Bananas are the sore losers of the fruit bowl in our house. Last ones picked for the team, they wither away on the table, begging for affection that is now denied. There was a time in my 5-year-old’s life when he would couldn’t stop eating bananas, gobbling 3 a day and asking for more. That seems like eons ago.
On the plus side, I never did get to bake with bananas before–they would be devoured before I could get my recipe selected and prepped. Now I have all the bananas I want to bake with. The scales are tipping the other way!
Bananas are one of those things that I like in theory, but the texture gets me. Especially when they’re really ripe. Much more appreciated pureed in a smoothie or added to some muffins, they don’t get much love from me otherwise. I can’t help it–I gag. It’s such a shame–so many lost opportunities. So many more leg cramps without them.
It’s been a long time since I’ve made banana bread. There are oodles of recipes out there to choose from, all claiming to be the best. Because of this, I rarely make the same recipe twice! Usually I go for something with cinnamon and nuts–the epitome of banana bread. This time I wanted something different. Spunky. Bold. Insists that you stand tall and pay attention to it. What I needed was peanut butter.
This bread is wheaty, yes. It’s my attempt to mitigate the damage from chocolate and peanut butter chips. Because of this, I think it actually tastes better fully cooled. But I’ll leave that up to you. The aroma is difficult to resist–I won’t blame you if you can’t wait. You may want to wrap up half the loaf right away and stash it in the freezer. It’s pretty easy to eat your way through the whole loaf in no time and not even realize it. Even if you do, I won’t tell. It has bananas and peanut butter–it’s healthy, right?
- 1¾ cups whole wheat pastry flour
- ¾ teaspoon baking soda
- 1¼ teaspoons cream of tartar
- ½ teaspoon Himalayan pink salt (or sea salt)
- ⅓ cup buttermilk
- ⅓ cup creamy peanut butter
- ⅔ cup raw (turbinado) sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 3 medium bananas, very ripe, mashed
- 11 oz package milk chocolate & peanut butter chips, divided
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease a 9×5 loaf pan and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- In another large mixing bowl, beat together the buttermilk and peanut butter with a hand mixer. Once smooth, add the sugar and eggs, beating until incorporated.
- Alternate adding the flour mix and bananas, ending with the bananas, mixing between each addition until incorporated.
- Stir in 1½ cups of the chocolate and peanut butter chips.
- Spread into prepared loaf pan and sprinkle the remaining chips over the top.
- Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean. You may need to tent the pan with foil for the last 5 minutes to make sure the crust doesn’t burn.
- Cool for 15 minutes in the pan before turning out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
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5 comments
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Ashley Bee (Quarter Life Crisis Cuisine)
4 January, 2013 at 12:27 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
All the best flavors in one place, I love it! Peanutbutter and banana are good on their own, adding chocolate takes it to a whole new level. Awesome
Ashley Bee (Quarter Life Crisis Cuisine) recently posted..Reflections in Photos
Jayne
5 January, 2013 at 7:46 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
OMG! This bread looks too good, going to give the recipes to one of sons who love peanut butter and chocolate and LOVES to bake. Thank you!
Jayne recently posted..Resolution or Challenge for 2013?
Ashley @ Wishes and Dishes
5 January, 2013 at 12:03 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Bananas are my favorite fruit! And I’m obsessed with peanut butter so this bread is right up my alley
Ashley @ Wishes and Dishes recently posted..Banana Pancakes + Our New Year’s Eve Party
Carrie @ poet in the pantry
5 January, 2013 at 1:29 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Definitely a new favorite in our house. Thanks for stopping by!
The Farmers Wife
5 January, 2013 at 10:59 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
This looks crazy good!!! My whole family would go nuts over this, I will be bookmarking and making asap! Thanks for sharing!
The Farmers Wife recently posted..2013 Update and Cheesy Cream Chicken