Peanut Butter Squares–Another Memory Food

In August I blogged about an intense craving I was having for my grandmother’s sugar cookies. In September I was craving another childhood treat that had me emailing the principal at Myrtle Grove Elementary School in Pensacola, Florida–my grade school Alma Mater.

When I was in school there, the best thing you could get in the cafeteria was the peanut butter squares they used to sell. Wrapped in thin plastic wrap with a ten-cent price tag, what more could you ask for? We’d unwrap the greasy little squares and smoosh them into rounder balls before biting into them. The texture was slightly rough–not like crunchy peanut butter and very, very sweet. And rich. I got to thinking about these about when school started up this fall. Funny that..another food craving that comes with the changing season.

So I emailed the principal in September. Receiving no response, I sent a second email today, and she responded almost immediately. I don’t know whether she saw me as a pesky alumna bent on stuffing my face with peanut butter, or just that she had forgotten my rather strange request. Whatever the case may be, I thanked her wholeheartedly for the recipe.

Even my hubby remembers the same thing being served in his elementary school in Reno, Nevada. I think it might be one of those few very All-American-school-subsidy-specialties that have fallen off the school menu for a variety of reasons. I asked the principal at my elementary school if they still served them, and, of course, they do not. She said that the allergies of students prevents them from being on the menu. When I looked at the contents, I imagine they might have something to do with their being taken off the menu as well. It’s probably a step above eating a Reese’s peanut butter cup, but not by much.

Peanut Butter no bake cookies
2 1/2 c. powdered sugar
2c. graham cracker crumbs
1 c butter
1/2 c. chunky peanut butter
1/3 c granulated sugar
1 t. vanilla
Combine powdered sugar, crumbs, butter peanut butter, 1/3 c. sugar and vanilla and stir until well blended. Roll 1 inch balls in granulated sugar. Place balls in an airtight container with wax paper. Store the cookie balls in refrigerator.

Usually, I take photos and put them in the blog for a good visual, and sometimes I go searching on the net for something that will work. I found Another blog here that had posted the recipe and photos a year ago. The adaptation there looks yummy, too. My school peanut butter squares never had chocolate on them.