Peanut Butter Banana Quick Bread (Elvis Bread) – Recipe!

I used to eat peanut butter dolloped on my banana when I was a kid.  The combination was one of the best and I think Elvis Presley had a favorite sandwich with the same ingredients.  This Peanut Butter Banana Quick Bread has all the same flavors as an Elvis sandwich — all baked into one.

Creating a quick bread in a stand mixer or large bowl starts by combining the wet ingredients like peanut butter, bananas, eggs, oil, sugar and vanilla and then slowly adding the dry ingredients, until just combined.  The trick to a good quick bread is not to over mix because you don’t want to toughen the crumb — just keep it soft and supple.  One tip is to stop mixing after 30 seconds and combine the rest of the ingredients by hand — don’t miss out on those little dry bits that stick to the bottom and sides of the bowl.

I drizzled a little peanut butter over the top before baking to enhance that nutty flavor and to give it a pretty look.  You can slice and serve this for any occasion — breakfast, snacktime or dessert.  I don’t really think you need a reason to indulge.

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Ingredients

1 1/2 cups bananas, about 2 large

3/4 cup chunky or creamy peanut butter + 3 tablespoons for top

1/2 cup light brown sugar

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/2 neutral oil, I used avocado

2 large eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 3/4 cups all-purposed flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

(Makes 1 Loaf)

To Prepare:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Spray 9 x 5 inch loaf pan with baking spray or oil, set aside.
2. In a stand mixer or large bowl, add bananas, 3/4 cup peanut butter, sugars, oil, eggs and vanilla.  Mix on medium-high speed for 3 minutes.
3. Add flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.  Mix on low for 30 seconds and remove bowl.  Mix by hand to incorporated any dry bits into batter.
4. Pour into prepared pan and drizzle top with remaining peanut butter that has been melted in the microwave for 30 seconds.
5. Bake for 60 minutes until deep golden brown.  Remove and cool for 15 minutes before loosening around edges with a knife and inverting onto a rack to cool completely.
6. Slice and serve.  Enjoy!