And so it begins
That’s right, y’all. Today is the first recipe in the 4 week H-E-B & ConAgra recipe challenge. Every Monday for the next 4 weeks, I and 7 other bloggers, will be sharing recipes featuring a *secret* ingredient.
Each recipe must fit these requirements: 10 ingredients or less, can be made in under 45 minutes and feed a family of 4. This is all to help give y’all new ideas for great back to school dinners. By the end of this challenge, y’all will have 32 new recipes to choose from! Every day during this challenge you have the opportunity to vote on the Meal Maker Back to School challenge Facebook page for your favorite blogger. The top 2 voted bloggers will get to go head to head in a live cook off challenge in San Antonio on August 28th at H-E-B!! The cook-off will be presided over by George Duran!
So, let’s kick this thing off shall we? This week’s secret ingredient:
Peter Pan Peanut Butter
Do you remember eating apples and peanut butter as a child? Well, that is the inspiration for our Secret Recipe Sandwiches this week.
When I started talking about this challenge with Princess and Monkey they were more on board than I expected. Princess immediately came up with the idea of Granny Smith apples and peanut butter.
Since this challenge is all about family friendly meals, I can’t imagine a better way to celebrate than letting my kids create the recipes with me.
Monkey, of course had to have his say: “.. and bacon! Bacon makes everything better”
We tried several different version, grilled, slapped together, rolled like wraps – but these toasted peanut butter, apple honey and bacon sandwiches, were hands down our favorites! The kids gobbled them up and Nathan and I enjoyed them, too.
I admit, I was skeptical about the addition of bacon, but Monkey was right, Bacon adds something special to this sandwich.
5 ingredients – under 30 minutes and feeds 4
My kids loved putting these sandwiches together and they really do eat better when their hands are the ones creating the meals they eat.
If we had more than a 2 slice toaster; this would have gone even faster.
You can also make this recipe even more quickly by using pre-cooked bacon.
Cook 8 slices of bacon, while the bacon is cooking, toast the bread and using a mandolin, slice one medium granny smith apple.
Put peanut butter on all 8 slices of toast, top 4 slices of toast with apples slices and bacon
Drizzle honey over the 4 slices of peanut butter toast that do not have apples and bacon on them.
Place the two halves of the sandwich together, leave whole, or do as we do and cut in half (triangle style)
Serve with slices of sharp cheddar and your favorite chips (my kids chose salt ‘n’ vinegar)
Enjoy!
I hope this quick and easy back to school dinner pleases your kids and whisks you back to the simpler days of childhood, like it did me.
The crisp tangy bite of apple, the sweetness of honey, the salty bite of bacon and the smooth savory peanut butter all captured inside toasted whole wheat bread.
I truly hope y’all love these!
This week, H-E-B makes it even easier to make this (or your own favorite Peanut Butter recipe) Now through August 9th, when you buy Peter Pan Peanut Butter 16.3 oz, you’ll receive an H-E-B Jelly 17-18 oz for FREE! with in-store coupon!! Score!

- 8 slices of bread
- 8 slices of bacon use the pre-cooked, quick heating kind to save even more time
- Peter Pan Peanut butter
- 1 medium Granny Smith Apple
- Honey
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Cook the bacon, while the bacon is cooking, slice the apples (I use a mandolin) and toast the bread.
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Spread the 8 slices of toast with peanut butter
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Top 4 slices of peanut butter toast with apples and bacon
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Drizzle honey over the 4 slices of peanut butter toast that do not have apples and bacon on them
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Place the two halves together, serve in triangles, rectangles or even your favorite cookie cutter shapes
Follow all the H-E-B & ConAgra Meal Challenge Bloggers on twitter with the #HEBack2School hashtag.
Thanks for coming and linking your deliciousness up with me every Monday, I love seeing what y’all are sharing with your friends and family!
If you’d be so kind – take a moment and go vote for me on the Meal Maker Challenge page
For my part in this Meal Maker Challenge, I am being compensated and have received some products (some of which you can win – more about that later) All opinions, recipes, thoughts and ramblings are completely my own.
linked up to JamHands
backcountrybelle says
Great idea…never would have put bacon with peanut butter but it sounds like something really fun to try!
Rachel says
Takes a 4 year old’s mind, apparently 😉 You should try it!!
Debbi Does Dinner Healthy says
I voted, GREAT sandwich! If you send me an email tomorrow (or until the contest ends) I’d be happy to vote again each day. Otherwise I’ll forget, I know I will. Hope you do well!!
Rachel says
Thank you, sweetie! Here’s your reminder **wink wink** 😉 xo
Create With Joy says
What a FABULOUS looking sandwich! I will definitely be giving this a whirl!
Rachel says
Thank you, ma’am! If you do, please come let me know your thoughts!
Jill says
hI,
I shared my Almond Date Energy Bars with a video and two articles I hope you enjoy!
Rachel says
Those sound great, Jill! Thank you!
Mrs. Jen B says
Oooh now THAT is a sandwich I could vote for! 😉
Rachel says
YAY! 🙂 Thank you, ma’am!
burghbaby says
I think these might have to be made using a sandwich iron so that the peanut butter is hot and gooey and the apples are a little soft, but only because this is my summer of cooking with fire.
Fantastic idea!
Rachel says
My mom has a sandwich iron, I want to steal it. If you do that, make the PB thick and the apple slices thicker than shown — 🙂 Just sayin’
xoo Hi, friend!
carolinaheartstrings says
That sandwich looks fantastic!!!! Yum. Come over and visit us today. We have some wonderful boiled peanuts. A true Southern dish.
Rachel says
Those are SO southern! I haven’t had boiled peanuts (REAL boiled peanuts) in years!!!
Chaya says
That is some fabulous sandwich. Would love to see you win.
Rachel says
Thank you, Chaya! I’m kinda proud of my kids and their creation!!!
Thanks, your vote can help!
Amanda Rose says
I posted about cumin seed antioxidant and mineral content as well as some great recipes using cumin seed.
Rachel says
I adore Cumin!
Danyelle says
When I was pregnant with my youngest daughter, I craved pb, apple, and bacon sandwiches all the time. Everyone acted like I was crazy for wanting that combination.
Rachel says
Okay, so 4 yo and pregnant women! LOL – I had never thought of this combo before and I think the addition of honey is brilliant! You’re not crazy, it’s DELICIOUS!
BreAna {Sugar and Spice and All Things Iced} says
These look yummy! I never would have thought of this combination…but now I am seriously wanting some!! Better buy some bacon and apples today!! 🙂 Thanks for hosting the link party!
Rachel says
Hi BreAna, you’re welcome! Thank YOU For commenting and for linking up! I hope you bought some bacon and apples to give this a whirl!
Lisa @ Happy in Dole Valley says
My kiddos would love these sandwiches, and I think I’d enjoy at least a bite or two myself. 🙂 Thanks for hosting! ~Lisa
Rachel says
YAY Lisa! I was surprised that I enjoyed them as much as I did! This was definitely my favorite of all the versions we made!
Heidi's Recipes says
Just got back from my big HEB shop, love that place! Can’t wait to try your recipe and looking forward to more secret ingredients!
Rachel says
Do y’all have the PLUS? We have one, but it’s about 20 minutes away, I love it!!
Thanks!
Bonnie at Sweet Life says
Love this and my hubby would go bonkers for this great sammy, thanks for sharing and stopping by!!
bonnie
Crystal @ Simply Being Mommy says
Oooohhh, now those look like some tasty sandwiches 😉 I can’t wait to try them.
Monkey's Uncle says
I think I just figured out what I’m having for dinner tonight.
Rachel says
LOL Mike! 😉 It’ll so remind you of childhood!
Karly says
I love that you added bacon! I bet those really are yummy!
Rachel says
Karly, you’d love them!!!
Allison @ Alli 'n Son says
I love the creativity involved in making this sandwich. And actually, I think it sounds pretty good.
Thanks for hosting Rachel!
Rachel says
Thank you, Ms Allison! THey are so fun and yummy!
Following In My Shoes says
That sounds REALLY good!
Rachel says
Aww Thanks, Rachel! I bet they sound good to you, being 10 months pregnant!
Mary says
This is my first link up. So excited!
Rachel says
Welcome, Mary!! Thank you for linking up! Hope you are inspired by some of the other amazing bloggers who link up!
natalie g says
you’ve got my vote…
Patty says
Your sandwich looks very interesting! I went and “liked” the H-E-B page on facebook and voted for you. I added the Iced Mocha Frappe. Thanks for hosting!
Micha @ Cookin' Mimi says
I voted for you. I might have to try this I think even the non apple eating nephew might thy this with bacon. What is it with four year old boys and bacon?
Sherry Carr-Smith says
I happened to use the H-E-B sale to get the PB&J this weekend! As I have all the ingredients for your recipe in my pantry and fridge right now, we’re going to have to have these sometime this week! Thanks for the inspiration!
Mom says
I miss H. E. B.! Sandwich sounds yummy. Anything with PB and bacon has to be good!
Michelle says
Ummm yes. Bacon makes EVERYthing taste better. He’s so right. That includes cheese fondue just as an FYI.
Sounds great – and I may try this out for the wee ones. But unfortunately I just can’t do peanut butter. I think I’m the only person I know who doesn’t like it.
Elena says
That looks delicious! Love the combo. The photography is amazing, too!
Ali says
Great recipe! I actually made just peanut butter and bacon sandwiches before, and it was truly delicious 🙂 I’m so glad to see you linked up this delicious recipe. Thank you so much for sharing this at Recipe Sharing Monday. I hope to see you back next week!
Terry says
If I’m not mistaken this was Elvis Presley’s favorite!
I used to make it when I was in College.