Alright, first of all stop laughing. I’m fully aware that you don’t need a recipe for a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. But there are tips and techniques, especially for making peanut butter and jelly Uncrustables. What’s an Uncrustable you ask?
Smucker’s came out with frozen Uncrustables in 1998. Who would have thought such a simple idea would become such a blockbuster for a huge food company. Sometimes it’s the simple ideas that work. We give you tips and techniques to homemade Uncrustables the way you like them.
Easy to freeze and have on hand whenever you want them. And one of the most convenient on-the-go sandwiches out there.
Uncrustable Maker
Yes, there are scientific inventions and then there are just plain practical innovations. The Uncrustable maker is just practical, but wonderful at the same time.
I’ve found that the plastic cutter from Wonder Bread does the best job, even better than the metal versions. But none of them are perfect. Welcome to the real world. With a little practice they make great on-the-go sandwiches.
The Uncrustable maker is a two piece machine. One piece is used to mark the perimeter where the peanut butter and jelly should stay in. The second piece smooches the two pieces of bread together to make a sealed sandwich perfect for grab and go. No mess on your shirt………or your kid’s shirt……..or your kids shoes………..or your desk……….or your tie……….you get the picture.
The Best Bread For Peanut Butter And Jelly Uncrustables
Use your favorite bread. We’ve found that white bread “smooshes” together better than whole wheat or multigrain bread. An “in-between” bread like Nature’s Own Honey Wheat works well too.
The main thing is to find a big enough slice so that when you use the Uncrustable maker that the crusts are not included in the final sandwich.
When you are in the grocery find a loaf of Wonder bread. You can either buy and use Wonder bread or use it as a size indicator. Meaning the bread is big enough that the crusts won’t be part of the sealed peanut butter and jelly sandwich.
Yes, I have been that weird woman in the store holding the Wonder bread loaf up to my favorite bread to see if the loaf is as big as the Wonder loaf. My favorite bread or peanut butter and jelly Uncrustables is potato bread, specifically Martin’s.
How To Make Peanut Butter and Jelly Uncrustables
Lay out two pieces of bread and press the inner piece of the Uncrustable maker into each piece of bread. Just hard enough to make an imprint. The only reason to do this is so that you have a border to stay inside when spreading the peanut butter and jelly. Leave about a ½” border so that the fillings don’t squeeze out when you press the sandwich.
Spread a thin layer of peanut butter on both sides of the bread, it will only be about a teaspoon or so. If you put too much of the filings the bread will burst when you use the Uncrustable maker.
The reason for spreading the peanut butter on both sides is to make a barrier so that the jelly doesn’t seep through the bread after it defrosts. You use the same technique on a good ole PB&J.
Then spread a scant teaspoon of jelly on one side of the bread. Now flip one side of the bread over the other, trying to line up the filling.
Put both pieces of the Uncrustable maker together, center on the sandwich and press down hard, jiggling the maker back and forth once you have hit the cutting board. The sandwich may not have been completely cut through.
Use one hand to hold down the cutter while peeling away the bread from the cutter.
Once you remove the cutter there may be excess bread. You can leave as is. Or for a more uniform look use a knife or scissors to trim off the excess bread off the peanut butter and jelly Uncrustables.
If the sides don’t seal completely the use the tines of a fork and press around the entire perimeter of the sandwich until it seals.
Need To Make Gluten-Free or Peanut Free Uncrustables?
No problem. Some people are allergic to nuts, and as such some schools or businesses won’t let you bring in any kind of peanut butter sandwich or treat.
You can use whatever nut butter that you want to make peanut free Uncrustables. Almond and sunflower butters are good choices.
As for Gluten-free Uncrustables just choose a gluten-free bread. They don’t always bind well. So you may want to take the tines of a fork and press around the sealed sandwich once you are finished making the peanut butter and jelly Uncrustables.
How To Freeze Peanut Butter And Jelly Uncrustables
Flash freeze the sandwiches. Meaning place on a baking tray in a single layer and freeze for an hour or two. Then place in a labelled freezer bag or container and freeze for up to 3 months. You can freeze longer but the bread may become soggy the longer you freeze the sandwiches.
The best way to serve is to remove the peanut butter and jelly Uncrustables freezer for about 30-60 minutes to defrost. You should eat the sealed crustless sandwich within 6-8 hours.
For best flavor don’t microwave. Actually, the frozen sandwiches are pretty good themselves even without defrosting.
If super pressed for time and you absolutely need to use the microwave, then wrap in a paper towel and microwave for about 20 seconds and eat immediately. The microwave dries out the bread and can make the filling extremely hot.
Ingredient Substitutions
Peanut butter – use your favorite nut butter, any will do. Some schools and offices don’t allow peanuts of any kind so a substitute nut butter should be used. Now you have a peanut free Uncrustable!
Jelly – any flavor jelly, jam or preserve will work. Or substitute honey.
Or skip the peanut butter and jelly all together and make a Nutella Uncrustable. Yum!
White bread – white bread is gummier and seals better than most bread. I tend to use potato bread. My favorite is from Martin’s. Wonder bread works well, but some people don’t care for the preservatives. I also buy Nature’s Own Honey Wheat which seals almost as well as white bread.
Multi grain and wheat breads don’t tend to seal all that well. With those breads you may just as well make a regular peanut butter and jelly sandwich and cut off the crusts. You may have jelly spill out, that’s the only downside.
You May Also Like:
Homemade Peanut Butter Granola Bars
White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies
Peanut Butter and Jelly Uncrustables
This is more about technique than it is a recipe because, well, no one really needs a recipe for a PB&J sandwich! Peanut butter and jelly Uncrustables are the perfect on-the-go sandwich, sealed, crustless and keeps your hands from getting sticky
Ingredients
- 2 pieces potato bread or your favorite bread
- 1 teaspoon peanut butter or your favorite nut butter
- 1 teaspoon jelly any flavor
Instructions
-
Lay out two pieces of bread on a cutting board and press the inner piece of the Uncrustable maker into each piece of bread. Just hard enough to make an imprint. The only reason to do this is so that you have a border to stay inside when spreading the peanut butter and jelly.
-
Spread a thin layer of peanut butter on both sides of the bread, it will only be about a teaspoon or so. If you put too much of the fillings the bread will burst when you use
the Uncrustable maker. Leave about a ½” border so that the fillings don’t squeeze out when you press the sandwich. -
Then spread a scant teaspoon of jelly on one side of the bread. Now flip one side of the bread over the other, trying to line up the filling.
-
Put both pieces of the Uncrustable maker together and press down hard, jiggling the maker back and forth once you have hit the cutting board. The sandwich may not have been
completely cut through. -
Use one hand to hold down the cutter while peeling away the
bread from the cutter. -
Once you remove the cutter there may be excess bread. You can leave as is. Or for a more uniform look use a knife or scissors to trim off the excess bread.
Once you remove the cutter there may be excess bread. You can leave as is. Or for a more uniform look use a knife or
scissors to trim off the excess bread.Eat immediately or freeze.
Recipe Notes
Why spread the peanut butter on both pieces of bread? The peanut butter acts as a barrier so that the jelly doesn’t seep through the bread when it defrosts. You use the same technique on a regular ole PB&J.
What Bread To Use: White or potato bread work best for sealing. Light wheat bread seals fairly well. Wheat and multi-grain bread don’t seal very well.
Substitute ingredients for Peanut Butter and Jelly Uncrustables: You can use any nut butter instead of peanut butter. Which is great for schools or work that don’t allow peanut products. And of course if you or your child is allergic.
Instead of jelly use honey.
Or instead of peanut butter and jelly use Nutella for a treat.
See post for other tips and tricks on peanut butter and jelly Uncrustables or sandwiches
Freeze: Flash freeze and the use for up to 3 months. Best if defrosted for 30-60 minutes. Eat within 6-8 hours. If refrigerated then eat within 2 days. You can do the same thing with a regular peanut butter and jelly sandwich or even a meat and cheese sandwich. You just don’t want to put mayonnaise on it.
Leave a Reply