As I was looking through what #Holidays is celebrated this week I found out there was a day dedicated to #Fluffernutter. The more I thought about it the more I kept wondering what it would taste like. Then I thought of #homeschool moms and dads, and now I have something for you, too!
If your children are studying the United States, why not take this little food discovery and turn it into a homeschool lesson? You can study the New England region, learn about the state of Massachusetts, and discover why a peanut butter and marshmallow creme sandwich became such a beloved food there.
You could pull out your map of the United States and have your children find Massachusetts. Talk about where it is, what states surround it, and how life and food traditions in New England might be different from what we know here in Texas. Then introduce them to the Fluffernutter!
Have your children research where Fluffenutter came from, how it got its name, and why people in New England have enjoyed it for generations. You can even make this a geography, history, reading, and cooking lesson all in one. But here is the question I still have: Is Fluffernutter something you buy, or is it something you make?
From what I have learned, you buy the marshmallow creme, often sold as Marshmallow Fluff, and then make the sandwich yourself with peanut butter and bread. You can also make marshmallow creme from scratch if you want to turn the activity into a bigger cooking project. The original Marshmallow Fluff is still produced in Massachusetts. You can learn more about Marshmallow Fluff here.
I am curious whether families outside New England know about this sandwich, too. Do you find Marshmallow Fluff in your regular grocery store, or is it something you have to search for? And if you make Fluffernutters with your children, I would love to hear what they think!
Did they like the combination of peanut butter and marshmallow? Was it sweeter than they expected? Would they eat it again? Did learning about Massachusetts make them interested in trying other foods from different parts of the United States?
If you are homeschooling, let your children join the conversation. Have them tell us what they learned about Massachusetts, what they thought about the Fluffernutter, and why they think this sandwich became so popular and when.
🥪 FLUFFERNUTTER
FACE-OFF!
Three sandwich ideas. One family taste test!
Discover a New England favorite and decide which spread wins at your house.
1. Your Shopping Checklist
Check what you need before you head to the store.
You don’t need every ingredient to participate. Pick the spreads your family wants to try!
2. Meet the Sandwich Contenders
The Classic Fluffernutter
Peanut butter + marshmallow creme + bread.
The Nutella Sandwich
Chocolate-hazelnut spread + bread. Add peanut butter if you like.
Charlie’s SunButter Sandwich
Sunflower-seed butter + bread. Try it plain or with marshmallow creme.
The Peanut Butter & Jelly
The familiar favorite: peanut butter + your favorite jelly or jam + bread.
3. Make a Classic Fluffernutter
You’ll need: 2 slices of bread, peanut butter, marshmallow creme, a plate, and a butter knife.
- Spread peanut butter on one slice of bread.
- Spread marshmallow creme on the other slice.
- Put the slices together, cut in half, and enjoy!
The peanut butter and marshmallow creme are the classic filling. Adults can help younger children with spreading and cutting.
4. Our Family Taste-Test Scorecard
Taster’s name: Date:
For each sandwich you try, circle or check the words that describe it.
My favorite tasted…
My final verdict
My favorite sandwich was:
I liked it because:
Would I eat it again?
5. Homeschool Geography & Food History
Let’s travel from Texas to New England!
One thing I learned about Massachusetts:
One question I still have:
6. Share Your Results!
Have you eaten a Fluffernutter before? Did you grow up with it, or was this your first taste? Which sandwich won your family’s taste test?
Homeschool families: Tell us what you learned about Massachusetts and what your children thought of the sandwich!
Our family’s final winner:
My suggestion: Print this in color for the kids, or in black and white to save ink. It works as a shopping list, recipe, family activity, and Massachusetts homeschool lesson all in one.
Here in Texas, my family and I are just learning about it. Maybe your family can help us understand what we have been missing! So, have you ever eaten a Fluffernutter? Do you buy the ingredients and make your own, or do you have a special family recipe? Come share your answers with us at GreatfulMoments.com.
GratefulMoments.com
Grateful. Thankful. Blessed.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
