Thursday, August 25, 2011

Peanut Butter and Banana Bread



From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...I wish all delicious things could be beautiful and appealing to the eye. Unfortunately, it doesn't always work that way. This quick bread is a perfect example of what I mean. It is wonderfully moist and flavorful, but it is homely in the extreme, and when these ingredients are used, there's not much that can be done to improve its appearance. The combination of bananas, peanut butter and chocolate is irresistibly tasty, but as you can see, they turn the batter a blotchy, muddy tan that is less than pleasing to the eyes. I normally wouldn't bother with something like this, but the bread has such outstanding flavor, that I keep granting it clemency, and bake it over and over again. The recipe was developed by Beth Lipton and I found it at the library in her book, You Made That Dessert?. I really like the earthiness of this bread and I recommend it to you, but with a caution or two. First, do not attempt to make this with natural peanut butter. It is too thin to work as a butter replacement in this recipe. Second, avoid using regular chocolate chips if you can. They will blotch more than the miniatures as the loaf bakes and you'll end up with a hot mess on your hands. Last, and, most important of all, the bread should sit for a day before it is eaten. The flavor improves remarkably when it's given the opportunity to ripen. This is a moist loaf and it keeps well if properly wrapped. I think you will like this. Here's the recipe.

Peanut Butter and Banana Bread with Chocolate Chips and Walnuts ...from the kitchen of One Perfect Bite courtesy of Beth Lipton

Ingredients:
1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter (do not use "natural")
2/3 cup sugar
3 large ripe bananas, mashed
2 large eggs, at room temperature, lightly beaten
1/2 cup chopped walnuts or chopped pecans (optional)
1/2 cup miniature chocolate chips (optional)

Directions:
1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Mist a 5 x 9-inch loaf pan with cooking spray.
2) Whisk flour, baking soda, and salt together in a small bowl until combined.
3) Place peanut butter and sugar in a large bowl. Beat with an electric mixer on medium-low speed until well-blended, about 2 minutes. Beat in mashed banana and eggs; mix well.
4) Using a wooden spoon or flexible spatula, stir flour mixture into the peanut butter–banana mixture, mixing until just combined, scraping down sides of the bowl as needed. Stir in chopped nuts and/or chocolate chips, if using. Scrape batter into the pan and smooth top.
5) Bake 45 minutes. Cover pan loosely with foil and bake 10 to 15 minutes longer, or until a toothpick inserted in center of loaf comes out clean. Cool bread on a wire rack for 10 minutes before removing from pan. It helps to run a paring knife around edges of pan to loosen bread before turning it out. Invert bread onto a wire rack. Carefully turn bread right-side up. When cool, slice and serve. Yield: One 9-inch loaf. Serves 8.







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64 comments :

Ginny Hartzler said...

This makes me think of Elvis, remember how he loved the peanut butter and banana sandwiches? I bet he would have loved this? No, I was never a fan, just thinkin'...

Deb said...

I love to bake loaf cakes so I will certainly try this one. Looks delish!

Anonymous said...

this is a winner!

Mary | Deep South Dish said...

Great combination & like Ginny I couldn't help but think of Elvis LOL!!

Sue said...

I can never have too much peanut butter! What a great addition to banana bread!

Pondside said...

I'm such a peanut butter lover - I'll have to try this.

Jeannie said...

But your cake looks so delicious! I love the chocolate-y color of this cake! yum!

Ren- Lady Of The Arts said...

this sounds really good- I think my monkeys would like it too- I would have to buy the 'un' natural peanut butter-

Chelsea said...

Oh my gosh. So many of my favorite things in one bread!

Anonymous said...

Interesting combination with peanut butter.Think,worth trying:)

Diane said...

This looks fantastic but remember the one thing I do not like is peanut butter!!! Take care Diane

Reshmi Mahesh said...

Delicious combo....looks super yum...

Priya Suresh said...

Wat an incredible combo, fabulous..

Ana Rita Marreiros said...

Beautifull bread Mary and a nice combination also.

Kisses,
Rita

Maris (in Good Taste) said...

Great combination! Remember you can't judge a book by its cover but this happens to look very beautiful!

Valerie Harrison (bellini) said...

I just made something with peanut butter for the 50 Women Game Cgangers so I have peanit butter and bananas to keep on baking.

Lynn said...

Elvis is in the building! Sounds like a great combo Mary, I'd have a hard time waiting a day to eat it though:@)

Unknown said...

I don't think you should worry at all about what color the ingredients turn the bread because this looks absolutely delicious to me!! Yum! I will definitely bookmark this as my mum cooks a lovely banana bread, and she LOVES chocolate & peanut butter together! Perfect. Lastly I just wanted to say thank you so much for your kind comment on my blog, it brightened my day :)

Marina said...

Can you believe me that I never tried banana bread.. I have to change that!

Martha said...

This would be a child's dream bread -- chocolate, peanut butter and bananas!!!

Kim said...

This is a perfect loaf for a child or for a grown up child:) This bread really looks yummy... And I don't care personnaly for its appearance as long as it's good. And It looks good. Because I'm going back to work this morning, I think I'm gonna bake one to myself this week end, for my snacks:)

Tanna said...

This has every element to go over well in this house! Tried the Scandanavian Shrimp Salad last night. Couldn't find the dill heads... but, it was mighty tasty with the regular dill fronds. I will keep my eye out for the heads! Thank you. Blessings ~tanna

The Blonde Duck said...

I love anything and everything with PB!

GLENDA CHILDERS said...

What a winning combination. I will have to use all my discipline to let it sit for a day.

Fondly,
Glenda

Elisabeth said...

Thanks for the helpful tip, Mary. This is exactly my formula (I say that, because I have it memorized)
Sometimes I use a little less sugar, and sometime up to 1 cup, depending what I mix in it.
The peanut butter is a fabulous addition with the chocolate chips.
I'm so thrilled you shared this!
Perfect, and beautiful banana bread:DDD

Linda said...

Ooo, this is the second lovely bread recipe I've seen this morning. Sounds divine and healthy!

Unknown said...

Actually, it looks pretty dang good to me... love those little chocolate splotches :) I'm thinking a little layer of butter would beautify it even more!!! YUM!

briarrose said...

I thought the slices looked incredibly appealing...I was having a little drool session over here. ;) All my favorite flavors in one loaf...yummy.

Anonymous said...

This yummy looking bread is next on my list of peanut butter to-dos.

Karen S Booth said...

Funny you should say that ~ I have just made a cherry and almond loaf and it is not a pretty sight, but it tastes divine!
I think your loaf looks GREAT!
Kaeren

sally said...

I've always put peanut butter on my banana bread, but never in it. I'll have to give it a try.

Rhonda said...

Your eyes may not think the bread is attractive...but I do! I have 3 ripe bananas in my fruit basket just crying out to be made into this bread! I am already imagining toasting it and spreading it with marshmallow fluff!

kitty@ Kitty's Kozy Kitchen said...

This sounds delicious to me, Mary!

Claudia said...

I'm rather fond of homely foods - and have never used peanut butter in breads. That said - the hardest thing would be to wait a day (really?). I am so fond of instant gratification...

Linda said...

LOL on "homely". :) I have a glut of "favorite" banana bread recipes and some that I have even declared the final winner, but I keep trying new ones. Yours actually doesn't look homely at all - it looks irresistible. I'm going to try it, complete with your tweaks.

Angie's Recipes said...

Next time when I bake banana bread, I am going to add some peanut butter in it. It looks absolutely gorgeous.

Beloved Green said...

Great notes, this recipe is another one that I think my mom would love me to try!

June said...

It looks delicious Mary and I can't wait to make it. The only problem I foresee is letting it sit to mellow out for a day or two before tasting. That will be darn near impossible.

Inspired by eRecipeCards said...

Don't think my comment went through... Love the look. Must have taken a few shots to get one you liked the way you "bad mouth" the look. Photos are stunning!

Anonymous said...

Sub out the chocolate and add bacon and it would be something for Elvis. I've been making banana bread forever and never thought to add peanut butter.
Karen

From the Kitchen said...

This looks beautiful to me! And very fall like. Re Ginny's comment, I think Elvis would have put two big pieces together around a banana and deep fried it!!

Best,
Bonnie

Amalia said...

These are all my favorite things combined in one, I love it! :)

We Are Not Martha said...

Oh, yum! This most certainly is "one perfect bite." OK, fine 3453 perfect bites!

Sues

Anna said...

I sure wish I had some of this right now!! Looks really good!!

Joanne said...

PB, chocolate, and banana are a classic combination for a reason! Delicious bread!

That Girl said...

I for one think that bread looks gorgeous!

Anonymous said...

I love peanut butter! And I love banana bread! And, oh, this combo sounds amazing!

Swathi said...

Peanut butter and banana bread sounds delicious. I am always in look out for banana breads.

Y said...

Sit for a day? But I'm Greek. That's impossible in a Greek family! :P I'm sure it's lovely, despite its unfortunate appearance.

BonBon Rose Girls Kristin said...

This needs to be a part of my next brunch!

PeggyR said...

This sounds very good.

Kim said...

pb and banana in bread - deliciousness. i loveeee this combo! thanks mary for the recipe!

Jamie @ the unseasoned wok said...

I know wat you mean about good foods not always looking nice. Some of my favorite dishes are so unappealing to the eye. Thanks for the tips on the choc chips and peanut butter - very helpful!

Gloria Baker said...

I love these loaf Mary, look awesome! gloria

Whats Cookin Italian Style Cuisine said...

very nice breads looks great!

Martha said...

mmm yum! it sounds so tasty!

Alessandra said...

Lovely banana bread, so much better that peanut butter and banana sandwiches (I would never eat a sandwich with bananas myself, sorry, just referring to the Elvis comment by Jenny!).

Mary, I tried to open your post about the spice corn but it doesn't come up, I don't know why.

Ciao and have a good Weekend

Alessandra

Renee Paj said...

Oh wow...does that look sinful..but in a way that I WANT to sin! lol Thanks for the link love, as always Mary! Have a great day!

Kelly said...

Two of my favourite ingredients brought together in a delicious recipe! (all that's missing is a square of dark chocolate - hee-hee!) Looks great.

Unknown said...

I love peanut butter and banana sandwiches so why not?

The Harried Cook said...

Yum! This sounds so yummy... Elvis would have loved this! And in my humble opinion, with this flavor combination, the chocolate shouldn't be optional :p Thanks for sharing!

Tiffanee said...

YUM! You always have the best recipes! This looks amazingly delicious!

penny aka jeroxie said...

oh wow! I am bookmarking this. Thanks!

Cindy said...

I think it looks delish! I agree about the mini chocolate chips.King Arthur Flour sells a wonderful mini, mini chip.Perfect for this kind of bread.

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