While we all loved a bit of peanut butter on a slice of fresh bread as children, this nostalgic spread can be magnificent when turned into a grown-up dessert, too. Whether you’d prefer a simple, familiar peanut butter cookie, or smooth ice cream churned to buttery perfection, we’ve hunted down five places that hit the sweet spot with this cupboard staple.

A photo posted by Jason Bakery (@jasonbakerybree) on Aug 3, 2016 at 11:38pm PDT

Bardough by Jason (City Bowl)

For the perfect coffee accompaniment, try Jason’s peanut butter and chocolate cookie topped with chewy roasted marshmallows. Yes, R40 for a cookie is pretty steep, but this is a particularly good cookie and definitely worth it. The biscuit is both crumbly and creamy at the same time, with pockets of oozing dark chocolate that taste magic with bites of marshmallow. Alternatively, keep your eyes on Jason Bakery’s Instagram page for limited-edition treats like the peanut butter, crème pâtissière and Horlicks sugar croissant cup.

The large peanut butter cookies at Bardough by Jason. Photo supplied.

Cheyne’s (Hout Bay)

After you’ve tucked into a feast of pan-Asian flavours, the ‘happy endings’ section on Cheyne’s menu will tempt you with a double-thick peanut butter shake. This beauty is taken to decadent heights with miso butterscotch, chocolate soil and crushed nuts for crunch. The rich dessert goes for R65.

The Creamery Café (Mouille Point)

Most Capetonians are well aware that The Creamery is one of the go-to spots for beautiful ice cream flavours, but what’s even more delicious is the hot-cookies-and-ice-cream combo. Try your scoop of 65% cocoa chocolate or peanut butter ice cream with a hot double-peanut-butter cookie. The creamy dairy dollop will melt into the chewy nutty treat and leave you feeling completely smug. R48 for a cookie plus one scoop.

The double peanut butter hot cookie with a dollop of peanut butter ice cream at The Creamery in Mouille Point. Photo supplied.

My Sugar (Sea Point)

Sea Point chocolatier My Sugar has become known for Instagrammable treats such as cake jars and gourmet doughnuts drenched in chocolate and filled with sweet treats. Peanut butter fans won’t be disappointed with the glorious doughnuts filled with a fluffy chocolate-and-peanut-butter mousse and topped with glossy ganache and candied peanuts (R35 each).

The peanut butter and chocolate mousse filled doughnut at My Sugar. Photo supplied.

Unframed Ice Cream (Gardens)

All the flavours at this brand-new ice cream parlour are constructed with a scientific level of precision. The peanut butter option is particularly impressive – a real purist’s treat. Made using Komatie peanut butter and a little sea salt, it’s sweet, creamy and über peanut-buttery. While the texture is perfectly smooth, it’s not a heavy ice cream, thanks to its air content. Order a scoop on a sugar cone or in a cup and choose from toppings like dirty sea-salt caramel, crumbled raw coconut macaroons from Moonbeam, or crumbled Amaretti biscuits. R32 for one scoop, R54 for two, and R65 for three.

A photo posted by Lindi Brownell Meiring (@lindibrownell) on Aug 3, 2016 at 2:51am PDT