Check the label on a popular jar of peanut butter and you’ll find the following ingredients:

  • Roasted peanuts
  • Sugar
  • Molasses
  • Vegetable oil
  • Mono and diglycerides – form of fat
  • Salt

But I’ll tell you a secret; it only takes one ingredient to make peanut butter — peanuts!

If you’ve tried some of what is often referred to as “natural” peanut butters, you may have not liked that they separate. I’ve settled on a brand called “Krema” which does require you to stir it before using it, but if you store it in the refrigerator, it doesn’t separate again after you’ve first stirred it. I also took their advice and use a table knife to stir it; the knife allows you to get to the bottom of the jar.

It may take you a few sandwiches to get used to the straight peanut taste, but sweeten it with a little honey, if needed. And, when used in desserts and cookies (such as oatmeal powerballs), you won’t miss the other ingredients.