Description
This PB and Jelly Banana Bread recipe combines the classic flavors of peanut butter and jelly with moist banana bread for a delicious twist on a beloved comfort food. Swirled with creamy peanut butter and sweet grape jelly, this loaf is perfect for breakfast, snacks, or dessert. Topped with optional crunchy chopped peanuts, it offers a delightful texture contrast and irresistible flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 ripe bananas, mashed
PB&J Mixture
- ½ cup peanut butter, creamy or chunky
- ½ cup grape jelly (or your favorite flavor)
Optional Topping
- ¼ cup chopped peanuts
Instructions
- Prepare Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt to ensure even distribution of the leavening agent and seasoning.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, use a mixer to cream the softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, about 3 to 5 minutes, which helps create a tender crumb.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time to fully incorporate them, then stir in the vanilla extract for added flavor depth.
- Incorporate Bananas: Add the mashed ripe bananas to the wet mixture and mix until just combined, which adds natural sweetness and moisture.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing gently until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the bread tender.
- Prepare PB&J Swirl: In a small bowl, mix the peanut butter and jelly together until well combined to create a flavorful swirl mixture.
- Layer and Swirl: Pour half of the banana bread batter into a greased and floured 9×5 inch loaf pan, spreading it evenly. Spoon half of the peanut butter and jelly mixture over the batter and swirl it with a knife or skewer to create a marbled effect.
- Repeat Layers: Pour the remaining banana bread batter over the peanut butter and jelly layer and spread evenly. Spoon the remaining peanut butter and jelly mixture on top and swirl again for a beautiful pattern.
- Add Topping (Optional): Sprinkle chopped peanuts on top of the loaf for added crunch and nutty flavor.
- Bake: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the loaf for 50 to 60 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean, ensuring the bread is fully cooked.
- Cool: Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing to preserve the texture.
Notes
- Use ripe bananas for natural sweetness and moisture.
- Adjust peanut butter and jelly flavors based on preference; creamy or chunky peanut butter both work well.
- Check doneness with a skewer inserted in the center; it should come out clean.
- Optional chopped peanuts add delightful texture but can be omitted for a smoother top.
- Store the banana bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
