Peanut butter, especially when it’s combined with chocolate, is one of my favorite small indulgences. There’s something about that blend of sweet with salty that I never tire of experiencing.

Peanuts even have their own national day of recognition. Did you know women prefer peanut butter, while men typically go for the chunky variety? I break the mold there—I’m a fan of the smooth creamy texture.

According to the National Peanut Board, it takes more than 500 peanuts just to make one 12-ounce jar of peanut butter. And by law, a product labeled as “peanut butter” must be at least 90 percent peanuts. You can find many more fun facts about this wonder that grows underground here – however, my contribution to the celebration is sharing some of my favorite recipes featuring peanut butter!

Honey Cinnamon Peanut Butter

Honey Cinnamon Peanut Butter. Photo: National Honey Board.

This Honey Cinnamon Peanut Butter is a simple, delicious and nutritious spread that’s perfect on toast at breakfast, for serving at a gathering of friends, or a bed-time snack. This recipe, courtesy of the National Honey Board makes 1 cup.

Peanut Butter Cup Cookies

Pappy’s Peanut Butter Chocolate Cookies. Photo: John Scroggins

From our 13 Days of Christmas Cookies last year, this simple recipe is easy to make and yields delicious chewy Peanut Butter cookies topped with a peanut-butter cup. It’s very difficult to eat just one.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Bloom Cake

Chocolate Peanut Butter Bloom Cake. Photo: Jim Bailey.

What is “bloom“? When you whisk a dry (in this case cocoa) with a hot liquid; and for some scientific reason, the flavor of cocoa multiplies substantially, giving you a deep chocolate flavor, especially when you add even more chocolate to the blooming process. This recipe is courtesy of Guest Chef Jim Bailey, The Yankee Chef.

Homemade Tagalongs

Homemade Tagalong Cookies. Photographer: Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylists: Margaret Monroe Dickey and Karen Shroeder-Rankin, Prop Stylist: Kay E. Clarke.

If you love the combination of chocolate and peanut butter, you’ll love this recipe for Homemade Tagalongs from Siri Daly, Today Show food contributor and author of Siriously Delicious.

Chocolate Dipped Peanut Butter Heart Cookies

Chocolate Dipped Peanut Butter Cookies. Photo: Michael Mech.

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, these cookies will steal the heart of your crush or you can just enjoy them by yourself in the privacy of your own home! The recipe is from Guest Chef Michael Mech, The Bungalow Chef.