Banana bread has long been a beloved classic, known for its moist crumb and natural sweetness. But when you add the nutty richness of peanut butter and the indulgence of Reese’s peanut butter cups, this humble loaf transforms into a decadent treat. Reese’s peanut butter banana bread combines the best of comfort baking with the irresistible flavor of chocolate and peanut butter. It’s a recipe that feels both nostalgic and exciting, making it perfect for family gatherings, bake sales, or simply indulging at home. If you’re ready to take banana bread to the next level, this recipe will guide you step by step.
Ingredients (with detailed measurements)
For the bread:
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1 ½ cups (190 g) all-purpose flour
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1 teaspoon baking soda
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½ teaspoon baking powder
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½ teaspoon salt
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½ cup (115 g) unsalted butter, softened
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½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
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½ cup (100 g) brown sugar, packed
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2 large eggs, room temperature
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1 cup (240 g) mashed ripe bananas (about 2–3 bananas)
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½ cup (130 g) creamy peanut butter
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1 teaspoon vanilla extract
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½ cup (120 ml) sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
For mix-ins and topping:
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1 cup (150 g) chopped Reese’s peanut butter cups (plus extra for topping)
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½ cup (90 g) semi-sweet chocolate chips (optional)
These ingredients balance moisture, sweetness, and structure. The peanut butter enriches the batter while sour cream ensures a tender crumb.
Instructions (Step-by-Step Guide)
Step 1: Prepare the oven and pan
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
Step 2: Mix dry ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
Step 3: Cream butter and sugars
In a large mixing bowl, beat softened butter with granulated and brown sugar until light and fluffy, about 2–3 minutes. This step creates air pockets that help the bread rise.
Step 4: Add eggs and peanut butter
Beat in eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Add creamy peanut butter and vanilla extract, stirring until smooth.
Step 5: Incorporate bananas and sour cream
Fold in mashed bananas and sour cream until combined. The batter will appear thick but creamy.
Step 6: Combine wet and dry ingredients
Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined. Do not overmix, as this can make the bread dense.
Step 7: Add Reese’s and chocolate chips
Gently fold in chopped Reese’s peanut butter cups and chocolate chips (if using). Reserve a few pieces for sprinkling on top before baking.
Step 8: Bake the bread
Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Smooth the top and sprinkle with extra chopped Reese’s for decoration. Bake for 55–65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs. If the bread browns too quickly, tent with aluminum foil halfway through baking.
Step 9: Cool before slicing
Allow the bread to cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Cooling prevents crumbling and allows flavors to develop fully.
Conservation and Storage
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Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
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Refrigeration: Keeps for up to 1 week in the refrigerator. Bring to room temperature or warm slightly before serving.
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Freezing: Wrap the cooled loaf (whole or sliced) tightly in plastic wrap and place in a freezer bag. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge or at room temperature.
Variations
Reese’s peanut butter banana bread can be customized to suit different tastes:
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Reese’s Pieces Version: Substitute or add Reese’s Pieces candies for colorful crunch.
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Swirled Peanut Butter Bread: Swirl 2 tablespoons of peanut butter into the top of the batter before baking for a marbled look.
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Nutty Crunch: Add chopped peanuts or walnuts for extra texture.
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Gluten-Free: Replace all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
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Mini Loaves or Muffins: Divide batter into mini loaf pans or muffin tins and reduce bake time to 20–25 minutes.
Serving Suggestions
This decadent bread shines in many settings:
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Serve warm slices with a glass of cold milk for a classic pairing.
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Top with a drizzle of melted chocolate for dessert presentation.
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Enjoy as a mid-morning snack with coffee or tea.
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Toast lightly and spread with extra peanut butter for indulgence.
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Cut into cubes and use for a bread pudding-style dessert.
Tips for Perfecting the Dish
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Use very ripe bananas for maximum sweetness and moisture. Brown spots on the peel are ideal.
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Balance peanut butter—creamy peanut butter mixes smoothly, while chunky may alter the texture.
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Do not overmix once flour is added; gentle folding keeps the crumb tender.
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Check doneness early—every oven bakes differently, so begin testing at 50 minutes.
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Cool completely before slicing for clean cuts and full flavor.
Conclusion
Reese’s peanut butter banana bread takes the comforting classic to new heights with the irresistible combination of bananas, peanut butter, and chocolate. It’s versatile enough for breakfast, a snack, or dessert, and it can be adapted with fun variations to suit your preferences. With its moist texture, nutty richness, and bursts of candy sweetness, this loaf proves that banana bread can be as indulgent as it is comforting. Whether baked for a special occasion or as a treat to share with family, it will quickly become a favorite in your recipe collection.
Print
Reese’s Peanut Butter Banana Bread
- Total Time: 75 minutes
- Yield: 1 loaf (10–12 slices) 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A moist and indulgent banana bread packed with creamy peanut butter and chunks of Reese’s peanut butter cups. Perfect as a dessert, snack, or sweet breakfast treat.
Ingredients
For the bread:
-
1 ½ cups (190 g) all-purpose flour
-
1 teaspoon baking soda
-
½ teaspoon baking powder
-
½ teaspoon salt
-
½ cup (115 g) unsalted butter, softened
-
½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
-
½ cup (100 g) brown sugar, packed
-
2 large eggs, room temperature
-
1 cup (240 g) mashed ripe bananas (about 2–3 bananas)
-
½ cup (130 g) creamy peanut butter
-
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
-
½ cup (120 ml) sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
Mix-ins and topping:
-
1 cup (150 g) chopped Reese’s peanut butter cups (plus extra for topping)
-
½ cup (90 g) semi-sweet chocolate chips (optional)
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan or line with parchment paper.
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In a medium bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
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In a large bowl, cream butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until fluffy.
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Beat in eggs one at a time, then add peanut butter and vanilla. Mix until smooth.
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Stir in mashed bananas and sour cream.
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Gradually fold in dry ingredients until just combined—do not overmix.
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Gently fold in chopped Reese’s and chocolate chips.
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Pour batter into prepared loaf pan. Smooth top and sprinkle with extra chopped Reese’s.
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Bake 55–65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with moist crumbs.
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Cool in pan for 15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.
Notes
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Use overripe bananas with brown spots for best sweetness and moisture.
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Tent with foil halfway through baking if the top browns too quickly.
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Cool completely before slicing for clean cuts.
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Store unglazed bread before freezing, add fresh Reese’s on top when serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Category: Quick Bread / Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 26 g
- Sodium: 230 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg
Keywords: Reese’s peanut butter banana bread, peanut butter banana bread, Reese’s dessert loaf, chocolate peanut butter banana bread Nutrition (per slice, based on 12 servings) Serving Size: 1 slice Calories: ~320 Sugar: 26 g Sodium: 230 mg Fat: 15 g Saturated Fat: 7 g Unsaturated Fat: 8 g Trans Fat: 0 g Carbohydrates: 42 g Fiber: 2 g Protein: 6 g Cholesterol: 55 mg Would you like me to also turn this into a JSON-LD Recipe Schema so it’s SEO-ready and can qualify for Google Rich Snippets?