Jif’s First New Peanut Butter in 10 Years Tastes Just Like a Reese’s Cup

I am a peanut butter fanatic. The creamy nut spread is one of my major food groups. Rarely is there a time when I don’t have a jar stashed in my cabinet. I even gave it up for Lent one year. (Never again!)

This love affair began at an early age. I grew up on Jif, and peanut butter sandwiches were often a go-to school lunch. Nowadays, I prefer natural peanut butter (the kind you have to stir after opening) and put it on virtually everything from yogurt bowls, to pancakes, to toast.

Unsurprisingly, I’m also a huge fan of chocolate and peanut butter together — one of the ultimate flavor combinations, in my opinion. It goes well in ice cream, brownies, cookies, you name it. One of my favorite midnight snacks is melting a couple of pieces of chocolate with a spoonful of peanut butter, then mixing in some cereal or granola. I often throw some dried cranberries in there as well for the added chew and tartness. (Don’t knock it till you try it.) 

Needless to say, when I found out that Jif was releasing a new peanut butter and chocolate spread, I knew I had to get my hands on some.

What You Should Know About Jif Peanut Butter and Chocolate Flavored Spread

Believe it or not, it’s been over 10 years since Jif has launched a new peanut butter. Maybe it’s because the team behind one of the leading peanut butter brands was super busy formulating the perfect combination of peanuts, sugar, peanut oil, cocoa, and other flavorings — which is what this new spread is made of. We may never know.

What is clear? The company has big (and small) plans for these spreads. Starting May 1, you can find the 15-ounce jars and 1.1-ounce “To Go” cups in bulk online. Along with the cups, you’ll see individual jars pop on shelves at retailers nationwide later this spring and throughout the summer.

Buy: Jif Peanut Butter and Chocolate Flavored Spread To Go Cups, $3.69 for 8 (1.1-ounce) cups at Amazon

My Honest Review of Jif Peanut Butter and Chocolate Flavored Spread

Given that I’m a peanut butter lover (and purist), I just dug my spoon in the jar and tasted it straight. The spread was velvety smooth with a pretty sheen. It almost looked like a rich chocolate frosting or ganache. It has a similar texture to Jif’s classic, no-stir peanut butter spread — thick enough to stick to the spoon, but still easily spreadable.

One bite brought back memories of sneakily spooning some out of the jar after coming home from school as a child. The spread coated my mouth and had a strong peanut butter flavor with a hint of chocolate on the finish. The saltiness of the peanut butter came forward more than anything else and reminded me of a Reese’s peanut butter cup, but less sweet. That said, it’s certainly more sugary than the peanut butter I typically buy.

I could definitely see myself using this for a number of things; it would be great served with pretzels, drizzled over fruit, swirled into oatmeal, spread on a pancake, blended into a chocolate banana protein smoothie, or just eaten straight out the jar. 

Buy: Jif Peanut Butter and Chocolate Flavored Spread, $42.17 for 12 (15-ounce) jars at Amazon

Do you have a favorite sweet spread? Tell us about it in the comments below.