Hold on to your hats, almond butter lovers. You are about to be seriously happy.
When almond butter first became a thing, I got really excited and ran out to buy some. And then, boom. Huge disappointment. It wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t peanut butter.
I think that was my problem. I was looking at almond butter through the lens of peanut butter and expecting something just like that. When I learned to step back and appreciate almond butter on its own, then it was so much more delicious. Plus, then I could open up all the baking doors and make those fun desserts happen!
It’s the same deal with white chocolate. If I look at it like chocolate, then nope, not interested. But once I start to see it as a dessert on its own, white chocolate becomes totally legit.
A lot of life is like that. If we let our expectations rule our reality, we’re probably doomed to be disappointed. It’s like when someone talks up a movie a lot and it just doesn’t wind up shaking your universe. That happened to me with The Martian, and I wish I could have just seen it before anyone framed it as the best movie ever for me. It would have been a better experience.
Expectation definitely becomes a problem with human interaction. I can’t tell you how many parents of students I teach compare them to other siblings or to themselves, expecting that the child we’re discussing will or should be the same way. No matter how much I gently suggest to them that everyone is different and brings varied talents to the game, they only want to see what their minds have taught them is the norm.
And don’t get me started on relationships. When I was younger, I had a type. That type was the exact opposite of Kenny, and it turned out that I didn’t know squat about what was best for me until I opened myself up to the possibility of a different kind of man. Thank heaven I got the message at the right time, but what about people who keep doggedly pursuing a type of person who they’re positive is right, only to realize time and time again that it’s not working out?
You see? Almond butter inspires an awful lot of deep thought.
These bars are almost like candy. There’s no flour or egg in here either, so yay for that! But these are filled with almond butter, powdered sugar, and regular butter. Mmm. And let’s not forget about that layer of melted milk chocolate on top.
My almond butter-hating brother tried these and was pleasantly pleased to discover that they were surprisingly delicious. And I haven’t stopped knocking them back, either. I’m on batch number three!
It’s hard to adjust our expectations when we’re so biased (often unknowingly) in a different direction. But if we just keep trying new things, we’ll open up the possibilities. And that’s very good news for life, and especially for dessert!
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I’m in the land of the stomach virus. Again.
If you read my blog with any regularity, you know that my children are constantly infecting me with diseases. I can’t seem to make them stop. And while I’ve grown reconciled to the common cold, I wish that stomach viruses could stop being the number one thing my kids transmit on a regular basis.
It’s been a week of adjustment as I move from one school building to another and take on my new job responsibilities. I’ll be adjusting for quite a while, but there are some constants in my life that keep me grounded.
My family, of course. My kids are still at that age when they want me around all the time, so I’ve been peeling them off me as I head to the car to go to work. It’s a nice feeling, being wanted. I know they won’t always feel that way, so I’m enjoying that. And Kenny is my rock, the one who listens to me talk endlessly when I’m decompressing after a long day.
But let’s not forget you all! JAB is one of my constants as well, and I love the rhythm of baking for the blog. Nothing is quite so relaxing as mixing things together. This week, I decided that the tired bananas on my counter needed a little more than just the usual treatment, so I got sneaky and put a cheesecake filling into the center. Hello, beautiful!
Nosebleeds can really interfere with your dignity.
I was teaching yesterday when all of my students started giving me this funny look. It took me a second longer to realize that blood was freely gushing out of my nose (I’m a very enthusiastic bleeder). Like the cool teacher I am, I grabbed the tissues and kept on talking about Nick and Gatsby and Daisy. But honestly, with literal blood on my hands, I don’t think I recovered very well. There went that class. I’ll do better next time.
Mir – I’ve learned that making almond butter from scratch is the best way to enjoy it. Sally, from Sally’s Baking Addiction, has an amazing maple almond butter recipe and my entire family is obsessed. These bars are so beautiful! 🙂
Erin @ Miss Scrambled Egg recently posted…Red Velvet Pizzelles with Cream Cheese Frosting
True, but I find that in the crazy hectic life I lead, there isn’t always time to make it from scratch! So this way I can enjoy it and get dessert out of it too!
I expected almond butter to taste very similar to peanut butter when I first tried it, too. I was pretty disappointed, but it’s grown on me. These bars look delicious! I love how thick they are, especially with the layer of chocolate on top!
Gayle @ Pumpkin ‘N Spice recently posted…Cheesy Garlic Bread
It sure isn’t PB, Gayle! But it’s delicious once you get used to it.
I love almond butter – we always have a jar of it around (have done ever since our first round of Whole 30), so these are right straight up my alley. And since I am still feeling chocolate deprived since the Valentine’s Day Incident, these will need to go on my weekend treat for Kate list!
Kate @ Framed Cooks recently posted…Lyonnaise Sandwiches
That’s one element of Whole 30 I can get behind! Other than that…yeah. Almond butter yay, deprivation no! 🙂
I can never decided if I prefer almond butter of cashew butter – it’s such a tough decision. I think I will have to make these just to be sure. You know, for research.
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy recently posted…Comment on Pasta e Fagioli Soup by Dannii
Research is so vital, Dannii!
These bars look outrageously awesome…like, good enough that I may need to buy some almond butter and try it for the very first time good 🙂 Love these Mir!
Trish – Mom On Timeout recently posted…Rolo Stuffed Chocolate Cake Mix Cookies
You’ve never tried it? Well, this is research for your blog then, Trish! 🙂
ha! I watched Martian without zero expectation just around a week back and LOVED it! you are absolutely right, it’s all about expectations!! but I am expecting these bars to be crazy good and I am sure this expectation is totally valid!
Manali @ CookWithManali recently posted…Moong Dal Halwa
I wish I’d seen it before everyone talked it up, Manali!
There are a lot of deep thoughts I’ve been neglecting to pay attention to, lately. It’s time I get me some almond butter and open the floodgates. Another great post, my friend. And these bars = perfection!
annie@ciaochowbambina recently posted…Linguine with Sweet Sausage, White Truffle Butter, Sage & Parmesan
Ha. Almond bars apparently make me philosophical, Annie! 🙂
I have totally thought the same thing about almond butter – it’s not peanut butter so why bother? And white chocolate – it’s just not chocolate. Although I will say I’ve enjoyed white chocolate in some stuff, as long as I don’t consider it chocolate! Pretty sure I could get on board with these almond butter bars too, they look amazing!
Stacey @ Bake.Eat.Repeat. recently posted…Banana Pancakes
I think those foods just need to be showcased a different way. After all, almond butter and jelly on bread is just nowhere near PB & J!
I love almond butter. I could put it on anything. I know that some people bring their own special salts or condiments with them to restaurants. I could do that with almond butter. I’m really digging the fudgy texture with these. Sounds rich and wonderful.
Amanda recently posted…Morning Glory Smoothie
I dare you to bring it to a restaurant, Amanda! 🙂
I did that same thing with almond butter!! And these bars. OMG. I want the entire pan!
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust recently posted…Peanut Butter Candy Bar Pie
Almond butter is MUCH more fun in a dessert bar!
That is one gorgeous-looking bar! 😮 I have not tried almond butter yet, but these bars have certainly piqued my interest. Yum!
Michele @ Alwayzbakin recently posted…Samoa Cookie Cups
It’s worth a shot, Michele!