Peanut butter and jelly

[SugarAndSun]

This is going to sound crazy, but I spend a fortune on pb and jelly every week. I only buy the natural peanut butter with only peanuts in it and jelly without high fructose corn syrup. We eats tons of it and it gets pricey. Does anyone know where to get this stuff cheaper. I don't think making my own jelly would be cheaper with the cost of fruit so high this time of year.

[lmonter]

If you're not opposed to un-organic berries, you can just get bags of frozen berries (mix, strawberry, etc.) at Costco for slightly more than they cost around my area in season (i.e. $1.50/lb or so vs. $1/lb at my u-pick place). Then you just need some sugar and pectin (I use Pomona Pectin) and a freezer if you don't want to (water bath) can. When you smush/puree the berries, it honestly doesn't matter if they're frozen - being frozen probably actually helps in that regard. Making jam/jelly the first time can be intimidating, but I promise, it's actually pretty easy.

I'm no help with the peanut butter - I just get the Kirkland organic stuff at Costco - peanuts and sea salt. It's like $6-$7/2 pack. Almost cheaper than Jif, honestly.

[ank220]

Maybe get rid of the jelly altogether? You could use fruit slices - i.e. apple/banana slices - or honey on the sandwiches (depending on the age of kiddos eating it) Or, just plain peanut butter. Other than that, I don't have a lot of help. I buy the cheap peanut butter - $1.00 - 1.50 per jar. Just can't afford to eat organics right now.

[aircantu1]

I buy a 2 pack of large jars of Maranatha peanut butter at Sam's -- that's the best deal I've found. It is not the kind where the oil separates to the top, but I don't like that kind. It doesn't have hydrogenated oil though, and it is organic.

Also, my bread machine makes jam/ jelly super quick and easy. I use bags of frozen fruit.

[Tradd]

Originally Posted by ank220

Maybe get rid of the jelly altogether? You could use fruit slices - i.e. apple/banana slices - or honey on the sandwiches (depending on the age of kiddos eating it) Or, just plain peanut butter. Other than that, I don't have a lot of help. I buy the cheap peanut butter - $1.00 - 1.50 per jar. Just can't afford to eat organics right now.

I LOVE PB & banana sandwiches! Much heartier than PB & J.

You might want to check out Trader Joe's for J.

[annethcz]

I recently discovered that our bigger grocery store sells generic/store brand natural peanut butter. I'd never seen this until just a month or so ago. So it might be worth looking for if you can find it.

I only buy 100% fruit spread, usually the (non-organic) Smuckers or Polaner brand. I just watch for sales and stock up when the jars are $2 each.

[phathui5]

We skip the jelly most of the time. The kids don't mind and it's cheaper. Plus it's less work when I have to make eight sandwiches.

[mykidsrock]

I started to make our jam in the summer, large batch that I canned. And for smaller batches, my bread machine has a jam setting. You CAN use frozen berries if you need to.
And for PB, I bought a whole bunch of peanuts inexpensively from my store's bulk bin and am actually going to make my own pb after discovering that my food processor can do it.

[GenB]

I make my own peanut butter. I get jars of unsalted peanuts when our local Publix puts them on sale 2 for one, or get large amounts of fresh peanuts from the local farmers market and roast them. I grind them in the food processor with a little sea salt, a tsp. of honey and a little oil. Its not cheaper than big quantities of inexpensive pb, but its cheaper than the organic/natural kind.

[sagewinna]

I've cut the PB with a little water, blending in the food processor. No one noticed and it spread more easily, too.

[rsummer]

Originally Posted by aircantu1

Also, my bread machine makes jam/ jelly super quick and easy. I use bags of frozen fruit.

Do tell how...

[aircantu1]

My machine has a jelly/ jam cycle. Just put the ingredients in the pan and walk away. I don't know if they all do that or not??

[Vanessa]

You could use honey instead of jelly. My kids love that.

[KariM]

Won't help you right now, but sign up for a CSA or go to a pick your own fruit place next year! We make all of our own sugar free jelly/jam (using fruit juice as sweetener when needed) and never buy any.

Apples are pretty reasonable in most areas at this time of the year. Have you thought about making apple butter?

As for the peanut butter, you *could* try buying peanuts and grinding your own peanut butter. I've never priced it out, but I'd guess it would end up being cheaper.

[Natsuki]

Ditch the jelly or alternate it with apple butter, honey, maple syrup, and fruit.

[Ruthiegirl]

Trader Joe's! Natural peanut butter is $1.69 a jar and jelly is a deal too.

[SugarAndSun]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I will definitely try the pb and banana as well as other fruit. I actually do that with blueberries in the summer, but put the jelly too.

I have been meaning to go to TJs. It is at least 50 miles from me though so I would really have to be there for some reason other than pb or the savings would be lost.

Originally Posted by mykidsrock

I started to make our jam in the summer, large batch that I canned. And for smaller batches, my bread machine has a jam setting. You CAN use frozen berries if you need to.
And for PB, I bought a whole bunch of peanuts inexpensively from my store's bulk bin and am actually going to make my own pb after discovering that my food processor can do it.

Which bread machine do you have? Does it have teflon?