PB & J Banana Bread

PB & J Banana Bread

You may have noticed (or not, it’s cool) that I haven’t posted that many banana bread recipes on this site. Ready for my shameful secret? Please don’t hate me.

Cue stage whisper: I’m not that into banana.

Don’t go screaming now. I can’t handle that. It’s not that I hate it or anything, but in the world of baked goods, anything with banana ranks low. So take it as a sign of how much I love you all that from time to time, I produce a banana-based dessert. That is some selflessness. Of course, I did add a wee bit of peanut butter (and peanut butter chips, too) to make this more of a Mir-style dessert. And there’s strawberry jelly in there. You know, because this is totally healthy. Uh huh.

PB & J Banana Bread

This is my first day back on the job, and I’m excited about another school year. Every year, I meet tons of really cool kids and learn even more about how to be the best possible teacher. The only part I’m not excited about is grading papers.

If you have any friends who are teachers, they’ll pretty much agree that the job is rewarding and fun, except the grading. During a typical week, I’m bringing home about 200 essays or short stories to grade, and that’s when things are running about average. On a heavy week, it gets a lot worse. I’ve been known to grade papers in traffic jams, in grocery store lines, and yes, on exam tables in the doctor’s office when he’s making me wait for 45 minutes in a giant paper towel that the medical industry has the audacity to call a “gown.”

PB & J Banana Bread

While I’d love to keep complaining about grading papers, that’s a lot more boring than complaining about those paper gowns. Has anyone worn them? Seriously, they’re not big enough to cover squat. Nothing is worse than desperately trying to cover your rear end while the gown tears in 17 different places. So if you’re tired of shivering away in a giant paper mat while all of your body parts pop out into the wind, join me in a protest. Seriously. Let’s organize and get rid of those pieces of crap.

PB & J Banana Bread

Can you tell I get really annoyed about really little things? But you know, it’s the little things that sometimes resonate the most. The big stuff is much easier to pay attention to, while life’s little irritants just kind of pile up unnoticed until you kind of explode. Or that’s how I feel.

I’ve said it before, but it’s a dang good thing that I have baking to distract me from the paper gowns and paper grading. Oooh, both paper. I sense a trend!

PB & J Banana Bread

This banana bread is in a pretty happy place, and that’s from a person who feels very meh about bananas. The batter is free of butter. Instead, peanut butter and canola oil do that job quite nicely, and in a much healthier way. Anyone who has ever had bananas and peanut butter must realize how well this combo works. Add the peanut butter chips in there along with a strawberry jelly swirl, and even I’m a banana bread convert.

PB & J Banana Bread

Tomorrow I’m back to the grind, and I need a healthier dessert to get me through. This is a good way to start! I’m not sure if a good dessert will ever fully distract me from the humiliation of a paper gown or the piles of grading, but there’s only so much we can do. Unless you’re with me on that petition. Let me know, people!

 

PB & J Banana Bread

Ingredients

1 egg
1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
2 tablespoons creamy peanut butter (I used Jif Natural)
1/4 cup canola oil
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup sour cream (I used light)
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 and 1/4 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
mashed ripe bananas (2 big or 3 small)
1/2 cup peanut butter chips
1/3 cup strawberry jelly

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350. Coat a loaf pan with cooking spray. Set aside.
  2. In a medium-sized bowl, combine the egg, both sugars, peanut butter, oil, sour cream and vanilla, mixing until smooth.
  3. In a smaller bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Combine with the peanut butter mixture until just incorporated.
  4. Stir in the mashed banana, mixing until a smooth batter forms. Fold in the peanut butter chips.
  5. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Drop the jelly by spoonfuls on top of the batter and use a knife to swirl it in.
  6. Bake for 40-45 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  7. Cool and cut into slices.
http://justaboutbaked.com/pb-j-banana-bread/

 

 

Mir

I fulfill many roles in life: wife, mother, teacher, everlasting learner. This site is dedicated to one role that expresses my creativity in ways that I find consistently challenging and rewarding: baker. Inventing new ways to enhance food, especially if that food involves chocolate or peanut butter (or both!), is a passion of mine. I look forward to sharing my ideas with you.

This Post Has 34 Comments

  1. Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice

    Good luck on your first day back, Mir! I’m sure it will be nice to get into a routine again. And I definitely don’t envy the grading papers part! But luckily you have lots of this pb&j bread to keep you company. Sounds delicious! I love the pb in here (of course) but I also love the strawberry jelly, too. Sounds delish!
    Gayle @ Pumpkin ‘N Spice recently posted…Cheesy Guacamole ToastMy Profile

    1. Mir

      I actually love the routine, so it’s feeling good! And I’m glad that the PB & J will keep me company!

  2. Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom

    Mir, this school year is going to be great! love the positive attitude and yes, all my other teacher friends say the same thing about grading. . !! Dude, I am completely into bananas. . especially since I’ve been running (helps with the cramps, or so you don’t get leg cramps) and I am still highly addicted to almond butter + banana! ok, I freaking love this PB&J banana bread!! looks so good!!! Hope to see more banana bread here!!! 🙂
    Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom recently posted…Eggplant Mapo TofuMy Profile

    1. Mir

      It’s totally gonna be a great year. And leg cramps? Really? I never knew that! Because, like, digestively, bananas have never been super nice to me. But I’m glad they work for you!

  3. annie@ciaochowbambina

    So I’m also a fan of bananas (like coffee) :)…which means these recipes you’re rolling out are making me very happy! One of my favorite breakfasts is peanut butter toast with sliced bananas. But this bread – oh man – I would chow down on this. And I am with you on the paper gowns – get that petition going – I’m in! Good luck with your first day!

    1. Mir

      Oh man, I love peanut butter toast. Not with bananas, but still. It’s so good. Join the fight against those gowns, Annie!

  4. Kate @ Framed Cooks

    My daughter is starting her first year as a third grade teacher so I am hearing ALL about the grading! I think I might need to make her some of this banana bread to keep her going! 🙂
    Kate @ Framed Cooks recently posted…Chicken Salad with Goat Cheese DressingMy Profile

    1. Mir

      Good luck to your daughter! The first year is the hardest, so be ready to hear lots of venting. She’ll need lots of TLC!

  5. Sues

    This is the perfect way to start the day! Good luck with your new school year!! 🙂
    Sues recently posted…Tropical Acai BowlsMy Profile

    1. Mir

      Thanks, Sues! I’m excited to get going!

  6. Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary

    Now I understand, and I forgive you for your lack of banana recipes up on this blog. Mostly because I seriously adore you, but also because this PB& J Bread is everything! I mean peanut butter, peanut butter chips AND strawberry jelly In carb-tastic, delicious, slice and stuff your face form? Yeah. FORGIVEN! Pinned!

    On a side note, I totally feel you about hospital or medical “gowns”… gown my arse. More like feel the wind on your butt cheeks, and look like a fool, piece of paper trying to disguise itself as a gown. Count me in on trying to ban those ridiculous things! #JustSayNo 🙂 Cheers girlie- to making grading papers bearable with delicious bread consumption!
    Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary recently posted…Honey Glazed & Grilled Fig Salad {with Arugula, Quinoa, Prosciutto & Raspberry-Orange Vinaigrette}My Profile

    1. Mir

      Thanks for the forgiveness, Cheyanne. I feel the love, girl. Anything with more cabs and more fun! And those gowns. Hell yeah, just say no! Are they built for a size double-zero woman, or even worse, a 10 year-old girl? Ick and more ick!

  7. Jen | Baked by an Introvert

    Good luck on your first day back at school! This bread is the perfect way to gear up for a full day of students.
    Jen | Baked by an Introvert recently posted…Roasted Banana Yogurt BreadMy Profile

    1. Mir

      It is. I need all that energy now!

  8. Mira

    Good luck this school year Mir! Grading definitely doesn’t sound exciting! This bread looks delicious! Love that you used some pb and chips, too!
    Mira recently posted…Last Days Of Summer And New Favorite Healthy SnackMy Profile

    1. Mir

      Nope, but it’s gotta happen. Thanks, Mira!

  9. Medha @ Whisk & Shout

    PB makes everything better! And I love banana, but I don’t love desserts that are JUST banana- like plain banana bread or banana cream pie- I need something like chocolate or peanut butter to temper the fruity sweetness 🙂
    Medha @ Whisk & Shout recently posted…{Vegan + GF} Maple Cheesecake with Caramel Sauce!My Profile

    1. Mir

      I’m with you on that, Mira. Something to add more dimension to the banana!

  10. Sina @ Vegan Heaven

    This looks so good, Mir! 🙂 I love banana bread!
    Sina @ Vegan Heaven recently posted…Mini Matcha CheesecakesMy Profile

    1. Mir

      Thanks, Sina! I like it when there’s PB involved!

  11. Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy

    Good luck with your first day back 🙂

    I actually know a lot of people that don’t like banana, but do like banana. I think it is kind of like the people that don’t like tomatoes, but love ketchup haha.
    Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy recently posted…Comment on The Ultimate Breakfast Grilled Cheese Sandwich by DanniiMy Profile

    1. Mir

      Those people are definitely out there, Dannii! 🙂

  12. Manali @ CookWithManali

    I actually love baking with banana but yeah if you put it up against chocolate and peanut butter then there’s no competition! Chocolate & PB always win 😉 Good luck with your 1st day Mir, hope you have a great day! The bread looks delish!
    Manali @ CookWithManali recently posted…No Bake Protein BallsMy Profile

    1. Mir

      There’s no competition at all for PB & J, Manali. You’re so right!

  13. Danielle

    Hope your first day back at school went well, Mir. I love that you lightened this bread up a bit, sometimes all the extra sugar is just not necessary. The pb&j twist is such a fun idea too!
    Danielle recently posted…Coconut Pineapple PopsiclesMy Profile

    1. Mir

      It’s amazing how much you can cut butter (or cut it out entirely) and still have a great treat!

  14. Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust

    What’s worse than the paper gowns? The paper blanket that rips and shreds as you try to cover yourself. Also: those are made for tiny people. I’m not tiny! 🙂 This bread, swooning!
    Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust recently posted…Caramel Apple Pie Magic BarsMy Profile

    1. Mir

      Oh, noooo. Not the paper blanket. I cannot. I’m petite, but none of that stuff fits me, either! Such humiliation, always…

  15. Rachelle @ Beer Girl Cooks

    Dude. I 100% support the ban the paper gown movement. Sign me up and girl, whatever you do, don’t bend over while wearing that thing. What’s the point, really? One would have more dignity if she were naked. Anyway, this banana bread sounds delicious with strawberry jelly and pb chips! Yes!
    P.S. Bummer about all the paper grading!
    Rachelle @ Beer Girl Cooks recently posted…Blueberry Mousse ShootersMy Profile

    1. Mir

      So true. Better to have nothing than that cheap piece of awfulness! Yeah, grading is a bummer, but it’s a necessary evil. All jobs have those, I hear!

  16. Harriet Emily

    Good luck back at school Mir, this cake will definitely help get your year off to a great start! Love the pb, j and banana combo, they’re three of my favourite things all rolled into one! Delicious 😀
    Harriet Emily recently posted…CHERRY ALMOND ICE CREAMMy Profile

    1. Mir

      Thanks, Harriet Emily! I need to get off to a good start. I’m already exhausted!

  17. Michele @ Two Raspberries

    this looks SO moist! I adore breads and PB&J is on of my favorites! plus I love that you added pb chips in here too! thats sounds delicious!
    Michele @ Two Raspberries recently posted…Easy One Pot Pasta Veggie Dish – Vegan – Gluten FreeMy Profile

    1. Mir

      Thanks, Michele! It’s got great texture.

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