Spreading Chunky Peanut Butter This Way Will Keep Your Bread From Tearing

It seems sandwiches are often one of the first things we learn how to prepare for ourselves as children. That, and maybe bowls of cereal. The reason for this, in most cases, is that sandwiches are just easy to make. They don't require heat or an oven, unless you want to toast them, and that's definitely not a requirement. Since there are so many variations and combinations to try, there is usually at least one kind that satisfies even the pickiest of eaters.

However, despite their simplicity, making sandwiches can leave room for error. Especially if it's a mistake that started in childhood and was never unlearned. Or maybe the more truthful thing to say it is that many of us were just never taught the right way to do it.

The best example: the peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Anyone who has made a good old PB&J knows spreading the peanut butter, particularly the chunky variety, often means tearing the bread — especially if it's a really delicate and soft bread like a white loaf. It might be easy to assume that's just an issue we all have to live with for as long as we choose to eat peanut butter sandwiches. Yet, did you know there's actually a pretty easy solution for this problem?

One simple switch will revolutionize the way you spread peanut butter.

According to Eat This, Not That, there's a fairly simple trick to reduce the pain and frustration that comes when spreading chunky peanut butter. The food publication advises PB&J connoisseurs to place multiple small spoonfuls of the buttery goodness around the edges of the bread instead of a large dollop in the center.

"This will make it easier to spread," the article explained.

If that doesn't work, you could also try warming the peanut butter up for a few seconds in the microwave to make it just a little softer and more spreadable.

"If all else fails, consider switching up your bread. Opt for firmer, heartier varieties instead of super soft pre-sliced bread," Eat This, Not That shared.

As a final layer of defense against the peanut butter army, consider toasting your bread before adding any spreads. It will make the surface a little firmer and help it stand its ground against the powerful peanut butter.