Banana bread is already a classic comfort food, but what if we take it up a notch? Enter Reese’s Peanut Butter Banana Bread, the perfect blend of creamy peanut butter, sweet bananas, and, of course, chunks of rich Reese’s peanut butter cups. This twist on the traditional banana bread is a treat for anyone with a sweet tooth (and a love for peanut butter!). It’s moist, flavorful, and packed with little bites of chocolatey peanut butter goodness in every slice.
Trust me when I say this bread will disappear fast—especially if you’re serving it warm out of the oven with that gooey, melty peanut butter flavor. Ready to make your kitchen smell like heaven? Let’s get started!
Why You’ll Love Reese’s Peanut Butter Banana Bread
Peanut Butter Lovers’ Dream
If you’re a peanut butter fan (who isn’t?), this banana bread is a dream come true. The peanut butter is baked right into the batter, giving every bite that nutty richness. And with chunks of Reese’s peanut butter cups? Let’s just say it’s a peanut butter lover’s paradise.
Perfect Balance of Sweet and Savory
The bananas keep the bread moist and sweet, while the peanut butter and Reese’s cups add a savory and indulgent touch. It’s the perfect balance that’ll have you reaching for more.
Easy to Make
This bread is as simple as it gets. Just mix, pour, and bake. No complicated steps or fancy ingredients here—just straightforward baking that guarantees big flavor.
Great for Any Occasion
Whether you’re making it for breakfast, a sweet snack, or a dessert, this bread is versatile enough to fit any occasion. It’s also a great gift idea for the peanut butter and chocolate lovers in your life.
Ingredients
Let’s take a look at what you need to make this peanut butter-packed banana bread:
For the Bread:
- Bananas: Ripe, mashed bananas are the key to moist, flavorful bread.
- Flour: All-purpose flour forms the base of the bread.
- Sugar: A little sugar adds sweetness, but the ripe bananas will give it plenty of natural sugar too.
- Baking Powder & Baking Soda: These work together to give the bread the perfect rise.
- Salt: Just a pinch to balance out the flavors.
- Eggs: Help bind everything together and add moisture.
- Butter: Melted butter adds richness and a lovely texture.
- Peanut Butter: The star ingredient that gives this bread its peanut butter goodness.
- Vanilla Extract: A splash of vanilla enhances the flavors and gives depth.
For the Reese’s Layer:
- Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups: Chopped into bite-sized pieces for pockets of chocolatey peanut butter goodness in every slice.
(Note: The full ingredient list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.)
Instructions
Let’s get baking! Follow these simple steps for a perfect loaf of Reese’s Peanut Butter Banana Bread.
Preheat and Prep:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan with butter or cooking spray. This ensures your banana bread comes out nice and easily.
Mix the Wet Ingredients:
- In a large mixing bowl, mash the bananas with a fork or potato masher until smooth (a few lumps are okay). Add the eggs, melted butter, peanut butter, and vanilla extract. Stir everything together until well combined.
Mix the Dry Ingredients:
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, sugar, and salt. Make sure everything is evenly distributed before adding it to the wet ingredients.
Combine the Wet and Dry:
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; you want a light, tender bread.
Add the Reese’s:
- Gently fold in the chopped Reese’s peanut butter cups. The pieces will melt slightly as they bake, creating pockets of gooey chocolate-peanut butter goodness throughout the loaf.
Bake:
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and spread it out evenly. Bake for 55-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean (a few moist crumbs are okay). If the top starts to brown too quickly, you can loosely cover the loaf with foil for the last 10-15 minutes.
Cool and Serve:
- Let the banana bread cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. Slice it up and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 12
Calories per serving: 320-350 calories (depending on peanut butter and Reese’s usage)
Preparation Time
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 55-60 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
How to Serve Reese’s Peanut Butter Banana Bread
Reese’s Peanut Butter Banana Bread is great on its own, but here are a few ideas to take it over the top:
- With a Dollop of Whipped Cream: Serve slices with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an indulgent treat.
- Drizzle of Peanut Butter: For an extra peanut butter kick, drizzle some melted peanut butter over the top before serving.
- As a Snack or Breakfast: It’s sweet enough to enjoy as a dessert, but it’s also hearty enough to enjoy as a snack or breakfast on the go.
Additional Tips
- Use Overripe Bananas: The riper the bananas, the sweeter and more flavorful the bread will be. It’s a great way to use up bananas that are too ripe to eat!
- Add More Reese’s: Feel free to throw in more chopped Reese’s cups if you want extra chocolatey goodness in every bite.
- Storage: Store the bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days, or in the fridge for longer freshness.
- Freezing: You can freeze the banana bread for up to 3 months. Just wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and foil, then thaw it overnight before serving.
FAQ Section
Q1: Can I use creamy peanut butter instead of chunky?
A1: Yes, creamy peanut butter works just as well! It’ll give you a smoother texture, but still plenty of peanut butter flavor.
Q2: Can I use a different type of chocolate instead of Reese’s cups?
A2: Of course! You can substitute with any chocolate or peanut butter chips, or even chopped chocolate bars if you prefer.
Q3: Can I make this banana bread gluten-free?
A3: Yes, you can use a gluten-free flour blend in place of the all-purpose flour. Just make sure it’s a 1-to-1 replacement.
Q4: Can I add other mix-ins like nuts or chocolate chips?
A4: Absolutely! Feel free to add chopped walnuts, chocolate chips, or any other add-ins you like for extra flavor and texture.
Q5: How do I know when the banana bread is done baking?
A5: Insert a toothpick into the center of the bread. If it comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs, it’s done. If the toothpick comes out with raw batter, bake for a few more minutes.
Q6: Can I make this banana bread without peanut butter?
A6: Yes, if you’re not a peanut butter fan, you can simply leave it out or substitute with almond butter or another nut butter for a different flavor.
Q7: How should I store this banana bread?
A7: Store the banana bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days, or refrigerate it to keep it fresh for longer.
Q8: Can I freeze the Reese’s Peanut Butter Banana Bread?
A8: Yes, this bread freezes beautifully! Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and foil and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw before slicing.
Q9: Can I use frozen bananas for this recipe?
A9: Yes! Just thaw the frozen bananas before mashing them. They may be a bit more watery, so make sure to drain any excess liquid.
Q10: Can I make mini loaves of this banana bread?
A10: Yes, you can use mini loaf pans. Just reduce the baking time to around 30-40 minutes, and check with a toothpick to ensure it’s done.
Conclusion
This Reese’s Peanut Butter Banana Bread is a game-changer! It combines the comforting flavors of banana bread with the irresistible duo of peanut butter and chocolate. Whether you’re making it for a special occasion or just because, this treat is guaranteed to satisfy your sweet tooth. So grab some ripe bananas, peanut butter, and Reese’s, and get baking—you won’t regret it!
PrintReese’s Peanut Butter Banana Bread
- Total Time: 0 hours
- Yield: 1 loaf (about 12 slices) 1x
Description
This Reese’s Peanut Butter Banana Bread is a decadent twist on the classic banana bread. Packed with ripe bananas, peanut butter, and chunks of Reese’s peanut butter cups, it’s a sweet and savory treat that’s perfect for breakfast, dessert, or a snack!
Ingredients
- 2–3 ripe bananas, mashed
- 1/2 cup peanut butter (smooth or chunky)
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
- 1/2 cup milk chocolate chips (optional)
- 4–5 mini Reese’s peanut butter cups, chopped
- 1/4 cup chopped peanuts (optional, for extra crunch)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, cream together the butter, peanut butter, and sugar until smooth and fluffy.
- Add the mashed bananas, eggs, and vanilla extract to the bowl. Mix until everything is well incorporated.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the sour cream (or yogurt), and mix until just combined.
- Gently fold in the chocolate chips and chopped Reese’s peanut butter cups. If using, fold in the chopped peanuts as well.
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and spread it out evenly.
- Bake for 55-65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean or with just a few crumbs.
- Let the bread cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Slice and enjoy! Serve with a dollop of peanut butter or a drizzle of melted chocolate if desired.
Notes
- For a richer peanut butter flavor, you can swirl additional peanut butter into the batter before baking.
- This banana bread can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days, or refrigerated for up to a week.
- If you prefer a lighter loaf, you can substitute half of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour.
- Add a few extra Reese’s peanut butter cups to the top of the batter before baking for a more decadent finish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55-65 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/12th of loaf
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 31g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 35mg