How to Make Peanut Butter Bread Recipe

This recipe for peanut butter bread is a unique and delicious way to make a quick bread.  It's a Depression era recipe that came to be because ingredients were hard to find.  It's made a come back due to current events and the fact that it's so good!

How to Make Peanut Butter Bread

My grandmother was about 10-years-old when the Great Depression started, so she spent the second half of her childhood growing up in that time period.

When she passed in her 80s, she still had habits that related directly to growing up in that time.  She used a lot of Depression era recipes for cooking, even though she didn't have to at that point.

I have several of her recipes, and no matter if they were Depression era or from later in life, they are all amazing.  This peanut butter bread 1932 recipe was a favorite recipe.

Growing up, I had no idea that putting peanut butter in bread was due to the fact that ingredients were hard to find and many families couldn't afford much food.

We just knew that it was a delicious quick bread!

For more bread and muffin recipes, check out these posts:

• Fruity Pebbles Bread
• Easy Apple Bread From Cake Mix
• Spice Cake Mix Pumpkin Muffins
• Cake Mix Pumpkin Bread Recipe
• Healthy Chocolate Zucchini Muffins
• Beer Bread Recipe
• One Bowl Banana Bread
• Chocolate Zucchini Bread
• Zucchini Bread With Applesauce
• Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread

Why Was Peanut Butter Bread Invented?

This peanut butter bread recipe was invented because many families couldn't get fresh ingredients during the Great Depression.

Families were usually able to get flour, baking powder, salt, and peanut butter.  These ingredients were also inexpensive so most families could afford them.

Where Did Peanut Butter Bread Come From?  

This recipe for peanut butter bread comes from Lizzie Black.  She published the recipe in the Settlement Cookbook, which was a 1901 cookbook made to raise money for the Milwaukee Settlement House.

The cookbook was a sort of how to book for American homemakers.  It's included recipes, how to set a table, how to polish silver, how to store food, and other homemaking skills.  

The cookbook became very popular, and it's been updated with more than 40 editions.  Hence,  this peanut butter quick bread has been made by thousands of families.

Is Peanut Butter Bread Healthy?

I wouldn't call this easy peanut butter bread healthy.  It has sugar and white flour in it, although it has less sugar than other quick breads.

I did use all purpose flour.  You can also substitute up to half of the flour with ground oatmeal for a healthier peanut butter bread recipe.

How Do You Make Peanut Butter Bread Without Eggs?

One reason this peanut butter bread 1932 was so popular is because it doesn't need eggs.  Unless you had chickens, you probably couldn't get eggs.

Although nut butters aren't the best substitute for eggs, they do make a suitable substitute for eggs in this peanut butter quick bread.

Can You Replace Butter With Peanut Butter in Baking?

Peanut butter is also a substitute for butter or oil in baking recipes.  Oil and butter make baked goods moist and fluffy.

Since butter and oil were hard to come by, using peanut butter in bread was a great substitute.

What Goes Good With a Peanut Butter Bread Recipe?

I like to eat this easy peanut butter bread plain, but it's delicious with toppings too.  Try one of the following:

• Top with real butter.  Learn how to make butter from cream with a Kitchenaid mixer.
• Apples and peanut butter taste great together.  Try topping it with apple butter with cinnamon red hots or Crock Pot apple butter recipe. 
• Pumpkin and peanut butter may sound strange, but it's really good!  Try using this easy pumpkin butter recipe or Instant Pot pumpkin butter.
• Top with jelly.  Try a low sugar apple jelly, spiced apple cider jelly recipe, homemade grape jelly from grape juice, or Instant Pot strawberry jam.
• Drizzle raw honey on top of the peanut butter quick bread.
• If you really like peanut butter, spread some peanut butter on top.
• Spread Nutella on top.
• Whipped cream cheese is also good on this peanut butter bread recipe.
• Smash bananas for a quick spread.

Peanut Butter Bread Recipe Variations

This easy peanut butter bread is delicious is, but you can also try one of the following variations:

• Try adding a cup of chocolate chips or peanut butter chips.
• Add a cup of walnuts, peanuts, or other nuts.
• For chocolate peanut butter bread recipe, try adding 1/4 cup cocoa powder with the dry ingredients.
• Add 1/2 to 2/3 cups of dried fruit.  Try dried bananas, coconut, or strawberries.

How Do You Make Peanut Butter Banana Bread?

Instead of using 1 1/2 cups peanut butter, use 1 cup of mashed bananas and 1/2 cup peanut butter for this peanut butter bread recipe.

How to Store Peanut Butter Quick Bread

You can store leftover peanut butter bread 1932 on the counter in an airtight container for up to four days.

You can also freeze it for up to three months.  I wrap in plastic wrap and place in a freezer bag (I like these reusable freezer bags).  

When you want to enjoy your easy peanut butter bread, remove from the freezer and place in the fridge overnight to thaw.

Peanut Butter Bread Recipe Ingredients

To learn how to make peanut butter bread, you will need:

• 2 cups all purpose flour
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 4 teaspoons baking powder
• Pinch of salt
• 1 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
• 1 1/3 cup milk

How Do You Make Bread Out of Peanut Butter?

Step #1

Preheat oven to 330 degrees Fahrenheit.

Step #2

Spray a loaf pan with non stick spray or line with natural parchment paper. 

Step #3

Combine flour, baking powder, and salt in a mixing bowl.  Stir to combine.

Step #4

Add peanut butter and milk.  Mix well.

Step #5

Pour the batter into the prepared pan.  Bake for one hour.  Test for doneness with a toothpick.  The bread is done when the toothpick comes out clean.  

Let the easy peanut butter bread cool in the pan for 15 minutes.  The remove the bread from the pan and let cool on a cooling rack.

Now you know how to make peanut butter bread.  Enjoy!

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