If you’ve been on social media at all the last few weeks, you know that #quarantinebaking is all the rage right now. You probably also know that yeast is sold out in many areas!
That led us to the banana bread craze. Yes, banana bread is great (I’m personally obsessed with Chrissy Teigen’s recipe), but now there’s a different quick bread stealing everyone’s hearts: PEANUT BUTTER BREAD.
What started as a YouTube video has become a social media sensation, with tons of people whipping up the basic recipe for peanut butter bread. I love both baking and eating, so I decided to find out if it’s as easy—and delicious—as everyone says.
How to Make Peanut Butter Bread
This recipe originally came from a 1930s Depression-era cookbook, Five Roses Flour: A Guide to Good Cooking.
Ingredients
- 2 cups flour
- 4 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1-1/3 cup milk
- 1/2 cup peanut butter
Instructions
Like most Depression-era recipes, the steps for this one are straightforward. Preheat the oven to 325° F. Mix all of the dry ingredients together, then mix in the milk and peanut butter. Pour the batter into a greased or parchment-lined 9×5-in. loaf pan. Bake for approximately an hour or until set.
Initial Thoughts
I’ve made banana bread before so I’m well aware that you can make delicious bread without yeast. However, I was skeptical of this recipe—peanut butter is the only ingredient with any real flavor, so I was worried it would be bland. Not only that, but peanut butter is incredibly dense, so I was concerned the bread would turn out to be a flat loaf, not the heavenly fluffiness I dreamt of.
Baking the Bread
This recipe is exactly the kind of recipe I appreciate: minimal ingredients and even more minimal instructions. It’s virtually impossible to mess up, which is great for those of us who aren’t the best cooks in the world. I liked that the ingredients were easy to combine, as well. I didn’t even have to use an electric mixer—I simply stirred them together by hand. I set my oven to 350° F and my bread was perfectly golden brown within about 50 minutes.
The Outcome
I’m not saying I’m a bread expert but I’m not not saying it either. I love carbs, especially in loaf form. So, having had some pretty amazing ones (hello, Amish friendship bread), I’m pretty particular about the breads I eat. This peanut butter bread was surprisingly moist and tasty. It wasn’t as light and fluffy as I would have liked, but the flavor was all there. And by the end of the loaf, I had started to appreciate the denser, muffin-like texture.
My final verdict? It may not beat banana bread, but it’s certainly easy! This 1930s recipe is worth a try as a fun baking experiment—especially if you’re out of yeast!
More Quick Breads to Try at Home
1 / 65
Country Cinnamon Swirl Bread
I'm always busy with three active sons, so this rich quick bread is a favorite. I like to wrap these loaves to give as gifts. —Sharon Walker, Huntington Station, New York
New to baking bread? Check out our complete bread baking guide.
Herb Quick Bread
This simple bread is especially good with soups and stews, but slices are also tasty alongside fresh, green salads. The herbs make it a flavorful treat any time of the year. —Donna Roberts, Shumway, Illinois
Chocolate Zucchini Bread
I shred and freeze zucchini from my garden each summer so that I can make this bread all winter long. Our family loves this chocolaty treat.—Shari Mckinney, Birney, Montana
Best Ever Banana Bread
Whenever I pass a display of bananas in the grocery store, I can almost smell the wonderful aroma of my best banana bread recipe. It really is that good! —Gert Kaiser, Kenosha, Wisconsin
Classic Irish Soda Bread
This traditional Irish soda bread can be made with an assortment of mix-ins such as dried fruit and nuts, but I like it with a handful of raisins. —Gloria Warczak, Cedarburg, Wisconsin
Glazed Cranberry Sweet Potato Bread
The Sweet Potato Festival Committee of Vardaman, Mississippi shared this recipe starring their crop. Slices of the moist bread topped with an orange glaze make a sweet snack to enjoy anytime.
Grandma’s Onion Squares
My grandma brought this recipe with her when she emigrated from Italy as a young wife and mother. It is still a family favorite. —Janet Eddy, Stockton, California
Peach Cobbler Bread
I developed this recipe to take advantage of our wonderful Georgia peaches. My husband, Andy, says it tastes just like peach cobbler.
Chocolate Chai Mini Loaves
This bread is irresistible! A friend gets mad when I make it because I give her a loaf and she can't help but eat the whole thing! —Lisa Christensen, Poplar Grove, Illinois
Lemony Zucchini Bread
Flecks of zucchini give a third dimension to the popular lemon and poppy seed combination in this moist quick bread. My family loves this lemon zucchini bread at all times of the year.—Field Editor Carol Funk, Richard, Saskatchewan.
Soft Sesame Breadsticks
I've been making these tasty breadsticks that go with almost any meal for years. Since they use ingredients like flour, sugar, baking powder and milk, it's convenient and inexpensive to mix up a batch. —Nancy Johnson, Connersville, Indiana
Gluten- and Dairy-Free Cinnamon Raisin Bread
After learning of gluten and dairy issues in our family, I knew I had to re-create our favorite sweet bread. This gluten-free bread can be made using a premixed gluten-free flour or your own homemade blend. We use coconut milk to make it dairy-free, but any type of milk works! —Courtney Stultz, Weir, Kansas
Cran-Almond Loaf
My delicious quick bread is comforting in the afternoon with a cup of tea, served toasted in the morning for breakfast, or as a midnight snack. Morning, afternoon or evening, this is always a treat! —Mary West, Marstons Mills, Massachusetts
Favorite Irish Bread
My friend Mary Manning was born in Ireland-and so was her easy-to-make Irish bread recipe. Folks stand in line to get a slice. Serve it with butter, jam and a hot cup of tea. —Sadie M. Rotondo, Rockland, Massachusetts
Double Cranberry Banana Bread
We love quick breads, and I've found that they freeze nicely if properly wrapped. This is a scrumptious recipe to make before the holidays and freeze for last-minute guests or gifts. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas
Pumpkin Bread with Gingerbread Topping
This yummy pumpkin bread won first prize in the Acorn Pantry Bread Contest. It melts in your mouth, and the recipe easily doubles for gift-giving. —Renee' Nanez, Frederic, Wisconsin
Olive & Onion Quick Bread
I’ve been baking for over 50 years and I never get tired of trying new recipes for my family, friends and co-workers. Baking actually relaxes me. I feel like an artist creating a masterpiece of love. This savory loaf makes a great gift. —Paula Marchesi, Lenhartsville, PA
Honey Spice Bread
The texture of this bread is almost like a cake, so I usually serve slices of it for dessert. The loaf looks so festive with the pretty glaze drizzled on top. —Gaye O'Dell, Binghamton, New York
Ice Cream Bread
Ice cream gets a whole new use in this tender bread recipe that I pared down to serve two. Be sure to use full-fat ice cream for best results. —Katherine Kuehlman, Denver, Colorado
Cast-Iron Chocolate Chip Banana Bread
I love this cast-iron banana bread because it cooks evenly every time. The end result is so moist and delicious! —Ashley Hudd, Holton, Michigan
Crunchy Breadsticks
These thin, crisp breadsticks created in our Test Kitchen add a bit of elegance to a holiday dinner. Each bite is perfectly seasoned with thyme and coarse salt.
Chocolate Quick Bread
My husband and I both enjoy cooking, but the baking is left to me. Our sons loved this chocolaty quick bread when they were little...and still do as grownups!—Melissa Mitchell-Wilson, Wichita, Kansas
Swiss Beer Bread
This recipe is a favorite because it isn't greasy like some cheese breads I have tried. It will not last long! —Debi Wallace, Chestertown, New York
Cheesy Garlic Herb Quick Bread
This could be the perfect bread for any dish. The sharp cheddar cheese makes it irresistible.—Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Bacon Parmesan Popovers
This recipe proves that simple ingredients often result in the best-tasting dishes. These popovers are a nice change from ordinary toast or muffins. —Donna Gaston, Coplay, Pennsylvania
Orange-Chip Cranberry Bread
Tart berries, crunchy nuts and sweet chocolate are simply scrumptious when mixed together in this easy quick bread. Sometimes I'll top it off with an orange-flavored glaze. —Donna Smith, Fairport, New York
Socca
Socca is a traditional flatbread from Nice, France. It's common to see it cooked on grills as street food, served chopped in a paper cone and sprinkled with salt, pepper or other delicious toppings. Bonus: It's gluten-free. — Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Dutch Apple Loaf
Being of Dutch descent, I knew I had to try this recipe for a moist, fruity quick bread. It freezes well, so I often have a loaf on hand for church bazaars. —Gladys Meyer, Ottumwa, Iowa
Almond & Cranberry Coconut Bread
Here’s an all-around great bread for any season. The red bursts of cranberry lend every slice extra appeal for Christmastime. —Rosemary Johnson, Irondale, Alabama
Cinnamon Swirl Quick Bread
While cinnamon swirl bread is a natural for breakfast, we love it so much we enjoy it all day long. This is a nice twist on traditional cinnamon swirl yeast breads. —Helen Richardson, Shelbyville, Michigan
Lemon Blueberry Bread
Of all the quick breads we had growing up, this beautiful lemon blueberry bread is the best! The citrus glaze adds a lustrous finish and locks in moisture. —Julianne Johnson, Grove City, Minnesota
Fresh Pear Bread
When our tree branches are loaded with ripe and juicy fruit, I treat my family and friends to lots of pear recipes. I always receive raves and requests for this particular recipe because of the mix of fun ingredients.—Linda Patrick, Houston, Texas
Eggnog Mini Loaves
The seasonal flavors of eggnog, rum extract and nutmeg shine through in these moist, golden loaves. Tender slices go great with a cup of coffee. —Beverly Elmore, Spokane, Michigan
Parmesan Zucchini Bread
This loaf has a rugged, textured look that adds to its old-fashioned appeal. The mild Parmesan flavor nicely complements the zucchini, which adds bits of green color to every tender slice. —Christine Wilson, Sellersville, Pennsylvania
One-Bowl Chocolate Chip Bread
My family hops out of bed on Valentine’s Day because they know I’m baking this quick bread for breakfast. They’re major chocoholics and it always hits the spot. —Angela Lively, Conroe, Texas
Pumpkin Banana Bread
I came across this recipe in a local newspaper about 10 years ago, and I still make the bread on a regular basis. The recipe conveniently yields a number of mini loaves, making gift-giving easy. —Linda Wood, Roanoke, Virginia
Pistachio Quick Bread
I love making many of these special loaves to give away for the holidays. They also freeze well so it is easy to pull out for unexpected guests. —Judy Fischer, Green Bay, Wisconsin
Poppy Seed Bread with Orange Glaze
My neighbor gave me this recipe, and I love that it makes two loaves. We usually eat one and then give the other away or freeze it for later. The glaze complements the bread perfectly. —Heather Frese, Albany, Missouri
Candy Cane Chocolate Mini Loaves
Having a bunch of leftover candy canes after the holidays inspired me to use them up by adding them to a chocolate bread. Coffee and cocoa intensify the flavor. —Shelly Platten, Amherst, Wisconsin
Cranberry Orange Almond Quick Bread
You can customize this bread to your family's specific tastes. Try dried apricots and pecans, or dried blueberries and hazelnuts. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Pina Colada Zucchini Bread
At my husband's urging, I entered this recipe at the Pennsylvania Farm Show and won first place! I think you'll love the cakelike texture and tropical flavors. —Sharon Rydbom, Tipton, Pennsylvania
Cinnamon Raisin Quick Bread
Cinnamon and raisins bring heartwarming flavor to this mildly sweet bread. It's ideal for an on-the-go breakfast or a quick snack before dinner. —Flo Burtnett, Gage, Oklahoma
I Like to Eat Apples and Bananas Bread
My children love to bake (and eat) all kinds of banana bread. They make this all by themselves, with just a little help from me to put it in the oven. —Kristin Metcalf, Charlton, Massachusetts
Rhubarb Bread
This is quite a good bread - our family really enjoys it! It's also very quick and easy to prepare, once you have the rhubarb diced. —Grace Capen, Sacramento, California
Skillet Herb Bread
We had a lot of family get-togethers when I was growing up. My grandmother, aunts and mom were all good cooks, and each had her own specialty when it came to bread. But Mom's was my favorite—she started making it 40 years ago. The flavors call to mind the taste of cornbread stuffing! —Shirley Smith, Yorba Linda, California
Almond Tea Bread
My aunt brought her tea bread recipe with her from Scotland, and enjoying a fresh-baked loaf has become a family tradition during the holidays. Each slice is loaded with red cherries. —Kathleen Showers, Briggsdale, Colorado
Autumn Pear Bread
Pears give these little loaves delicious flavor and help keep them nice and moist. They're great to wrap up in plastic wrap and give as gifts. —Mary Lynn Wilson, Linden, Texas
Cowboy Cornbread
This cornbread is richer and sweeter than others I’ve tried, and especially luscious alongside ham and beans. —Karen Ann Bland, Gove, Kansas
Favorite Irish Soda Bread
My best friend, Rita, shared this irresistible Irish soda bread recipe. It bakes up high, with a golden brown top and a combination of sweet and savory flavors. —Jan Alfano, Prescott, Arizona
Apple Bread
I got this apple quick bread recipe a long time ago and with a few changes it's become one of our favorites. Everyone who's ever tasted this apple bread has asked for the recipe! —Phyllis Herlocker, Farlington, Kansas
Rhubarb Bread
This is quite a good bread - our family really enjoys it! It's also very quick and easy to prepare, once you have the rhubarb diced. —Grace Capen, Sacramento, California
Banana Nut Bread
This quick bread is a family favorite, so I always try to have ripe bananas on hand for this recipe. I'm sure your family will love this tasty, nutty bread as much as mine. —Susan Jones, La Grange Park, Illinois
Macadamia Nut Mini Loaves
While these loaves may be small, they have a big rich flavor. The macadamia nuts make them a special treat with tropical flair. Plus, they're so pretty with the toasted coconut topping. —Kim Gilliland, Simi Valley, California
Chocolate Chip Cranberry Bread
This cranberry bread is tender and moist. The first time I made it, it immediately became a favorite for the fall and winter holidays. The tart cranberries complement the sweet chocolate so well.—Jessica Hornaday, Nampa, Idaho
Sweet Italian Holiday Bread
This is authentic ciambellotto, a sweet loaf my great-grandmother used to bake in Italy. I still use her traditional recipe—the only update I made was for using modern appliances. —Denise Perrin, Vancouver, Washington
Sweet Potato Cinnamon Bread
My family loves quick breads. This one is moist and spicy. If you don't have mini loaf pans it works just as well in regular size pans. —Nancy Foust, Stoneboro, Pennsylvania
Spicy Applesauce Fruit Bread
I've had this fruity loaf in my recipe collection since 1975. I tweak it with spices and candied fruit, depending on the season. —Dawn Lowenstein, Huntingdon Valley, Pennsylvania
Appalachian Cornbread
On this westernmost ridge of the Appalachians, we get abundant rain and sunshine, which allows our children to grow a super sweet corn crop. With staggered plantings, there is enough to eat from mid-July through August, plus plenty to freeze for the long winter. This cornbread is just one way we use some of the bounty! —Anne Wiehler, Farmington, Pennsylvania
Moroccan Spiced Fruit & Nut Bread
Red pepper flakes combined with the cinnamon and allspice give each slice of this bread a subtle hint of warmth. —Donna Marie Ryan, Topsfield, Massachusetts
Lemon-Thyme Tea Bread
I received this recipe as part of a gift, along with a lemon thyme plant and a fresh loaf of this pound cake-like bread. Everyone who tries it asks for the recipe. —Jeannette Mango, Parkesburg, Pennsylvania
Cranberry Walnut Pumpkin Bread
This tasty bread is perfect for a Thanksgiving meal or any time of the year. I plant pumpkins in my garden, and this is one of my favorite ways to use them.
Jalapeno Buttermilk Cornbread
If you’re from the South, you have to have a good cornbread recipe. Here’s a healthier version of my mom’s skillet cornbread. —Debi Mitchell, Flower Mound, Texas
Caraway Cheese Bread
We enjoy cheese in a variety of ways. In this savory bread, cheddar cheese blends beautifully with just the right amount of caraway.
Orange Cranberry Bread
These moist loaves are packed with the zesty taste of cranberries and orange peel. I suggest serving slices toasted with butter or cream cheese. —Ron Gardner, Grand Haven, Michigan
Yummy Apricot Pecan Bread
Every time I prepare this yummy bread, I always receive raves. It’s perfect with coffee or as a gift, plus it’s really quick and easy to prepare. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas
The post I Made This Recipe for Peanut Butter Bread from 1932. Here’s What Happened. appeared first on Taste of Home.
Amanda Tarlton