stir in peanut butter.

Divide the pudding among 4 small dessert cups, then cover with plastic wrap. Let cool completely in the refrigerator.

To serve, top with whipped cream and garnish each with half of a peanut butter cup.

Serves 4.


Thumbnail image for Thumbnail image for Thumbnail image for Thumbnail image for Thumbnail image for Thumbnail image for Thumbnail image for Thumbnail image for Thumbnail image for Bilyeu

Mary Bilyeu writes about her adventures in the kitchen - making dinner, celebrating holidays, entering cooking contests ... whatever strikes her fancy. She is also on a mission to find great deals for her Frugal Floozie Friday posts, seeking fabulous food at restaurants on the limited budget of only $5 per person. Feel free to email her with questions or comments or suggestions: yentamary@gmail.com.


You should also visit Mary's blog — Food Floozie — on which she enthuses and effuses over all things food-related.

The phrase "You Should Only Be Happy" (written in Hebrew on the stone pictured in this post) comes from Deuteronomy 16:15 and is a wish for all her readers - when you come to visit here, may you always be happy.

Comments

Tico

Wed, Jan 25, 2012 : 3:08 p.m.

Is Koeze pb okay to use?

Mary Bilyeu

Wed, Jan 25, 2012 : 4:26 p.m.

Oh, I love Koeze's peanut butter - it's the best! I didn't, however, use it for the pudding so I can't say with 100% certainty that it would work. Make sure it's fully mixed, and I think it should be okay ....

treetowncartel

Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 4:59 p.m.

Peanut Butter day? It looks like I need to include the dog in on this and give her a heaping helping pasted to the roof of her mouth. Keeps her busy for a few minutes and always brings a smile to my face.

Tico

Thu, Jan 26, 2012 : 3:08 p.m.

Wow, I never thought I would say this to Jessica but here goes: "And now I wanna' be your dog"!

Jessica Webster

Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 7:08 p.m.

Yeah, freezing slows the whole process down, making the kong last a little longer. We've got one of those really big ones, and I stuff it full of peanut butter and kibble.

treetowncartel

Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 6:02 p.m.

Oh we do the Kong thing, but if it is a holiday then instant gratification is warranted. Interesting about freezing it, we have never tried that.

Mary Bilyeu

Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 5:20 p.m.

Never leave the dog out of the celebration! Especially when you both get so much amusement ... ;)

Jessica Webster

Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 5:14 p.m.

We put ours in a kong and then freeze it. Gives us about 30-40 minutes of peace. :)

seldon

Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 4:25 p.m.

That looks incredible. I need to try it. Another great peanut butter recipe - Peanut Butter Ice Cream: <a href="http://www.kitchenchick.com/2006/06/peanut_butter_i.html" rel='nofollow'>http://www.kitchenchick.com/2006/06/peanut_butter_i.html</a>

Mary Bilyeu

Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 4:29 p.m.

I love peanut butter ice cream! Just thinking of it makes me want to rush out and buy some!

GirlNextDoor

Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 1:33 p.m.

This sounds delicious; my kids love peanut butter. We had peanut butter pancakes with nutella sauce (your recipe from last summer, which we love) for breakfast. Who knew there was a National PB Day? Keep the PB recipes coming, Mary.

Mary Bilyeu

Tue, Jan 24, 2012 : 2:59 p.m.

There's no way to go wrong with peanut butter and Nutella! Keep celebrating today's festivities, and I'll keep finding ways for everyone to enjoy peanut butter. Thanks so much for the sweet comment ... :)