Peanut butter is more than just a lunch box standard. Explore both the sweet and savory sides of this pantry staple in our favorite recipes for peanut butter cookies, pies, cupcakes, and ice cream sandwiches, as well as satay with peanut sauce, Asian-inspired peanut noodles, and lots more.

A fluffy, mousselike filling made of peanut butter, cream cheese, and whipped cream fills a chocolate crumb crust in this no-bake frozen pie. Drizzle melted dark chocolate and peanut butter over the top of the pie for a decorative finish.

Don't be fooled by this simply dressed cupcake. We hid its sweet secret inside: a creamy, fluffy peanut butter filling.

A creamy, tangy sauce of peanut butter, mango chutney, lime juice, garlic, and soy sauce gives these chicken breast skewers irresistible appeal. In place of the chicken, you can also use beef, lamb, salmon, shrimp, or extra-firm tofu.

These chewy peanut butter cookies have a delightful secret: The center is filled with gooey semisweet chocolate. Roasted, salted peanuts give the cookies a pleasing crunch.

Like a grown-up version of a candy bar, this tart features layers of caramel, peanut butter mousse, and chocolate ganache over a chocolate cookie crust. Perfect for a dinner party, this tart can be made a day ahead of time, and the caramel up to three days ahead.

Everyone will have fun assembling their own lettuce cups stuffed with rice noodles, cucumber, shredded chicken or duck, and spicy ginger-peanut sauce. To save time, feel free to use rotisserie chicken or other precooked meat for this recipe.

A combination of semisweet and unsweetened chocolate gives these brownies a delightfully fudgy flavor. The peanut butter filling swirled on top before baking makes these brownies truly memorable.

No oven is required for this easy, four-ingredient cake. Blend whipped cream, confectioners' sugar, and peanut butter until fluffy and mousselike, then layer with chocolate wafer cookies and refrigerate overnight to achieve a cakelike texture.

Peanut butter replaces the traditional chocolate in this sweet, creamy fudge recipe. Dollops of red currant or grape jelly add just the right touch to the finished fudge.

Sesame-ginger slaw and an easy peanut sauce accompany sauteed chicken breast. This dinner for one is tastier than takeout, and healthier too!

Two things that bring out the kid in everyone -- cupcakes, and the combination of peanut butter and jelly -- come together in this fun treat. Strawberry jam complements both the peanut butter cake and frosting.

Soft, cakey chocolate cookies are held together with fluffy peanut-butter buttercream frosting. A touch of sea salt in the filling gives an added dimension to the flavor of these whoopie pies.

Traditional puffed-rice cereal bars get the deluxe treatment with the addition of peanut butter, chocolate layers, and a roasted peanut topping. You can make these easy no-bake treats up to three days in advance.

Melt white chocolate and peanut butter together to form the sweet, creamy filling for these homemade peanut-butter cups. Once finished, these easy candies can be stored in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

The beloved pairing of peanut butter and chocolate takes sippable form in this hot chocolate recipe. The addition of whole milk and cream makes this concoction extra creamy.

This peanut butter cookie's fork marks hold a special surprise: semisweet chocolate piped into each indentation. For best results, refrigerate the dough for several hours before forming the cookies.

Skewers of grilled chicken breast get spicy-savory flavor from sesame oil, soy sauce, garlic, and red-pepper flakes. A simple sauce of creamy peanut butter and rice vinegar accompanies this crowd-pleasing appetizer.

These flourless, chocolate-studded peanut butter cookies from chef Emeril Lagasse are a snap to make. Kids will love to help mix the dough and shape the cookies.

These sweet-and-salty no-bake candies are perfect for kids to make, but adults will love them too: Bind crushed pretzels together with peanut butter, confectioners' sugar, and a touch of butter before rolling into balls and dipping in milk chocolate.

Japanese eggplant and shiitake mushrooms are steamed until tender and dressed in a peanut sauce flavored with ginger, rice vinegar, soy sauce, and brown sugar. Serve this Asian-inspired vegetarian main dish over jasmine rice, brown rice, or noodles.

A nut lover's dream, these cookies have peanut butter in the layers and the sweet filling. The dough for these sandwich cookies can be frozen for up to three months.

Steamed eggplant, snow peas, red bell peppers, and wide ribbons of pasta are tossed with a creamy ginger-garlic peanut sauce. If you like, add cubes of broiled tofu or chicken breast to this dish.

This light-textured frozen dessert has layers of whipped cream, peanut butter, and chocolate. If you prefer, you can substitute purchased caramel sauce or dulce de leche for the chocolate sauce.

Send love in a lunchbox or care package with these adorable raspberry jam-filled peanut butter cookies. No cookie cutters required: Just form the heart shapes in the tops of the cookies with your fingertips.

Strips of rib-eye get irresistible flavor from a marinade of garlic, soy sauce, sesame oil, cumin, brown sugar, and red pepper flakes. Once grilled, the skewers of beef are dipped in a sauce made of peanut butter, rice vinegar, and a touch of ketchup.

The elaborate pattern atop these squares of layered shortbread, peanut butter, and milk chocolate is surprisingly easy to make using a basket-weave mold. Alternatively, you can simply spread the melted chocolate over the peanut butter.

Sandwich scoops of homemade or store-bought chocolate ice cream between fresh-baked (and cooled) peanut butter cookies to make this delightful dessert.

Peanut butter and a hint of cinnamon flavor these chewy granola bars studded with almonds and dried cranberries. Keep these on hand for grab-and-go breakfasts or after-school snacks.

A light dressing of mirin, soy sauce, and ginger coats delicate silken tofu and crunchy radishes and jicama. The accompanying chilled soba noodles are dressed in a sweet and creamy peanut sauce enhanced with coconut milk and ginger.

It takes only 20 minutes to whip up this easy vegetarian main dish of whole-wheat spaghetti, snow peas, carrots, and tofu coated with a sweet and tangy Asian-style peanut sauce.

Peanut butter, cream cheese, sweetened condensed milk, and whipped cream combine to make the smooth filling for this no-bake dessert. Graham cracker crust and a layer of milk chocolate ganache form the base of the tart.

These chocolate-chocolate chip cookies have an unexpected peanut-butter center. The dough uses a combination of butter and shortening to prevent the cookies from spreading too much while they bake.

Using less peanut butter and oil and more broccoli and red bell pepper lightens up this recipe and add bright color to the mix. Toasted sesame oil and minced garlic add depth to the flavor of the peanut sauce coating whole-wheat spaghetti noodles.

Peanut butter cupcakes with peanut butter-cream cheese frosting will knock the socks off of the nut lovers in your life. The distinctive fork marks atop the cupcakes look just like those found on peanut butter cookies.

Layer peanut-butter whipped cream with homemade chocolate or vanilla pudding to make this creamy dessert. Sprinkle crushed peanut-butter sandwich cookies over the parfaits just before serving.

This departure from standard coleslaw has the Asian flavors of daikon radish, scallions, and a peanut dressing brightened up with shallot and ginger. Make the dressing up to four days ahead of time and toss with the vegetables just before serving.

Form these decadent sandwiches by spreading a homemade ice cream of peanut-infused heavy cream swirled with peanut butter between layers of thin, chewy brownies. Freeze for up to one week and cut immediately before serving.

Decorate moist vanilla cupcakes with fluffy chocolate and peanut-butter cream. For an over-the-top treat, crown with chopped peanut butter cups.

Use the handle of a wooden spoon to make indentations just the right size for a spoonful of jam in the tops of these moist little peanut-butter cookies. Use your favorite flavor of preserves, or mix it up and use a few different varieties.

What a marvelous way to use up ripe bananas! To make this easy dessert, puree the fruit and combine with melted chocolate, peanut butter, and whipped cream, then freeze until firm.

Chop chocolate-covered toffee candy bars and mix into the dough of these extra-special peanut-butter cookies -- they're ideal for care packages and lunch boxes.

Oats, crispy rice cereal, and dried fruit are held together by a mixture of honey and peanut butter. Like mini granola bars, these bites are great for breakfasts or midday snacks.

Lean flank steak is marinated in a mixture of ginger, garlic, peanut butter, soy sauce, and rice vinegar before a few minutes under the broiler sears it to medium-rare. A side of sauteed broccoli and scallions completes the meal.

The brown sugar in this classic recipe makes the peanut butter cookies stay moist and chewy. You can store these treats in an airtight container for up to a week, but good luck keeping them around for that long!

Swirl melted milk chocolate and creamy peanut over a base layer of bittersweet chocolate to make this easy bark. Break the candy into pieces and package in cellophane bags tied with ribbon for a fabulous gift.

Lime juice and chili-garlic sauce add zing to the peanut sauce that accompanies this tasty vegetarian main dish. The tofu and red bell peppers are roasted on baking sheets for easy preparation.

A mixture of finely ground chocolate wafers, old-fashioned oats, and both creamy and chunky peanut butters form the bottom layer of these chewy and satisfying no-bake bar cookies. Melted semisweet chocolate covers the top, and drizzles of melted peanut butter and milk chocolate provide a decorative garnish.

Moist pound cake gets a deep chocolate flavor from a generous amount of cocoa powder. An easy peanut-butter glaze adds the finishing touch.

Peanut butter, lime juice, soy sauce, and sugar combine to make an easy peanut sauce. Keep this sauce on hand for dipping spring rolls, kebabs, or grilled vegetables, or for dressing cooked noodles.

Use your favorite homemade cookies -- or opt for store-bought chocolate or vanilla wafers, graham crackers, or shortbread -- to sandwich layers of rich chocolate and peanut-butter cream. Freeze until firm for a cool and easy dessert.

Start your day right with a nutritious breakfast of toasted whole-wheat English muffins topped with peanut butter, wheat germ, and apple slices. You can add variety by substituting the apple with pear, dried apricots, or any other fruit that strikes your fancy.