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{I am so excited to be partnering with The J.M Smucker Company on today’s post. It is full of peanutty recipes, family fun and all things fall!!}
I am so excited for today’s post. It’s so fun and it’s HUGE!! Prepare for A LOT of photos.
I really don’t even know where to start. So many things to chat about today, so many pictures to share…ehhh!
Ok, so I may be jumping the gun a tad with today’s fall inspired picnic, but I just cannot help myself. The leaves are really starting to change here in the mountains and the mornings are crisp. Like extra crisp. Like 30 degrees and frost CRISP. Basically what I’m trying to say is that fall is here and I am embracing it.
My family is as well, and so is Smucker’s, who have partnered with the National Parks Conservation Association to bring awareness to all the beautiful National Parks our country has to offer. I mean, how cool is that?!? Clearly, I was super excited to be part of this, seeing as I love hiking, I live in Colorado and my backyard is literally a national forest.
Can you say perfect or what?!?
{that’s Kai up there}{two peas and a pod right there}{that’s the best guy ever up there}
I brought my family along on this post and we all took a HUGE family hike. We headed over to Aspen with mom, dad, Brendan, Kai, Red, Max (my cousin who is currently living with my family)…and of course Blake too (Creighton, Trevor and Asher were there in spirit, Trevor and Asher met us over in Crested Butte). We hiked the West Maroon Creek trail from Aspen, CO to Crested Butte, CO and made a fun weekend out it. My brother Kai, stole my camera for the entire hike, so all the gorgeous photos you see are courtesy of that guy…he’s kind of best.
Now the picnic and all the food you see??? That was all me!! And yes, it did take me all day to set up that table, but I kind of loved every minute of it!
Also, just a little sidenote, since we traveled a little ways to take our family hike, I actually made the picnic at home the next weekend where we enjoyed the picnic right in our own backyard… and this time, little Miss Asher got to join!
Much easier than carrying this huge spread you see on a twelve-mile hike…I’ll leave that for the pros!
{I promise, that is not fake}{these three…}
GEEK FACTS
Total recreation visitors to the national parks in 2014: 292,800,082…whoa baby.
There have been almost 13 billion visitors to national parks since 1904…too many zeros to count.
The most visited national park in 2014 was Great Smoky Mountains National Park…good old Smoky Mountains. 🙂
George Washington Carver, a scientist and inventor who devised over 100 uses for the peanut, is commemorated at 2 national parks: George Washington Carver National Monument in Diamond, MO and Tuskegee Institute National Historic Site in Tuskegee, AL…cool dude.
You can visit President Jimmy Carter’s boyhood peanut farm and learn all about peanuts at Jimmy Carter National Historic Park in Plains, GA…who knew??? not me.
Yellowstone National Park was established by Congress as the nation’s first national park on March 1, 1872…it’s always cool to be the first.
National parks contain:
At least 247 species of threatened or endangered plants and animals…aww, sad… lets keep um safe! 🙂
18,000 miles of trails…better get my hiking shoes on.
The world’s largest carnivore, the Alaskan brown bear…scary.
The world’s largest living things, Giant Sequoia trees…whoa! cool.
The highest point in North America, Mt. McKinley (just recently renamed Denali) at 20,320 feet, in Denali National Park…that’s high.
The lowest point in the Western Hemisphere, Badwater Basin in Death Valley National Park, at 282’ below sea level…how low can you go?
{crazies…}{RedBull gives you wings??}{clearly he is not very smart…}
So while my family and I had so much fun hiking through the national forest/parks, my favorite part was creating this fall harvest peanut picnic spread using Smucker’s Natural Peanut Butter (which is made from only the best fresh roasted peanuts and adds an unprocessed, robust peanut flavor to all my favorite recipes!!)! It was pretty easy to come up with a peanutty fall spread, actually it was hard to decide on just what to make! Originally, I had like ten recipes set out for this post, but then I rationalized with myself and figured maybe, just maybe, I didn’t need THAT much food in my picnic.
Sometimes I can get a bit carried away…whoops!
Also, Smucker’s Natural Peanut Butter is available in five varieties (creamy, chunky, honey, reduced fat and no salt), so you know I had a REALLY hard time not wanting to use all five. So much to try, so many possible recipes combos! AHH! I am excited. Can you tell?? Sorry, you know I really love peanut butter and especially good peanut butter that’s good for me too!
{chocolate peanut butter kisses up there}
But let’s talk about these recipes. There are six total. Yes, six recipes in one post! I know, I know. I am overwhelmed too, but let’s just go through these nice and slow.
>>>one, Warm Peanut Cider. I know this may sound odd, but apple and peanut butter is the best snack ever, so naturally, cider with the slightest hint of peanut flavor is also the best thing ever. Trust me on this…so good.
>>> two, Peanut Butter, Apple and Cheddar Croissant Sammies with Peanut Granola. Yum, yum, YUM. That’s honestly all I have to say about these. It doesn’t get better than peanuts on a flaky croissant with chunky peanut butter, cheddar cheese, thinly sliced apples and some crunchy homemade peanut granola. Best peanut butter sammie ever… no really… best ever.
>>>three, EASY Peanut Butter Pumpkin Seed Granola. I mean, do I really need to explain this? Just try stopping at one handful, you can’t it’s addicting…but it’s cool cause this is like so totally healthy – yes.
>>>four, Thai Grape Quinoa and Peanut Salad. I adore these flavors so much. Thai and peanuts go incredibly well together and the grapes add a nice, sweet little crunch. Eat this warm or cold, either way is delicious and very healthy.
>>>five, Peanut Butter Chocolate Acorn Cookies. How fun and festive are these?!?! I just love them! Of course they’re perfect for popping, one by one, into your mouth. So cute and also so very easy to make. You will love these for fall entertaining.
>>>six, Chocolate Peanut Butter Kisses. This. oh this recipe. it’s my favorite. it’s simple. it’s amazing. it’s a crowd pleaser. it’s perfection in a cute little chocolate cup. Plus, those kisses on top…they make me smile. Honestly, this recipe will change your world. MAKE IT.
I also had lots of cheese, grapes, apples and pomegranates for picking. It was seriously the best picnic, and I have to say, I was pretty proud of my spread!! And those blankets?? Aren’t they cute?? I ordered them just for this picnic! I love setting a beautiful spread!
Do I have you feeling fall yet?? Are you ready? Is it picnic time?!?!?
Please say yes!
Cause below are my six recipes that I am so in love with, and I hope you will be too! Let me know if any of you have your own picnic or even if you just make a recipe! I would love to hear about it!! OK, that’s it. Enjoy all the photos and recipes!
{peanut butter, apple and cheddar croissant sammies with peanut granola}{warm peanut cider}{thai grape and peanut quinoa salad}
Peanut Butter, Apple and Cheddar Croissants Sammies with Granola.
Spread the bottom of each croissant with apple butter and then spread 1 tablespoon peanut butter over the butter. Add a slice of cheddar cheese and a few thinly sliced apples. Sprinkle with granola.
Spread the remaining tablespoon of peanut butter on the top half of the croissant and place over the granola. Serve or wrap tightly in plastic wrap for up to 1 day.*
Notes
*If possible, eat the sammies as soon as you assemble them, as I found the croissants themselves get stale fast.
In a large bowl, combine the oats, pepitas, peanuts, cranberries and a pinch of salt.
In a small sauce pan, melt together the coconut oil, maple syrup and peanut butter over medium-low heat until smooth and creamy. Remove from the heat and add the cinnamon + vanilla. Pour the mixture over the oat mixture and toss well to evenly combine the ingredients. I normally stir for a good 3 to 5 minutes.
Spread the granola out onto a parchment lined baking sheet with sides. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes so that the granola gets evenly toasted. The last time you stir the granola, drizzle it with the 2 tablespoons honey and add the butter. Remove from the oven and let cool completely before storing. Store up to two weeks at room temperature.
Notes
*It is VERY important that you really mix your peanut butter well before adding it to the recipe. You want to make sure you mix any oil at the top of the jar with the peanut butter below so that it is smooth and spreadable.
In a large salad bowl, whisk together the peanut butter, sweet thai chili sauce, fish sauce, soy sauce and rice vinegar until smooth. Add the quinoa, grapes, basil + cilantro and toss well to combine.
Garnish with peanuts and fresh mint. Serve warm or cold.
Notes
*It is VERY important that you really mix your peanut butter well before adding it to the recipe. You want to make sure you mix any oil at the top of the jar with the peanut butter below so that it is smooth and spreadable.
In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat together the peanut butter, egg, sugar, baking soda, vanilla and salt until the dough comes together. Roll the dough into small teaspoon size balls and then flatten them slightly. Using the tines of a fork, gently press down on each cookie in a crosshatch pattern. Place the cookies on a baking sheet and repeat with the remaining dough.
Place in the oven and bake for 8-10 minutes until slightly puffed. Allow to cool completely before finishing.
When ready to assemble, smear a small amount of melted chocolate onto the bottom of a kiss. Press onto the flat bottom of the cookie. Smear a little more chocolate onto the flat bottom of a chocolate chip, and press onto the rounded top of the cookie. Repeat with remaining ingredients. Set aside to dry, about 30 minutes. Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Notes
*It is VERY important that you really mix your peanut butter well before adding it to the recipe. You want to make sure you mix any oil at the top of the jar with the peanut butter below so that it is smooth and spreadable. **Cookies adapted from [Martha Stewart | http://www.marthastewart.com/892348/easy-peanut-butter-cookies].
Line 24 small muffin cups with mini cupcake liners. If you do not have a mini muffin tin you can just use a regular one.
Add the chocolate chips to a microwave safe bowl and microwave on 30 second intervals stirring each time until fully melted. Using the back of a small spoon, coat the inside of cupcake liners with melted chocolate. I like to coat them really well and put a little extra in the bottom, but this is up to you.
Refrigerate until firm about 20 minutes or place in the freezer for 10-15 minutes. If there are any thin spots you can add more chocolate then refrigerate again until firm.
While the chocolate is hardening beat the peanut butter, powder sugar, butter and vanilla in a small bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer until smooth and creamy.
Once the chocolate is hard spoon the peanut butter filling into chocolate cups. If the chocolate starts to get a little soft just place them back in the fridge as you work. Once you have filled all the cups, unwrap the chocolate kisses and place one on top of each peanut butter cup. Refrigerate until ready to serve. These taste best cold right out of the fridge! Don't forget to first remove the cupcake liners before serving.
Add the cider and peanut butter to a large pot and bring to a low boil. Once boiling, remove from the heat and let cool slightly. Carefully pour the cider into a blender and blend for 1 minute. Add the cider back to the pot and add the cinnamon stick. Simmer over low heat for 20 minutes or until ready to serve. Serve warm.
Notes
*It is VERY important that you really mix your peanut butter well before adding it to the recipe. You want to make sure you mix any oil at the top of the jar with the peanut butter below so that it is smooth and spreadable. **To bring this on a picnic, I recommend carrying the cider in a thermos.
The Easy Peanut Butter, Pumpkin Seed Granola, was a hit on our Winery Picnic with a group—such an excellent accompaniment to all the cheeses and charcuterie. Thank you for the great recipe.
Ok, so I have my seasons reversed and am so loving this right now in June! These are all absolutely & addictively delicious! The granola was so, so good- I have been searching forever for a recipe to love and this was it! I’m wondering if I could do this with cashews & cashew butter, or somehow implement coconut milk as well. Any suggestions?❤️ I will be making these all again & again- thank you Tieghan & happy fall, I mean, happy summer to you!??
Everything about this post is stunning! You are so amazingly talented!!
I made the quinoa salad for dinner on Friday night and the fam loved it. It’s my favorite quinoa dish on your site so far! I also made the granola tonight to have for breakfast this week. Except my family ate it ALL for dinner!! So I will have to be making more! It also made the house smell delicious!
Hi Tieghan- Can I leave out the cinnamon in the peanut butter granola recipe? Is there another spice that I could substitute? I want to make this for my son, but he has to limit cinnamon. Thank you!
The Easy Peanut Butter, Pumpkin Seed Granola, was a hit on our Winery Picnic with a group—such an excellent accompaniment to all the cheeses and charcuterie. Thank you for the great recipe.
Hey Kym,
Wonderful!!🌴🍍 I appreciate you making this recipe and sharing your review, love to hear that it turned out well! xx
Ok, so I have my seasons reversed and am so loving this right now in June! These are all absolutely & addictively delicious! The granola was so, so good- I have been searching forever for a recipe to love and this was it! I’m wondering if I could do this with cashews & cashew butter, or somehow implement coconut milk as well. Any suggestions?❤️ I will be making these all again & again- thank you Tieghan & happy fall, I mean, happy summer to you!??
I am so glad you like this post and the granola! Thank you so much Gia! xTieghan
This clinches it. I need to visit Colorado and go hiking. STUNNING.
Also, peanut cider, HELLO.
Yes! It’s a must! Thanks Kate!
Everything about this post is stunning! You are so amazingly talented!!
I made the quinoa salad for dinner on Friday night and the fam loved it. It’s my favorite quinoa dish on your site so far! I also made the granola tonight to have for breakfast this week. Except my family ate it ALL for dinner!! So I will have to be making more! It also made the house smell delicious!
Thank you so much!! I love when the house smells of deliciousness !!
Hi Tieghan- Can I leave out the cinnamon in the peanut butter granola recipe? Is there another spice that I could substitute? I want to make this for my son, but he has to limit cinnamon. Thank you!
Hi Juliet! Yes, the cinnamon can easily be left out, no biggie! I would not add in another spice, just leave the cinnamon out. Hope you love this!