Re-Inventing the Lamington Day Five: PBJ Lamingtons

(In which Mr. P really mixes it up.)

Peanut butter and jelly is as American a combination as you can get. Lamingtons are Australian, and I am British. This one is already starting to sound like a joke. But hear me out!

I adore peanut butter. I eat it almost everyday, and it's a fact (a fact!) that it goes with almost anything. I love the way it coats the roof of your mouth when you eat it, I love the chunky texture, and I love the smooth flavour. If you think you do not like it, leave now and do not come back until you have eaten a scoop of vanilla ice-cream topped with peanut butter. You'll see.



(A related side note: a peanut butter loving colleague of mine, who's from the Czech Republic, says that you can't get peanut butter there - it doesn't exist. Can we all spare a thought for them, please?)




I did not grow up eating peanut butter with jam sandwiches, and admit to struggling with the combination when I first tried it. But then, a few years ago, I saw Nigel Slater (who I think I love almost, but not quite as much as I do Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall) making peanut butter and jelly sandwiches on TV with an American lady, and she said that it was only a true PBJ if you use jelly, not jam, and grape jelly at that. I had never even heard of grape jelly! So, ladies and gentlemen, I hope you'll applaud my getting hold of some specifically for this challenge. How's that for lamington love? In fact, you could use any jam for this, since you have to melt it down anyway, but it is true that the grapey flavour goes quite nicely with the nutty butter filling.

The happy couple.

Nigel Slater's guest also said that real kids ate their PBJs whole, and that only 'a pussy' would cut them in half. I wonder what she'd make of my heart-shaped lamingtons?

Peanut Butter and Jelly Lamingtons

You will need:

1/2 quantity Mr. P's Lamington Base
1 jar peanut butter
1 jar grape jelly
200g dessicated coconut
wafer flowers, or whatever you like, to place on top

1. Cut the cake into the shapes you like. I ♥ peanut butter, so the choice was simple for me.
2. Empty the jelly into a glass bowl, and add a little water. Microwave on full power for a minute or two, stirring often, until all the jelly has melted and you have a thick, purple liquid.
3. Slice the cakes in half, and spread one half with peanut butter. Top with the other half, and press firmly together.
4. Dip these sandwiches into the jelly glaze, and then into a dish of coconut. Coat thoroughly, and set aside to dry.
5. Garnish if you like, before eating.

Don't forget to Re-Invent the Lamington! Deadline 26 January.