My Favorite Banana Bread Recipe
Let me tell you about my best banana bread. It is so moist and sweet. The secret is those very ripe, spotty bananas. They make it taste amazing.
This is an easy banana bread recipe. You just mix wet and dry things. Then you swirl in chocolate and peanut butter. I still smile when I take it from the oven.
The Swirl That Steals the Show
Now, the chocolate peanut butter swirl is pure magic. You melt the chips and stir them into half the batter. Doesn’t that sound fun? The two batters look so pretty together.
You pour them into the pan in stripes. Then take a knife and swirl it gently. This matters because every slice gets a surprise. What’s your favorite thing to swirl into batter? Tell me, I’d love to know.
A Topping That Crunches
While the bread cools, make the pecan praline topping. You cook butter, sugar, and milk into a sauce. It bubbles and smells like caramel. Then you stir in the pecans and pour it right over the warm loaf.
It hardens into a sweet, crunchy shell. *Fun fact: The word “praline” comes from a French diplomat!* This topping turns simple dessert bread into something special. That crunch with the soft bread is perfect.
Why This Bread Feels Like Home
This homemade banana bread is a hug on a plate. Using applesauce and coconut oil makes it a bit healthier banana bread. It stays soft for days. This matters because good food should make you feel good.
You can also make it gluten free banana bread. Just use your favorite gluten-free flour blend. It works just the same. Do you prefer nuts in your bread, or do you like it plain?
Your Turn to Bake
I really think this is the best banana bread. The mix of banana, chocolate, and peanut butter is just right. And that pecan praline topping? It is the crowning glory.
Baking this is a simple joy. This matters because sharing recipes connects us. Will you try this recipe this weekend? If you do, please tell me how it turned out for you.
Ingredients:
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-free flour blend (or all-purpose flour) | 1 3/4 cups (210g) | |
| Baking powder | 1 tsp | |
| Baking soda | 1/2 tsp | |
| Salt | 1/2 tsp | |
| Cinnamon | 1 tsp | |
| Large ripe bananas | 2 | Should have a lot of dark spots |
| Large eggs | 2 | |
| Sugar | 1/2 cup (270g) | |
| Creamy peanut butter | 1/2 cup (130g) | |
| Coconut oil | 1/3 cup (80ml) | Melted |
| Unsweetened applesauce | 1/3 cup (75g) | |
| Vanilla | 2 tsp | |
| Semi-sweet chocolate chips | 1/2 cup (90g) | |
| Butter | 3 TBS | For Pecan Praline |
| Brown sugar | 4 TBS | For Pecan Praline |
| Low-fat milk | 2 TBS | For Pecan Praline |
| Vanilla | 1 tsp | For Pecan Praline |
| Chopped pecans | 4 TBS | For Pecan Praline |
Instructions
Step 1: First, get your oven nice and warm. Preheat it to 375 degrees. Grease your loaf pan and line it with paper. This easy banana bread recipe will slide right out later. I love that trick. Doesn’t that smell amazing already?
Step 2: Now, mix your dry stuff in a bowl. That’s the flour, baking powder, soda, salt, and cinnamon. Use gluten free flour blend if you like. In another big bowl, mash those ripe bananas. Get them really smooth for moist banana bread.
Step 3: Add eggs, sugar, peanut butter, oil, applesauce, and vanilla to the bananas. Stir it all up. (Use very ripe, spotty bananas for the sweetest flavor). Slowly mix in your flour mixture. Then split this homemade banana bread batter into two bowls.
Step 4: Melt your chocolate chips carefully. Stir them until creamy. Mix this into one batter bowl for the chocolate peanut butter swirl. You’ll have a light batter and a chocolate one. I still laugh at how messy my fingers get.
Step 5: Spoon both batters into your pan. Swirl them with a knife. Don’t overmix! You want a pretty pattern. Bake for about an hour. How do you know it’s done? Share below! Let it cool a bit. This is the best banana bread, I promise.
Step 6: Time for the pecan praline topping! Melt butter, sugar, and milk in a pot. Stir until saucy. Turn off the heat and add vanilla and pecans. Pour it over your warm dessert bread recipe. It hardens into the most delicious crackly shell.
Creative Twists
Swap peanut butter for sunflower seed butter. Add a handful of blueberries to the light batter. Drizzle with a simple yogurt glaze instead of praline. Which one would you try first? Comment below!Serving & Pairing Ideas
This healthy banana bread is a treat all by itself. For breakfast, I love a slice with a little extra peanut butter. It’s also wonderful warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. That pecan praline topping makes it a fancy dessert bread recipe. Which would you choose tonight?
Keeping Your Sweet Bread Fresh
Let’s talk about keeping your banana bread lovely. Once cool, wrap it tightly in foil. It loves a cozy spot in the fridge. For longer keeping, slice it first. Wrap each slice and freeze them flat.
This way, you can grab one piece anytime. I remember my first loaf. I left it out under a towel. It dried out by the next afternoon! I was so sad.
Batch cooking matters. It saves you time on busy days. A homemade treat is always ready for you. It feels good to be prepared.
Have you ever tried storing it this way? Share below!
Simple Fixes for Common Baking Hiccups
Baking can have little problems. Do not worry. First, if your bread is too dark on top, tent it with foil. This means loosely covering it halfway through baking.
Second, if the center is gooey, it needed more time. Ovens can be tricky. I once pulled a loaf out too early. The middle sank! Always test with a toothpick.
Third, if your swirls disappear, you mixed too much. Just a few gentle knife strokes are perfect. Fixing these issues builds your confidence. Your flavors and textures will be just right every time.
Which of these problems have you run into before?
Your Quick Questions, Answered
How to make peanut butter banana bread?
Use our best banana bread recipe. Mash very ripe bananas until smooth. Mix all wet ingredients, including peanut butter. Then gently stir in your dry flour mixture. Finally, swirl in melted chocolate for that chocolate peanut butter swirl. This easy banana bread is a perfect dessert bread recipe.
Can I use natural peanut butter in banana bread?
Yes, you can use natural peanut butter. Just stir it very well first. Make sure the oil and butter are fully mixed. This helps your homemade banana bread have an even texture. It is a great choice for a healthy banana bread option.
What is the best way to swirl peanut butter into batter?
Divide your batter into two bowls. Mix melted chocolate into one bowl. Then, alternate spoonfuls of each batter into your pan. Use a knife to make a few big figure-eight shapes. Do not over-mix! You want pretty ribbons of flavor.
How do you keep banana bread moist?
The key to moist banana bread is ripe fruit and applesauce. Our recipe uses both! Also, do not over-bake it. Let it cool completely before you slice it. Wrapping it well keeps it soft for days.
Can I add chocolate chips to peanut butter banana bread?
Absolutely! Our recipe already includes chocolate chips. You can use milk or dark chocolate if you prefer. *Fun fact: The chips melt a little while baking. This creates delicious pockets of chocolate in every bite.
How long does peanut butter banana bread last?
Wrapped well, it lasts a week in the fridge. You can also freeze it for up to three months. This gluten free banana bread holds up beautifully. The pecan praline topping stays wonderfully crunchy.
Which tip will you try first?
From My Kitchen to Yours
I hope you love baking this special bread. The smell in your kitchen will be wonderful. It reminds me of happy weekend mornings with my family.
I would love to hear about your baking adventure. Tell me how it turned out for you. Your stories are my favorite thing to read.
Have you tried this recipe? Let me know in the comments below!
Happy cooking!
—Marina Caldwell
Peanut Butter Swirled Banana Loaf
Description
Banana Chocolate and Peanut Butter Swirl Bread with Pecan Praline
Ingredients
Pecan Praline:
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (180 degrees C). Spray a loaf pan with cooking spray and line it with parchment paper. This will make it easier to pull out the bread later.
- In a medium bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon together.
- In a large bowl, mash the bananas until there are no chunks left. Mix in the eggs, sugar, peanut butter, oil, applesauce, and vanilla. Gradually mix in the flour mixture. I usually add the flour in 3 batches. Divide the batter into two bowls.
- Melt the chocolate chips in the microwave. Start by heating it for 30 seconds, then continue heating it in 15-second intervals until nearly all the chips have turned glossy. Pull the chips out of the microwave, and stir until you get a creamy chocolate mixture. Mix the chocolate with one half of the batter.
- Pour the batter into the loaf pan, alternating between the light and dark batters. Using a knife, toothpick, or a skewer, swirl the batter on the top. You don’t need to overwork it, but you just want to create a bit of a pattern.
- Bake for 55 to 60 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Let the bread cool for 10 minutes before pulling it out of the pan.
- Prepare the pecan praline: In a small saucepan, melt the butter. Then add sugar and milk, and mix everything together until everything looks like a sauce. Turn off the heat, and stir in the vanilla and pecans. Pour the sauce over the bread. The praline hardens pretty quickly. If the sauce hardens before you poured it on top of the bread, just reheat it.
- Wrap leftovers in foil and refrigerate. It should keep for at least a week.
Notes
- For accurate baking, ensure bananas are very ripe with dark spots. The praline can be made while the bread cools. If you don’t have a microwave, melt chocolate chips in a double boiler.