Much ado about Fluffernutters

[GingerPow]

Fluffernutter Sandwich Angers Mass. Senator

By STEVE LeBLANC
Associated Press Writer

BOSTON (AP) -- It's creamy, it's sweet and it's become a staple of lunch boxes for generations of New England school children.

Now, the beloved Fluffernutter sandwich - the irresistible combination of Marshmallow Fluff and peanut butter, preferably on white bread with a glass of milk handy - finds itself at the center of a sticky political debate.

Sen. Jarrett Barrios was outraged that his son Nathaniel, a third-grader, was given a Fluffernutter sandwich at the King Open School in Cambridge. He said he plans to file legislation that would ban schools from offering the local delicacy more than once a week as the main meal of the day.

The Democrat said that his amendment to a bill on junk food in schools may seem "a little silly" - but that school nutrition is serious.

His proposal seemed anything but silly to Rep. Kathi-Anne Reinstein, a Democrat whose district in Revere is near the company that has produced the marshmallow concoction for more than 80 years, Durkee-Mower Inc.

She responded with a proposal to designate the Fluffernutter the "official sandwich of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts."

"I'm going to fight to the death for Fluff," Reinstein said

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/F/FLUFF_FIGHT?SITE=MOSPL&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

I still love 'fluff' and peanut butter. I don't need the bread, just a spoon of fluff, and spoon of p.b., swirl them in a bowl and consume. I never knew that this was served to school children in Massachusetts. Lucky kids... :D

[HARRYET]

I no longer live on the east coast, but remember as a child, when you forgot your lunch, didn't like what was being served, or had no $$ that day you had the option of pb & j or pb & fluff.

We moved to AZ when the kids were 1 & 3, they know what a fluffernutter is and have introduced it to most of their friends. We cannot get Fluff here only marshmallow creme, which is not even close to fluff. So every year when we return for a visit only about 6 containers of fluff returns with us.

I can't imagine what the baggage handler are thinking when they x-ray my luggage. :D

Ann

[Peweh]

Hmm maybe I will start a business Exporting Fluff! I can't believe it's not available everywhere.

and I must say it's a key ingredient in Never Fail Fudge which recipe is on most containers. even better than a PB&F.

[LA98]

Wait a minute, Fluff is just an east coast thing? I knew it was made in Mass. but I thought it was national. And while I think legislation is completely ridiculous, I have to admit that if they're cracking down on selling soda in school, it does follow logic to then not offer PB & (what is essentially candy :rolleyes: ) sandwiches... That said, DH and I love the things and definitely plan on introducing them to DS one of these days. :D

[Lauren]

My kids, 13 and 15, take a PB & fluff sandwich to school daily. Yes, I realize fluff is, well ... fluff, the PB is protein. :rolleyes: When they buy lunch, it's spicy fries and chicken nuggets, which isn't any bargain nutritionally.

I know they are eating their lunch. And at this age they won't take an insulated lunch bag to school, so I didn't feel comfortable sending them with a roast beef and cheese sandwich to sit in their locker for a few hours in a paper sack. :eek:

They don't eat the fluff on weekends and eat very well at dinner and snacks. :p

[Grace]

IMO, fluff isn't that much worse than jelly. Maybe there's a little fruit in jelly, but not much especially if you're talking about grape jelly. It's mostly sugar, just like fluff. How ridiculous. Control freaks. :mad:

[Meganator]

...
We moved to AZ when the kids were 1 & 3, they know what a fluffernutter is and have introduced it to most of their friends. We cannot get Fluff here only marshmallow creme, which is not even close to fluff. So every year when we return for a visit only about 6 containers of fluff returns with us.

Ann

I've never had a Fluffernutter sandwich, but I didn't realize that there was something other than Kraft Marshmallow Creme. What is the difference?

[SusanMac]

Well, as someone who has spent her whole life in Tx, CA, CO & WI, I have never had a fluffernutter sandwhich. And, the thought of it makes me want to hurl :-) Then again, I don't even like J with my PB sandwhich. I prefer my PB plain. DH thinks I'm weird.

[stacy7272]

:D
Wait a minute, Fluff is just an east coast thing?
Oh yes. I was born in CT (moved to CA when I was 5) and my mom lived most of her life in CT so I luckily was able to experience this wonderful thing. Also, my best friend was from MA so our families knew all about this stuff. Also frappes, egg creams, and jimmies. :D No one here knows what the heck this stuff is.

[Kristilyn1]

I admit, I too was surprised to hear that Fluff is an east coast thing. I've never seen/heard of marshmallow creme?! Our school offered it for lunch during the last week of school. Call me crazy, but I agree with the Senator--though I don't agree that state law should dictate it. I think it's crazy that a school offer this as the MAIN choice more than once a week. That said, I'm still partial to the occasional Fluffernutter. My youngest had one today.

Kristi

[Meganator]

IMO, fluff isn't that much worse than jelly. Maybe there's a little fruit in jelly, but not much especially if you're talking about grape jelly. It's mostly sugar, just like fluff. How ridiculous. Control freaks. :mad:

I agree. Just perception, I guess. Maybe the Senator needs a nutrition lesson.

[HRJ]

Until I saw this story in the Globe the other day, I hadn't thought about Fluffernutters in 25 years! I had a boyfriend in college who didn't like the dining hall food and subsisted mostly on Fluffernutters he made in his dorm room. I, personally, never cared much for them.

My first reaction to the story is that Fluff is basically candy, and shouldn't be offered as part of school lunch programs -- if someone wants to bring their own from home, fine. But, the comparison with jelly is an interesting one -- I guess I'd like to see a nutritional comparison.

My second reaction is that I can't believe there are schools in the Boston area that still serve peanut butter! At least in my town, anything involving nuts has become a huge deal, because of the allergy issues.

In general, I don't think this proposal is any more or less ridiculous than most of the stuff that happens in the Statehouse.

Helene

[Beth H]

Wait a minute, Fluff is just an east coast thing? I knew it was made in Mass. but I thought it was national.

I had never heard of it or seen it until I saw this story on CNN.

[Grace]

I don't have the actual nutrition information, but here are the ingredients in Marshmallow Fluff:

Corn syrup, sugar syrup, vanilla flavor, and egg white. There are no artificial preservatives, stabilizers, emulsifiers, or colorings in Marshmallow Fluff.


And grape jelly (from the Smucker's website, off the Concord Grape jelly jar)

Ingredients
CONCORD GRAPE JUICE, HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP, CORN SYRUP, FRUIT PECTIN, CITRIC ACID, SODIUM CITRATE.


No real difference, IMO. In fact, the jelly has HFCS and the fluff doesn't. The egg whites in the fluff are good protein. The teaspoon or two of actual grape juice in the jelly doesn't amount to much in terms of nutrition (again, IMO), so to me, they're both candy.

[Kristilyn1]

My second reaction is that I can't believe there are schools in the Boston area that still serve peanut butter! At least in my town, anything involving nuts has become a huge deal, because of the allergy issues.


Helene

Don't even get me started on this one! The idea that a whole school has to ban peanut butter because a tiny percentage is allergic is ridiculous to me. I mean, what about the rest of the planet? These kids can't walk around in a bubble for the rest of their lives. Our school has what I believe a sane approach. If a child in a certain classroom has a nut allergy, then a note goes home asking parents to consider not sending in nut based treats for snack. If a peanut butter snack comes in, the child with it consumes the snack in an area removed from the child and then the area is cleaned up. In the lunchroom there is a table designated "no peanuts".

Besides the whole idea of punishing a whole school for a small percentage of students accomodation---my other problem is that it creates a false sense of security. A child could have peanut butter at home for breakfast and have residue on his hands, his clothing, etc. My only exception might be preschools--where children often grab each other's snacks, etc. Then I think it's a good idea to ban peanut snacks until they are old enough to have some clue about what their allergy is.

Kristi

[slknight]

IMO, fluff isn't that much worse than jelly. Maybe there's a little fruit in jelly, but not much especially if you're talking about grape jelly. It's mostly sugar, just like fluff. How ridiculous. Control freaks. :mad:

Ok, I happen to have both Fluff and Smuckers Grape jelly on hand here. <ducking from the food police> Fluff is perfect for hot chocolate and the grape jelly was from CL's meatballs.

Here's the nutritional info:

Serving of Smuckers (1 Tbl)

Calories 50
Fat 0
Carb 13
Sugar 12
Protein 0
Sodium 5
---------------
Serving of Fluff (2 Tbl)

Calories 60
Fat 0
Carb 15
Sugar 10
Protein 0
Sodium 10

So they are essentially identical, with Fluff actually having less sugar.

[Arete]

I'm with Meganator on this one... I always assumed that Fluff as just another name for marshmallow creme! Blame it on my deprived upbringing in California.

So, you east coast people, please enlighten those of us that have never had the magical FLUFF. What is it like, how is it different from Kraft Marshmallow Creme? Inquiring minds want to know! :D And I think I really want to try a Fluffernutter...

[Gracie]

I've never had a Fluffernutter sandwich, but I didn't realize that there was something other than Kraft Marshmallow Creme. What is the difference?

since I've lived here on the east coast most of my life, I've never had marshmallow creme, only Fluff.

I am also curious as to the answer to Meg's question.

Loren

[slknight]

Arete, everything and anything you ever wanted to know about Fluff. :D

http://www.marshmallowfluff.com/

I did not grow up with the stuff (although I love it now), nor do I have much experience with marshmallow cream, so I'm not sure about the difference. In their FAQ, it does say the difference is evident, but I still don't know the answer. :rolleyes: I think that Fluff is, well, fluffier. :p

[GingerPow]

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f60/MurphChessLinus/Fluffernutter.jpg
Awww man, does that look good.
Thanks slknight, for posting that link!

[Gracie]

I think that Fluff is, well, fluffier. :p

Susan, I think that's it, really. When you spoon it onto hot chocolate, it stays there in a wonderful mountain of fluff. I think marshmallow creme must be just creme without the air! The air's the best part!

Loren

[HRJ]

Thanks for the nutritional data, Susan! Based on my memories of Fluff -- as I said, it's been a long time! -- I would have guessed that it had far more calories/sugar than jelly. I stand corrected.

Based on that, I'd have to say that if you're going to allow jelly, you've also got to allow Fluff.

(As for the difference between Fluff and Marshmallow Creme, being a lifelong East-Coaster, I'm not sure -- never had the Kraft stuff.)

Helene

[GingerPow]

Don't even get me started on this one! The idea that a whole school has to ban peanut butter because a tiny percentage is allergic is ridiculous to me. I mean, what about the rest of the planet? These kids can't walk around in a bubble for the rest of their lives. Our school has what I believe a sane approach. If a child in a certain classroom has a nut allergy, then a note goes home asking parents to consider not sending in nut based treats for snack. If a peanut butter snack comes in, the child with it consumes the snack in an area removed from the child and then the area is cleaned up. In the lunchroom there is a table designated "no peanuts".

Kristi
That is the policy in DD's high school - one table is designated "no peanuts" because two students have severe peanut allergies. They are friends of DD, so I read the labels of food I pack in her lunch bag so she can sit with her friends.
The funny thing is, these two peanut allergic kids are dating.

[Arete]

slknight, thanks for the link. Very interesting. So I'm assuming that the basic difference is in the texture, that Fluff is lighter/creamier than marshmallow creme? I looked at the "Fluff finder" and it isn't sold in Colorado, and I'm not certain I want to order a case of Fluff just yet... :D But ask me next week when it's TOM and I may have placed an order!

[scout1222]

I have never had a fluffernutter sandwich, but I do know what one is. I've grown up in Southern CA and always remember marshmallow fluff/creme existing, but never really eating it.

And considering the sweet stuff is my addiction, this seems like a crying shame! :p

However, do I really need yet another thing to have willpower against? I think not! So I adore this in concept, but hope to die before ever trying one.

[Gilgamesh37]

I've had both. As a transplanted Northeastern, I proudly have a container of Fluff in my otherwise-wholesome midwestern pantry. The difference *is* evident--largely it's texture, the Fluff is, well, fluffier--I find Marshmallow creme really dense in an unpleasant way--and Fluff doesn't have that weird chemical taste that creme does (or maybe it's just a different taste). There's really no comparison imo. And now I want a Fluffernutter, too.

Gil,
who's best friend had a Fluffernutter sandwich for lunch every single day from 2 through 6th grade.

ETA: Those of you who want to dip a toe in the Wonderful World of Fluff needn't order a whole case. King Arthur flour carries both the 16 oz plastic tub and the smaller glass jars---for just a couple of bucks.
Marshmallow Fluff!!! (http://shop.bakerscatalogue.com/detail.jsp;jsessionid=083084111151011427269?id=135 9&pv=1151011427503)

[Arete]

Gil, thanks for the info. I wonder if I would even like Fluff, since it's fluffier... I don't really like most fluffy things (whipped cream and chocolate mousse come to mind) so I think I might actually prefer the heavier marshmallow creme.

BTW Gil, I noticed that your tagline now says "10 gal lifetime donor" Way to go!

[memartha]

Slknight beat me to it, but I have compared the labels on Fluff and grape jelly, and they are more or less equal. To try to ban Fluff but not grape jelly is just plain wrong. :confused: Can someone get this nutritional data to the Senator who started this whole thing??

[HRJ]

OK, this is too weird -- when I was driving home before, I was stopped at a light in front of a Brigham's Ice Cream shop. They had a poster in the window for their new flavor -- Fluffernutter Ice Cream! It's peanut butter ice cream, with peanut-butter-cup chunks and swirls of Fluff!

I did not stop to buy any, though. (Thought about it, but didn't. ;) ).


H.

[slknight]

OK, this is too weird -- when I was driving home before, I was stopped at a light in front of a Brigham's Ice Cream shop. They had a poster in the window for their new flavor -- Fluffernutter Ice Cream! It's peanut butter ice cream, with peanut-butter-cup chunks and swirls of Fluff!



Oh, that sounds like amazing ice cream. I've been thinking of different flavors lately because Ben & Jerry's is having a flavor contest. This thread was making me curious about how Fluff would be in ice cream and it seems like there's already a flavor! Weird.

BTW, if anyone wants to try some Fluff, I would be happy to mail some if you're interested.

[GingerPow]

OK, this is too weird -- when I was driving home before, I was stopped at a light in front of a Brigham's Ice Cream shop. They had a poster in the window for their new flavor -- Fluffernutter Ice Cream! It's peanut butter ice cream, with peanut-butter-cup chunks and swirls of Fluff!

Would that be called fluffchronicity? ;)

[LA98]

I think that Fluff is, well, fluffier. :p

ROFL! I sooo wanted to be the one to say it. :D

Gilgamesh, I agree completely: I bought Marshmallow Creme one time by mistake, and it's a totally different consistency.

Helene, I wish I could try that ice cream!! And after all this discussion of Fluffernutters, I can pretty much guarantee that there'll be one in my future this weekend. (I do make 'em on whole wheat: Does that make it healthier? :D :rolleyes: :D )

[peachykeen]

I'm another one of those who have never had Kraft marshmallow creme. Fluff was the product my mother always bought. I never questioned it. Being the oldest of five, lots of times I'd get dropped off at the grocery store with "the list" and there were always specific name brands of products we bought.

I never really liked peanut butter and jelly - I do like fluffernutters, but I love marshmallow fluff and jelly!

Brigham's is having a contest for someone to write a jingle for the new ice cream.

By the way, an article in the Boston Globe today mentioned the "jelly" issue.

There is a website for hard to find products and I believe they carry Fluff. (don't know what the cost is and/or what shipping would be): www.hometownfavorites.com (http://)

(Not sure if I created the link correctly (never done that before) - but the name is correct...

[slknight]

OK, this is too weird -- when I was driving home before, I was stopped at a light in front of a Brigham's Ice Cream shop. They had a poster in the window for their new flavor -- Fluffernutter Ice Cream! It's peanut butter ice cream, with peanut-butter-cup chunks and swirls of Fluff!



I just had to bump this thread up because I finally found Brigham's Fluffernutter ice cream and it was well worth the wait (or would that be weight? ;) ). Anyway, it is outstanding. Shaws has Brigham's on sale 2 for $6.00 this week if anyone is interested. :D

[Sheila in MD]

I admit, I too was surprised to hear that Fluff is an east coast thing. Kristi

I grew up with Fluff in the Chicago area so although it may not be available nationwide, it is not just an East Coast thing! That said-was never offered as an option in a school sponsored lunch!

Sheila in MD

[LA98]

I just had to bump this thread up because I finally found Brigham's Fluffernutter ice cream and it was well worth the wait (or would that be weight? ;) ). Anyway, it is outstanding. Shaws has Brigham's on sale 2 for $6.00 this week if anyone is interested. :D

Thanks for the bump and the info! I'm heading up to Massachusetts in a few weeks, and I'm going to ask my friend to buy this and keep it in her freezer for me till I get there! :)

[emilywish]

Well, as someone who has spent her whole life in Tx, CA, CO & WI, I have never had a fluffernutter sandwhich. And, the thought of it makes me want to hurl :-) Then again, I don't even like J with my PB sandwhich. I prefer my PB plain. DH thinks I'm weird.


i agree, i don't like mixing my peanutbutter with anything sweet, whether it's jelly or fluff.

that said, i have two big containers of fluff in my suitcase right now, so that a friend and i can make fudge in germany this december. :)

but wait - i can't get evaporated milk there, either. :eek:
can you make fudge without evaporated milk?? :confused:

[Grace]

Emily, as far as I know they do have evaporated milk in Germany it's called Buechsenmilch.

canned milk -- die Büchsenmilch

I think it's the same thing - my MIL said it was, but I suppose she could be wrong.

I just checked - it's the same. Evaporated milk is Kondensmilch or Buechsenmilch or Dosenmilch.

If you need sweetened condensed milk, you need to find "Milchmaedchen" or "gezückerte Kondensmilch", not just plain Kondensmilch (which is just regular evaporated milk).

[emilywish]

Emily, as far as I know they do have evaporated milk in Germany it's called Buechsenmilch.

canned milk -- die Büchsenmilch

I think it's the same thing - my MIL said it was, but I suppose she could be wrong.

I just checked - it's the same. Evaporated milk is Kondensmilch or Buechsenmilch or Dosenmilch.

If you need sweetened condensed milk, you need to find "Milchmaedchen" or "gezückerte Kondensmilch", not just plain Kondensmilch (which is just regular evaporated milk).


thanks so much, grace! i always assumed that kondensmilch was condensed milk and that evaporated milk wasn't available. this makes things a lot easier.
i guess i'll be making fudge after all. :D

[cminmd]

Just to defend the senator- I don't think the cafeteria should be serving anything more than once a week. My childrens school has about a three week rotation before they start repeating (except for Pizza or Fish FRY-day- get it? Ha ha! Elementary school humor ) School lunches should be teaching kids about balanced diets and that includes variety.
Growing up in Vermont we had the occasional fluffernutter. Very tasty. But you use WAY more fluff than you use of jelly.

[saserre]

Was a Fluffernutter the only option the child was given, or did he have a choice of foods? I think most schools today offer options, especially for something like this, what if kids are allergic to peanuts? It seems unlikely to me that there is no child nutrition policy in place here, and that the only choice for children was a Fluffernutter. I agree that child nutrition should be considered and implemented, but I wonder if we're getting the whole story form Sen Barrios. If he's really that worried about the food the school serves his child, maybe he could pack a healthy lunch for the child.

I went to school back in Mass, and they never served me Fluffernutters. I think I'm going to file legislation against my school for NOT doing so. I'm all for making it the official sandwich of Mass.

When I moved down here to NC, I couldn't find Fluff in the store and literally had my Mom mail me some. I've subsequently found it in the baking aisle, thankfully!

Fluff also makes a good topping for hot chocolate. Scoop a spoonful or two in, and have it melt in your mouth with the chocolate.

Sharon

[skupe123]

OK, this is too weird -- when I was driving home before, I was stopped at a light in front of a Brigham's Ice Cream shop. They had a poster in the window for their new flavor -- Fluffernutter Ice Cream! It's peanut butter ice cream, with peanut-butter-cup chunks and swirls of Fluff!

I did not stop to buy any, though. (Thought about it, but didn't. ;) ).


H.

We were just visiting Lenox, MA over Labor Day and I had this same flavor of Saco brand ice cream. OMG was it amazing. I'm sure Brigham's would be just as sensational.

Suz

[deester]

A few weeks ago 4 of our 5 grandchildren (ages 10, 7 & twin 5 year olds) came up for a visit and their Grandpa made them Fluffernutters. The kids loved them and are now having them on a regular basis. It made Grandpa feel good to pass down one of his childhood favorites to them!!!

[mst]

I love fluffernutter ice cream. Yum!

In my first CLBB swap, I sent Fluff to my partner in CA. But, I forgot to tell her what it was, and how to use it! I forget that everyone did not grow up with Fluff.

BTW, I am loving the idea of putting it in hot chocolate!

[Sami]

My son ate peanut butter and marshmellow fluff everyday while he was in elementary school. I have large empty glass jars of peanut butter as a result.

Sami

[AZJane]

I ordered my Fluff last week from the Bakers Catalogue (using up the soon to be defunct points program) and it should arrive sometime this week. Is there a peanutbutter that is specific to this sandwich? doughy white bread I presume? any suggestions are appreciated. I can't wait to give it a try.

[Beth]

IMO, fluff isn't that much worse than jelly. Maybe there's a little fruit in jelly, but not much especially if you're talking about grape jelly. It's mostly sugar, just like fluff.

That pretty much sums it up for me too. Maybe they need to make grape fluff. :p

I have to admit never having heard ot or tried the fluffernutter, but I'd rather my kid had one than a potato chip sandwich or a lot of other things I've seen kids put together in the school cafeteria.

Emily, can you get dried milk? You can make your own evaporated milk by adding powdered milk to regular milk. To make a cup, you'd use a cup of milk and enough powdered milk to make a cup -- doubling the solids to water volume.

[donleyk]

I laughed out loud last night when one of the Jeopardy! questions was a flutternutter sandwich is peanut butter and what ingredient? (It’s Back To School Week.) The little guy got it right. And, as an aside, I was amazed at the kids up there. They are so young and completely poised (and good!). They were a blast to watch.

[CHRIST1NE]

Thanks so much for starting this thread -- I hadn't had fluff since I was a kid. Last week I bought a jar and have been having 1/2 a fluffernutter sandwich every morning for breakfast. With the whole grains in the bread & the protein in the natural PB, it holds me well into the morning.

[madpots]

Being from the South and West I had never heard of Fluffernutter until I saw this thread. Then last night on Jeopardy there was a question about Fluffernutter...I wasnt listening too closely, but when he said Fluffernutter I paid attention...the answer was Marshmallow! You never know what you will learn on this Board!

[peachykeen]

I thought of this thread when I read an article in The Boston Globe last week. Seems there was a "Fluff" festival in Somerville, Massachusetts on Saturday to celebrate the fact that Archibald Query, who invented it, started out in that City. Apparently, he sold it door-to-door. They had fluffernutters, and Rice Krispie Treats (made with Fluff!) and even a little boy dressed up like "Fluff man" or something. Sounded like they were going to have a fun day!

[saserre]

AZJane - You can make a fluffernutter with any kind of peanut butter and bread. I think the classic one is white bread and smooth peanut butter. But I make them with whatever is in my house.

Peachykeen - Now I totally want to go to the Fluff Festival! I'll have to see when it's going on next year and plan a trip up for it and to visit the folks! I love that idea.

Sharon

[rigel]

The Fluff Fest in Union Square, Somerville last weekend was amusing and low key. I went because it was run by the Somerville Arts Council and they usually do a great job with coming up with really creative fun performance art and it was a lovely Saturday and I wanted to go for a walk. They had science experiments (some one tried to see if Fluff could conduct electricity-no), a baking contest, T-shirts with a jar of fluff with the slogan "What the Fluff" on the jar, a stall selling fluff-related food items (rice krispie treats, fluff ice cream (it was from Toscanini's and chocolatey rather than the fluffernutter icecream with peanuts that other people mentioned-okay but nothing really that special), and fluffernutters of course). Some guy was also serving fluff on pickles with tunafish (or something that looked like tuna). He insisted that it was a great combination of sweet, salty, sour, and savory and people were lined up to get their sample of the concoction. I didn't try it because while I'm an adventurous eater-I'm not that adventurous. It was fun and quite a few people came!