National Peanut Butter Day 2012: Recipes, History and Other Crazy Holidays [PHOTOS]

By Michael Billera | January 24 2012 11:39 AM

Photo: Flickr.com

Peanut Butter Cookies

Ingredients 1 cup unsalted butter 1 cup crunchy peanut butter 1 cup white sugar 1 cup packed brown sugar 2 eggs 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda Directions Cream together butter, peanut butter and sugars. Beat in eggs. In a separate bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Stir into batter. Put batter in refrigerator for 1 hour. Roll into 1 inch balls and put on baking sheets. Flatten each ball with a fork, making a criss-cross pattern. Bake in a preheated 375 degrees F oven for about 10 minutes or until cookies begin to brown. Do not over-bake.

Photo: http://moonstarsandpaper.blogs

Chocolate Coated Peanut Butter Crackers

Ingredients 3/4 cup peanut butter 2 pounds vanilla flavored confectioners' coating 80 buttery round crackers 2 1/4 ounces colored candy sprinkles Directions Spread approximately 1 teaspoon peanut butter on each of half of the crackers. Top with remaining crackers to make peanut butter "sandwiches". Melt chocolate-flavored almond bark OR vanilla candy coating in the top of a double boiler over hot, not boiling, water. Reduce heat and keep chocolate in top of double boiler over simmering water. Dip each cracker "sandwich" in chocolate, allowing excess to drain back into pot. Place coated crackers on wax paper to cool. Sprinkle with multi-colored sprinkles or other holiday decoration. Allow coating to completely set, placing in refrigerator for 15 minutes, if necessary. Store between layers of wax paper in cool, dry place, or refrigerate. These also freeze well. [Source: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/chocolate-coated-peanut-butter-crackers/detail.aspx]

Photo: Flickr.com

Peanut Butter Bars

Ingredients 1 cup butter or margarine, melted 2 cups graham cracker crumbs 2 cups confectioners' sugar 1 cup peanut butter 1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips 4 tablespoons peanut butter Directions In a medium bowl, mix together the butter or margarine, graham cracker crumbs, confectioners' sugar, and 1 cup peanut butter until well blended. Press evenly into the bottom of an ungreased 9x13 inch pan. In a metal bowl over simmering water, or in the microwave, melt the chocolate chips with the peanut butter, stirring occasionally until smooth. Spread over the prepared crust. Refrigerate for at least one hour before cutting into squares. [Source: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/peanut-butter-bars-i/detail.aspx]

It's the most wonderful time of the year! National Peanut Butter Day has once again arrived and is in full force.

The phrase #NationalPeanutButterDay became a trending topic on Twitter. However, how many people actually know the history of peanut butter and what National Peanut Butter Day really is?

Peanut butter dates back to 950 B.C. in South America. Peanuts were part of nutritious meals of the ancient Incas and were reportedly said to make a paste-like substance spreading it on food. Aztecs also used a similar process to mash peanuts into a pasty substance. However, it was very different than the modern peanut we find in stores today.

Many doctors, inventors and scientists have been said to be the creator of peanut butter, including George Washington Carver. However, he did not actually invent the tasty treat. He discovered and promoted of 300 uses for peanuts.

The invention of modern day peanut butter can be credited with three individuals: Dr. Ambrose Straub, Dr. John Harvey Kellogg, the founding father of Kellogg brand cereals, and Marcellus Gilmore Edson.

Edson allegedly patented peanut paste in 1884 in Canada after successfully milling roasted peanuts, reported Huffington Post. Dr. John Harvey Kellogg patented a Process of Preparing Nut Meal in 1895, serving his patients, who visited him at his Battle Creek Sanitarium, peanut butter, according to About.com. He actively marketed his new product as a healthy protein filled alternative. Then, in 1903, Dr. Ambrose Straub of St. Louis allegedly patented the first peanut butter machine.

By 1914, many companies throughout the United States began making their own peanut butter.

But, don't forget to celebrate two other holidays today.

January 24 is also Beer Can Appreciation Day. Beer Can Appreciation Day celebrates the fateful day when the first beer can was sold, forever having a major impact on football tailgates and college campuses across the United States for generations. There is a major market for beer cans, surprisingly. If you find an old beer can, make sure you save it and get a value on it. You can make a quick buck or two.

Today is also Compliment Day. It was created in 1998 by Kathy Chamberlin and Debby Hoffman. Today is great opportunity to say something nice to your friends, family and coworkers.

So remember, eat some peanut butter, say something nice about your friends and then share a toast with a couple of beers. And scroll through the slideshow for some great peanut butter recipes!