A not-too-sweet peanut butter loaf with a tender crumb that bakes to a golden brown. It's a simple recipe that can be eaten on its own or with a pool of chocolate sauce, taking an otherwise plain and simple quick bread to the next level. And it freezes wonderfully.
Not-too-sweet loaf
Most quick bread recipes tend to be very sweet because they don’t have the rusticity of bread.
This is a notable compromise between a cake and bread, not too sweet, with a definite rugged texture, perfect for toast with jam in the morning or as a snack.
This bread is not too sweet, which makes it different from a piece of cake.
I say this a lot about several flavor combinations, but I have a strong point regarding peanut butter and chocolate.
And lots of hard data to prove it: peanut butter brownies, buckeyes candy, the cutest chocolate kiss cookies, and so many others.
Ingredient list
- Peanut butter: use the creamy, smooth type from the store.
- Egg: fresh, large.
- Vanilla.
- Brown sugar: light or dark.
- White granulated sugar.
- All-purpose flour.
- Salt.
- Baking powder: make sure it isn't expired.
- Unsalted butter.
- Milk: use whole for a richer bread. Reduced-fat milk can also be used.
Quantities are listed in the recipe card towards the end of this post. The Ingredients page has more details and lists the brands we use.
Variations & substitutions
- Chocolate chips: add a half cup of semisweet or milk chips to the batter and omit the sauce. Or not and add it for a double dose of chocolate.
- Extra peanuts: add a half cup of chopped nuts to the batter or sprinkle them on top before baking. Pecans also work well.
- Buckwheat flour: substitute ½ cup all-purpose flour for it. It adds an earthy, rustic tone to the bread.
- Almond butter: substitute it for the peanut. It'll be amazing.
Chocolate sauce or frosting
The sauce is quick to make and keeps well in the fridge for a few weeks. You'll have to warm it slightly before using it, as it'll be cold and solid.
It has that unmistakable sheen and lusciousness that comes from adding corn syrup. Even after a few days, the glazes stay chewy, not dry. A huge plus in my book.
Frosting-like sauce: as it cools down, it'll solidify and be more spreadable and you can use it to frost the bread. That will also happen if you chill it and bring it to room temperature without warming it.
Kitchen Notes
- Organization: read the recipe first and ensure you have ingredients at the correct temperature, utensils and equipment needed, and enough workspace. This will make the process so much easier.
- Baking time: keep in mind that all ovens and pans are different, even if they look the same or very similar. The baking time in my recipes is as accurate as it can be, but it might take you more or less time. You can use a thermometer(like the OXO oven thermometer) to check that your oven is at the right temperature. I recommend you keep track of how your oven works and what tiny details you might need to adjust.
- Storing: it keeps well at room temperature for 2-3 days, well covered in plastic wrap or an airtight container. Make-ahead and freeze: I like to have loaves of this bread for breakfast toast so I keep it frozen. Let it cool completely, cut it into slices and freeze them in a sealed plastic bag or wrap, without overcrowding.
Serving ideas
- Toasted: it's a great bread to slice and toast. I eat it with butter in the morning.
- Chocolate sauce: fresh or toasted, if you want an indulgent bite in the afternoon, as an after-school snack, or just because, serve it with the chocolate sauce that is also a fantastic recipe by itself.
- Make banana sandwiches: fill with banana slices and some peanut butter. And maybe a slather of chocolate sauce if you feel like having an over-the-top snack.
Related recipes you might like:
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Peanut Butter Bread (with chocolate sauce or frosting)
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Ingredients
For the peanut butter bread:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ⅓ cup butter, at room temperature
- ½ cup sugar
- ¼ cup light brown sugar
- 1 egg, at room temperature
- ¾ cup smooth peanut butter
- ½ teaspoon vanilla
- 1 cup milk, at room temperature
For the chocolate sauce or frosting:
- 8 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped or chocolate chips
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup whipping cream
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons light corn syrup
Instructions
For the peanut butter bread:
- Preheat oven to 350ºF (180°C). Grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan.
- Beat ⅓ cup butter until creamy. Add ½ cup sugar and ¼ cup light brown sugar, gradually beating for 3 minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy.
- Add 1 egg and beat for a minute. Add ¾ cup smooth peanut butter and ½ teaspoon vanilla. Mix well.
- Sift 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tablespoon baking powder and ½ teaspoon salt. You can sift them before in a separate bowl or have the ingredients measured and sift them directly over the butter mixture (my choice).
- Add them in 3 additions alternating with 1 cup milk in 2 additions. That means you begin and end with dry ingredients. Don't overbeat but mix *just* until it's all well incorporated and smooth.
- Pour into the prepared pan and bake for about 40 minutes or until a cake tester or toothpick comes out dry.
- Let cool on a wire rack before cutting and serving.
For the chocolate sauce or frosting:
- Put 8 ounces semisweet chocolate and ½ teaspoon vanilla extract in a bowl.
- Heat ½ cup whipping cream, ½ cup unsalted butter and 2 tablespoons light corn syrup over medium heat and bring it to a simmer.
- Add this hot mixture over the chocolate, wait 2 minutes and start mixing it with a whisk until it’s smooth and shiny.
- Let it thicken enough to spread on top of the bread if you use it as a chocolate frosting.
Notes
Chocolate chips: add a half cup of semisweet or milk chips to the batter and omit the sauce. Or not and add it for a double dose of chocolate.
Extra peanuts: add a half cup of chopped nuts to the batter or sprinkle them on top before baking. Pecans also work well.
Buckwheat flour: substitute ½ cup all-purpose flour for it. It adds an earthy, rustic tone to the bread.
Almond butter: substitute it for the peanut, same amount. It'll be amazing.
ela@GrayApron says
Wonderful recipe...and all this peanut butter. And it's not a cookie! I would love it with my cappuccino :))
laurasmess says
Yaaay, congrats on the sale of your house Paula! Woop! I love the nutty taste of buckwheat so I can imagine how well it'd compliment this gorgeous peanut butter bread. And that glossy chocolate sauce... I just want to eat through the screen! Hope that you manage to have some less busy downtime soon. Sounds like life has been really full but I am glad that things are running smoothly!! xx
JJ - 84thand3rd says
Oh now this sounds amazing! What a good pick for SRC!
Angie Schneider says
What an unique bread, Paula. With that generous amount of peanut butter, I am very sure this taste heavenly!
sprinklesandsauce says
Very original! Thanks for the post!
Miss Messy says
What a lovely combination 🙂 sounds delicious!
mividaenundulce says
Me encantan estos "panes rápidos", son súper fáciles de hacer y quedan muy bien. Lo bueno es que se pueden comer en cualquier momento y se congelan muy bien...!!!
The Ninja Baker says
Buckwheat noodles/soba is nothing new...But buckwheat pb bread? Oh, my this is a keeper recipe! And with your chocolate sauce and sliced bananas - stress of any sort will fade into oblivion =)
P.s. Congratulations on the sale of your house!
thelittleloaf says
YUM to peanut butter bread and I love that you serve it with chocolate sauce. Like a bread version of churros! Delish.
Karen Kerr says
So beautiful Paula. Good luck with your move and everything else keeping you crazy busy. You are amazing!
Sarah E. says
Yum - that chocolate sauce *drool*
I need to make the bread again with some kind of chocolate...that is a genius idea! 🙂 Happy reveal day!
withoutadornment says
Yum! This looks amazing and your photos are beautiful! I wish I could eat my screen!
Did the find that the buckwheat makes things a bit drier?
ahu says
Paula! This looks amazing!!! Congrats on selling your house and good luck moving 🙂
Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom says
Paula!
First of all, congrats on your house being sold! hooray! secondly, oh my gawd!!! This bread?!!! Peanut butter with chocolate sauce?!!! LOVE! and the photos. . omg. Dont mind me. I am licking my computer screen. I am absolutely trying this recipe!!
Baking Addict says
I chose peanut butter for my recipe too as I absolutely love it. You definitely can't go wrong with peanut butter and chocolate and your photos look soooo tempting! Happy SRC reveal day!
Melissa says
How have I never had peanut butter bread before?! I will absolutely be trying this recipe very soon! Thanks so much for sharing 🙂
Avril says
PB and chocolate....such a good pair! Beautifully delicious bread and sauce you made! 🙂
Guru Uru says
The bread itself is absolutely delicious but now, with the sauce, it is taking to a whole other level 😀
Pinning!
Cheers
CCU
unionjgirl says
Mmm, sounds delicious. And toastable is even better!
Megan @ Cooking Whims says
I'm pretty sure I could eat that entire loaf in one sitting. Yum!!