Mmmm… peanut butter and pumpkin. What a great combo! My favourite snack of all time is an apple with peanut butter. I have it like…..every day. OK, maybe 5 times a week, but still. Who doesn’t love peanut butter!? I didn’t think my go-to snack could be improved, nor did I want to mess with it, but when all these pumpkin recipes started popping up on Pinterest this fall, I saw a recipe for peanut butter pumpkin cookies and my mind was blown. I had to test the combo of these two gems!
I was on the phone with my sister when I was making this dip and when I took a taste test I’m pretty sure she thought I was nuts because I very rudely interrupted her story with, “Oh My God!! I just made the best thing that ever existed!!!” Perhaps I can be a little dramatic? Like calm down, Diane, I’m pretty sure this isn’t going to win any awards….
I love this spread on toast topped with banana slices, as as dip for my apple slices or pear slices, or… pretty much by the spoonful is best.
Plus, it’s pretty good for you and your brain health. Pumpkin contains the amino acid tryptophan, which helps raise levels of serotonin in your brain, which boosts your mood and makes you feel happy. It’s also high in vitamins A, D, C, E, and K. Since vitamins A, D, E, and K are all fat soluble vitamins, you need to eat a good source of fat with them to reap their benefits. Here the pumpkin is mixed with delicious, delectable, healthy, fatty, natural, peanut butter, so it’s perfect! This is exactly why people need not fear (healthy) fats. They are so essential to your health, especially brain health! So eat those nuts, avocados, healthy oils, and seeds every day!
A note about peanut butter: I’ve read a lot of information debating whether it’s good or bad for you, and I can’t find a convincing article one way or the other. There are pros and cons, but if you’re worried about it, switch to all-natural almond butter. I’m not worried about it, but I always eat all-natural peanut butter that contains only peanuts, and preferably organic. Google it and decide for yourself!
| Pumpkin Dip | Print |
- ½ cup pumpkin puree
- ½ cup all-natural peanut butter or almond butter
- 2 - 3 tablespoons of maple syrup, to taste
- pinch of salt if nut butter is unsalted
- ½ tsp. cinnamon*
- ½ tsp. groung ginger*
- dash of ground nutmeg*
- dash of ground cloves*
- *in place of all spices, you can substitute 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- Place all ingredients in a bowl and mix well until completely smooth and combined.
- Enjoy with apple, banana, or pear slices, spread on toast, or blended into a smoothie!
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one week.
