PB & J Dip (Video)

Sometimes, when you least expect it, a stroke of genius hits you.

That’s how I get all my greatest foodspirations*. I’ll be sitting around (hungry), thinking about food (is there anything else worth thinking about?), and then some beautiful idea hits me out of the blue so suddenly that I’m practically knocked right out of my chair. This PB & J Dip was born from such unexpected grace.

It was one of those situation where the second I thought of it, I had to make it right then and there. Well, sort it. I thought of this when I was tucked snugly in bed, trying to fall asleep, so I didn’t exact hop up from my half-conscious state and flee to the kitchen. But I did make if first thing the next day. Thank goodness I did.

This is the easiest dip you will ever make in your life. You only need four ingredients, peanut butter, jelly, whipping cream and powdered sugar, and it comes together in mere minutes. But that’s not the best part, my little cookies. This dip is crazy-insane, blow-your-mind, hug-your-grandma, praise-the-heavens delicious. So, it’s easy to whip together and downright divine to eat…is this real life?

Well, if I am dreaming, then no one pinch me. I wan to stay in my bowl of PB & J deliciousness forever. With layers of luscious, fluffy peanut butter mousse and tart yet sweet jelly, it is like dipping into heaven’s bowl. Top it off with a layer of salty roasted peanuts and discover textural bliss between the light, creamy dip and the crunchy nuts. This is what all salty-sweet foods dream of being.

It’s that familiar flavor combo you loved served up in a new, indulgent way. Grab your dipper of choice and dive in.

I serve this PB & J Dip with hunks of moist pound cake, salty pretzels, and crisp mini vanilla wafers. They are all perfect vessels in their own way. Which one you choose is entirely up to you.

A Few Tips Before You Get Cooking:

1. Want to whip you whipped cream really fast? There are two keys to speedy whipping: super cold cream and a chilled bowl. Keep you cream in the fridge until you’re ready to use it so it’s nice and chilled and, if possible, let your bowl chill out in the fridge for a while too.
2. Use whatever flavor jelly you like best.
3. I don’t recommend using crunchy peanut butter. It will ruin the smooth texture of the mousse.
4. Crackers, brownie chunks, shortbread, and celery sticks would also make great dippers.
5. Instantly turn this dip into a trifle: Layer crisp ladyfingers between the PB and J layers and refrigerate for at least 6 hours.
6. This dip is PERFECT for parties. Dip is the ideal party food, plus who doesn’t love peanut butter and jelly?
7. Make sure you watch my how-to video below!

Peanut Butter and Jelly Dip
By the Smart Cookie Cook

Ingredients:

• 2 cups heavy cream
• 1 cup + 2 tbsp. powdered sugar
• 1 cup creamy peanut butter
• 1 12-oz. jar of jelly (your choice of flavor)
• Salted roasted peanuts for garnish and crunch
• Assorted dippers: chunks of pound cake, vanilla wafers, pretzels

Directions:

1. In a large mixing bowl, whip the cream and sugar on high speed until stiff peaks form.
2. Gently fold in the peanut butter until well incorporated.
3. In a large glass bowl or trifle dish, spread one-third of the peanut butter mousse onto the bottom of the bowl. Top with half of the jelly and spread out evenly. Add another third of peanut butter and spread out. Top with the other half of jelly, followed by the last third of the peanut butter. Smooth out evenly. Your layers should be: PB, jelly, PB, jelly, PB.
4. Top with a generous sprinkle of roasted peanuts and serve. Store leftover covered in the fridge for up to 2 days.

*Foodspiration – n – a brilliant inspiration involving food.