Reese’s Peanut Butter Banana Bread – Easy Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Bread

Reese’s peanut butter banana bread is a delicious twist on classic homemade banana bread, combining ripe mashed bananas, creamy peanut butter, and chopped Reese’s peanut butter cups. Each slice brings together the familiar sweetness of banana bread with rich peanut butter flavor and pieces of chocolate and peanut butter throughout. This recipe makes two loaves, making it a lovely option for sharing with family, serving at breakfast, or enjoying as a homemade dessert. Greek yogurt adds moisture to the batter, while the combination of granulated and brown sugar brings sweetness and flavor. If you love banana bread and Reese’s peanut butter cups, this recipe brings both together in one satisfying bake.

Why You’ll Love This Reese’s Peanut Butter Banana Bread

• Peanut butter and banana combination: Creamy peanut butter and ripe bananas bring together two classic flavors in one homemade loaf.
• Chopped Reese’s cups: Pieces of Reese’s peanut butter cups add chocolate and peanut butter flavor throughout the bread.
• Makes two loaves: The recipe produces two loaves, making it convenient for sharing or keeping one for later.
• Great for ripe bananas: This recipe is a useful way to turn overripe bananas into a homemade baked treat.
• Breakfast or dessert: Its sweet flavor makes it suitable for breakfast, an afternoon snack, or dessert.
• Moist ingredients: Greek yogurt, mashed bananas, and softened butter contribute to the bread’s texture.

Reese’s Peanut Butter Banana Bread Ingredients

This banana bread recipe uses familiar baking ingredients, along with peanut butter and Reese’s cups for its signature flavor.

• Smooth peanut butter: Gives the bread its peanut butter flavor. Creamy peanut butter is recommended, although crunchy peanut butter can also be used.
• Butter: Softened butter helps create the base of the batter when creamed with the peanut butter.
• Pure vanilla extract: Adds flavor and complements the peanut butter and banana.
• Granulated sugar: Sweetens the batter.
• Light brown sugar: Adds sweetness and a deeper sugar flavor.
• Eggs: Four large eggs help bind the ingredients and provide structure.
• Self-rising flour: Provides the flour base and leavening for the bread.
• Plain Greek yogurt: Adds moisture to the batter and helps create a tender loaf.
• Ripe bananas: Four small mashed bananas provide banana flavor and natural sweetness. The recipe uses approximately 1½ cups of mashed banana.
• Chopped Reese’s cups: These add chocolate and peanut butter pieces throughout the banana bread.

Helpful Tips for Making Reese’s Peanut Butter Banana Bread

• Choose overripe bananas: The riper the bananas, the sweeter they become. Even bananas that look overly ripe can be excellent for banana bread.
• Use softened butter: Softened butter is easier to cream with the peanut butter and vanilla, helping create a fluffy mixture.
• Avoid natural peanut butter: Natural peanut butter can separate and affect the texture of the batter. Regular creamy peanut butter is recommended.
• Scrape the mixing bowl: Stop occasionally to scrape the sides of the bowl so the ingredients combine evenly.
• Fold in the bananas and Reese’s by hand: Once the batter is prepared, gently fold in the mashed bananas and chopped Reese’s cups until incorporated.
• Watch the browning: Check the loaves after 35 minutes of baking. If the tops are browning too quickly, cover them with foil before continuing to bake.
• Test the center: Insert a toothpick into the center of the bread. It should come back clean when the loaves are finished baking.

How to Make Reese’s Peanut Butter Banana Bread

This homemade peanut butter banana bread comes together by preparing a creamy batter, folding in mashed bananas and chopped Reese’s cups, and baking until the loaves are cooked through.

Step 1: Prepare the Loaf Pans

Preheat the oven to 350°F.
Prepare two non-stick metal loaf pans measuring 9×5 inches or two 8×4-inch loaf pans. Spray the bottoms and sides with baking spray or grease them with butter and flour.

Step 2: Cream the Peanut Butter and Butter

Using an electric mixer, cream together the smooth peanut butter, softened butter, and vanilla extract for 2 minutes until fluffy.
This step combines the peanut butter and butter into a smooth base for the batter.

Step 3: Add the Sugars

Add the granulated sugar and packed light brown sugar to the bowl.
Beat on medium-high speed for 2 minutes or until fully combined.

Step 4: Mix in the Eggs

Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
Increase the mixer speed and beat for 30 seconds until the wet ingredients become light beige in color. Stop periodically to scrape down the sides of the bowl.

Step 5: Add the Flour and Greek Yogurt

Lower the mixer speed. Gradually add the self-rising flour alternately with the Greek yogurt, beginning and ending with the flour.
Once everything has been added, beat just until fully combined. Scrape the bottom and sides of the bowl to make sure the ingredients are incorporated.

Step 6: Fold in the Bananas and Reese’s Cups

Add the mashed bananas and chopped Reese’s cups to the batter.
Use a spatula to fold them in by hand until fully incorporated.

Step 7: Divide the Batter

Use a measuring cup to divide the batter evenly between the two prepared loaf pans.

Step 8: Bake the Banana Bread

Bake at 350°F for 35 minutes, then check the tops for browning.
If needed, lay foil over the top of the pans to prevent excessive browning.
Continue baking for another 15–20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes back clean.

Step 9: Cool the Loaves

Remove the pans from the oven and let the banana bread cool in the pans for 15 minutes.
Carefully remove the loaves from the pans and transfer them to a cooling rack. Allow them to cool completely before slicing.

Variations and Substitutions

There are several ways to adapt this Reese’s peanut butter banana bread using the options included in the original recipe.

• Crunchy peanut butter: Replace the creamy peanut butter with crunchy peanut butter if you prefer extra peanut texture.
• Add chopped peanuts: Fold in ½ cup of chopped peanuts for additional crunch.
• Use sour cream: Replace the Greek yogurt with the same amount of full-fat sour cream.
• Change the chocolate: Instead of Reese’s cups, use semisweet, milk chocolate, or dark chocolate chips.
• Make homemade self-rising flour: If you don’t have self-rising flour, combine 3 cups of all-purpose flour with 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1 teaspoon baking soda, and ½ teaspoon salt. Whisk the dry ingredients together before using them in the recipe.

How to Serve Reese’s Peanut Butter Banana Bread

Once the loaves have cooled completely, slice the banana bread and serve it for breakfast, as an afternoon snack, or as a dessert.
The combination of banana, peanut butter, and chocolate makes each slice satisfying on its own. You can also arrange slices on a serving plate when sharing the bread with family or guests.
Because this recipe makes two loaves, it’s also convenient when you want to prepare a homemade treat to share.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy?

Yes. The recipe notes that crunchy peanut butter can replace creamy peanut butter. However, avoid natural peanut butter because it can separate and affect the batter’s texture.

What bananas are best for peanut butter banana bread?

Overripe bananas are recommended. As bananas ripen, they become sweeter, making them especially useful for banana bread.

Can I use sour cream instead of Greek yogurt?

Yes. You can replace the plain Greek yogurt with the same amount of full-fat sour cream.

What can I use instead of Reese’s cups?

You can replace the chopped Reese’s cups with semisweet chocolate chips, milk chocolate chips, or dark chocolate chips.

How do I know when the banana bread is fully baked?

After the initial 35 minutes, check the tops for browning and cover with foil if needed. Continue baking for another 15–20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes back clean.

Make This Reese’s Peanut Butter Banana Bread

Reese’s peanut butter banana bread brings together ripe bananas, creamy peanut butter, and chocolate peanut butter cups in two homemade loaves. With its simple mixing steps and familiar baking ingredients, it’s a delicious way to use overripe bananas. Make a batch for breakfast, dessert, or sharing whenever you’re craving homemade banana bread with a peanut butter and chocolate twist.

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