This Peanut Butter Bread is rich, nutty, and just the right amount of sweet, kind of like banana bread's simpler, more protein-packed cousin. It's cozy, satisfying, and the perfect quick loaf to whip up when you want an easy homemade treat.
Recipe review
A quick look at this recipe
- Recipe Name: Peanut Butter Bread
- Ready In: 10 minutes prep, 1 hour 5 minutes baking time
- Serves: 12
- Calories: 408 per slice
- Main Ingredients: Peanut butter, flour, sugar, eggs, heavy cream
- Difficulty: Easy
The first time I made this peanut butter bread recipe, it was oh so looong ago. My daughter is a peanut butter-loving gal, and this quick bread quickly became her favorite snack. Even after all these years, it's still the one she requests when she visits.
As a former personal chef, I've baked my fair share of breads and desserts, but this one holds a special place in my kitchen. It's the perfect balance of cozy and indulgent. It's moist and dense from the peanut butter, just sweet enough, and topped with crunchy roasted peanuts and melty chocolate chips.
I absolutely love having a homemade baked good for when guests are staying at our house. Along with my Mini Pumpkin Streusel Breads, this peanut butter bread is an all time favorite bread recipes!
Jump to:
- Recipe review
- A quick look at this recipe
- What is depression era peanut butter bread?
- What's to love about this recipe
- Ingredients
- Substitutions
- Variations & topping ideas
- How to make peanut butter quick bread
- How to make peanut butter bread ahead of time
- How to serve peanut butter bread
- Amy's expert tips
- Storage
- Peanut butter bread FAQs
- More recipes like this one
- One more thing
- Recipe
- Recipe
What is depression era peanut butter bread?
This peanut butter quick bread has humble roots in the 1930s Depression era. Home bakers had to make do with pantry staples. No yeast, eggs, or butter is needed. The result is a dense yet tender peanut butter loaf. It's a nostalgic flavor that's stood the test of time.
Today, it's seeing a major comeback thanks to its simplicity. Just stir, bake, slice, and enjoy.
What's to love about this recipe
- No yeast: This is a true no yeast peanut butter bread, it rises beautifully with just baking powder.
- Easy one bowl recipe: Stir everything together in just one bowl and bake. That's it.
- Protein-rich & filling: Thanks to the peanut butter, each slice is naturally higher in protein and healthy fats.
- Customizable: Add chocolate chips for a chocolate chip peanut butter bread, swirl in jam for PB&J style bread.
- Perfect texture: Moist but not heavy, slightly sweet, with a golden crust and nutty aroma that fills your kitchen.
Ingredients
Some simple ingredients are all that are needed to make my peanut butter bread recipe. Don't skip topping the batter with the peanuts and chocolate chips as they put this bread over the top in deliciousness. Scroll to the printable recipe card for full quantities of the ingredients.
- Granulated sugar
- Creamy peanut butter
- Vanilla extract
- Large eggs
- Heavy cream
- All purpose flour
- Baking powder and kosher salt
- Dry roasted and salted peanuts
- Semi sweet chocolate chips
Substitutions
- Peanut butter: Use creamy, full fat peanut butter for this recipe. The bread does not contain any additional fat such as butter or oil. The full fat peanut butter ensures the bread is moist and delicious. Crunchy peanut butter also works in the recipe. For allergies, use almond butter, cashew butter, or sunflower seed butter. Each will slightly change flavor and texture.
- Heavy cream: Whole milk, light cream or half and half can be used, but the bread won't be as rich. I recommend sticking with the heavy cream.
- Peanuts: Honey roasted peanuts are a tasty alternative.
- Chocolate chips: Try milk chocolate, cinnamon, espresso or butterscotch baking chips too.
Variations & topping ideas
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Bread: Fold in ½ cup of chocolate chips for added chocolate flavor.
- Peanut Butter Jelly Loaf: Swirl 2 to 3 tablespoons of your favorite jam before baking.
- Peanut Butter Banana Bread: Replace ½ cup of milk with a mashed banana for sweetness and moisture.
- Dried Fruit or Nuts: You can add in up to 4 tablespoons of raisins, dried cranberries, or even crushed banana chips. This easy peanut butter bread would be great with walnuts or pecans, too.
- Toppings: Try melted chocolate drizzle, crushed peanuts, or a powdered sugar glaze on top of your peanut butter loaf.
How to make peanut butter quick bread
If you are a novice or seasoned baker, this quick and easy peanut butter bread recipe is for you. With common pantry and refrigerator ingredients, it will take only a few minutes to mix up the batter. Scroll to the recipe card for full instructions.
Step 1: Preheat the oven. Grease a loaf pan and line the bottom with parchment paper.
Step 2: Combine and mix granulated sugar, creamy peanut butter, and vanilla extract. Add beaten eggs and heavy cream and mix to combine.
Step 3: Whisk together all purpose flour, baking powder and kosher salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Mix until just combined.
Step 4: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Sprinkle the top of the batter with chopped roasted and salted peanuts and semi sweet chocolate chips. Press down lightly. Bake until the bread is golden brown.
Hint: Scrape down the sides of the bowl occasionally when mixing the batter to ensure all of the ingredients are fully incorporated.
How to make peanut butter bread ahead of time
This peanut butter quick bread is perfect for making ahead. Simply bake a double batch and let the loaves cool completely. Slice them, then freeze individual pieces in an airtight bag or container for up to 3 months.
When you're ready to enjoy a slice, just pop it in the toaster or warm it in the oven for a few minutes!
How to serve peanut butter bread
- Breakfast: Toast and top with a smear of jam, peanut butter and/or banana slices.
- Snack: Pair with Greek yogurt or a drizzle of honey.
- Dessert: Add chocolate chips and serve warm with a scoop of ice cream.
- Peanut butter bread PB&J sandwich: Make a double peanut butter sandwich with two slices of peanut butter bread and some peanut butter and jelly spread in the middle!
Amy's expert tips
- A stand mixer is my first option for combining the ingredients, but a hand mixer or good old fashioned wooden spoon and bowl work just as well.
- Use a long wooden toothpick or skewer to check if the bread is done. If the pick comes out clean or with a few crumbs on it, the peanut butter bread is ready.
- Because peanut butter adds richness and fat, the center of your loaf can sometimes look slightly moist even when it's fully baked. Don't worry, that's normal! If a toothpick comes out clean, it's done.
- To prevent the top from browning too quickly, loosely tent the loaf with foil during the last 10 minutes of baking.
- Always stir your peanut butter well before measuring, especially if using natural peanut butter. If it's too oily or separated, your bread can turn out greasy. On the flip side, if the batter seems too thick or dry, add a splash of milk to smooth it out.
- For the best rise, make sure your baking powder is fresh! Old baking powder is one of the most common reasons for a flat loaf.
- For perfect slicing, let the loaf cool completely (hard as it may be to wait!). A serrated knife works best for clean cuts.
Storage
- Room temperature: Once your peanut butter bread has completely cooled, store it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: This loaf also freezes beautifully: slice it first, then wrap each piece individually and place them in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. To serve, simply reheat it in a 350°F oven for about 5 minutes or microwave for 20 to 30 seconds, then pop it in the toaster for that fresh-baked texture.
Peanut butter bread FAQs
Yes, within reason. Because it's made with peanut butter, this quick bread is naturally higher in protein and healthy fats compared to traditional sweet breads, which helps keep you full longer. While it's still a treat and should be enjoyed in moderation, peanut butter bread can absolutely fit into a balanced diet.
Peanut butter bread has a warm, nutty flavor that's rich but not overwhelming. It's slightly sweet, with the roasted, savory notes of peanut butter, and a tender, moist crumb.
Check for doneness with a long wooden toothpick. When it comes out clean when inserted into the center of the loaf, the bread is done. Alternately, the internal temperature on a digital thermometer should be about 200 degrees F. Cool the bread in the pan on a cooling rack for about 30 minutes before unmolding and slicing.
Yes! You can definitely use crunchy peanut butter. It adds great texture, just expect a slightly denser loaf.
More recipes like this one
Looking for other recipes like this chocolate chip peanut butter bread? Try these:
One more thing
Did you try this recipe?
Let me know by leaving a comment and a star rating below. Share it on Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook.
Thanks ~ Amy
Recipe
Recipe
Peanut Butter Bread Recipe with Chocolate Chips
Equipment
- metal loaf pan
Ingredients
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¾ cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs beaten
- 1 ½ cups heavy cream
- 2 ¼ cups all purpose flour
- 4 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ cup dry roasted and salted peanuts chopped
- ½ cup semi sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9 x 5 inch loaf pan and line the bottom with parchment paper. Set aside.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the granulated sugar, peanut butter, and vanilla extract until creamy.
- Add the beaten eggs and heavy cream. Mix until combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure ingredients are combined.
- Combine the all purpose flour, baking powder and kosher salt.
- With the mixer on low speed, slowly add the flour mixture to the peanut butter mixture. Blend just until the ingredients are combined.
- Pour the batter in the prepared loaf pan. Evenly sprinkle the peanuts and chocolate chips over the top of the batter and press down lightly.
- Bake for 55 to 65 minutes or until a long wooden toothpick inserted into the center of the bread comes out clean or with just a few crumbs on it.
- Remove the bread from the oven and place on a cooling rack. Let cool about 30 minutes before unmolding.
Video
Notes
- A stand mixer is my first option for combining the ingredients, but a hand mixer or good old fashioned wooden spoon and bowl work just as well.
- Use a long wooden toothpick or skewer to check if the bread is done. If the pick comes out clean or with a few crumbs on it, the peanut butter bread is ready.
- Because peanut butter adds richness and fat, the center of your loaf can sometimes look slightly moist even when it's fully baked. Don't worry, that's normal! If a toothpick comes out clean, it's done.
- To prevent the top from browning too quickly, loosely tent the loaf with foil during the last 10 minutes of baking.
- Always stir your peanut butter well before measuring, especially if using natural peanut butter. If it's too oily or separated, your bread can turn out greasy. On the flip side, if the batter seems too thick or dry, add a splash of milk to smooth it out.
- For the best rise, make sure your baking powder is fresh! Old baking powder is one of the most common reasons for a flat loaf.
Amy Vaughan says
I recently made this bread because I love peanut butter and chocolate and also like peanuts. It did not disappoint! Several family members have enjoyed it with me. I have briefly warmed my slices in the microwave, but it is good either way. I also like that the bread rises such that it makes a nice large-sized loaf and is very filling! We have eaten it for breakfast but would make a good snack with a cup of coffee, too! So glad to have found this recipe!
Amy Casey says
Yea! I'm so glad your family enjoyed my recipe Amy. I love it quickly toasted and with a little butter - yum!