Of course! Here is a complete, detailed recipe and guide for Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Banana Bread, crafted to satisfy every curiosity and sweet tooth.
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Introduction
This isn’t your grandmother’s banana bread. This is a decadent, moist, and irresistibly fun twist on a classic, where the beloved flavors of a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup meld with the comforting sweetness of ripe banana. Perfect for bake sales, holiday gatherings, or a weekend treat, this bread promises a surprise of chocolate and peanut butter in every single bite.
A Brief History & The “Why”
Banana bread itself rose to prominence during the Great Depression as a practical way to use overripe bananas. The addition of candy, particularly peanut butter cups, is a modern indulgence that speaks to our love for flavor fusion. The benefits of this recipe are pure joy and crowd-pleasing power. It transforms simple ingredients into a celebratory dessert-bread hybrid that’s a guaranteed hit with both kids and adults (“lovers” of sweet treats).
The Formation & Key Methods
The method is the classic “muffin method” for quick breads: mixing dry and wet ingredients separately before combining. The critical technique here is coating 22 of the mini cups in flour. This prevents them from sinking to the bottom during baking, ensuring even distribution throughout the loaf. The remaining cups are pressed on top for a gorgeous, gooey, picture-perfect finish.
Nutrition Note
Let’s be honest: this is a decadent dessert bread. While bananas provide potassium and using real ingredients is always preferable to processed snacks, this is a treat to be enjoyed in moderation. It’s rich in happiness, if not in fiber.
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The Grand Recipe: Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Banana Bread
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients:
· 2½ cups (312g) all-purpose flour
· 1 teaspoon baking soda
· 1 teaspoon baking powder
· ½ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients:
· ½ cup (1 stick / 113g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
· ¾ cup (150g) granulated sugar
· ½ cup (100g) packed light brown sugar
· 2 large eggs, room temperature
· 1 cup (about 3 medium) mashed ripe bananas
· ⅓ cup (80ml) milk (whole or buttermilk preferred)
· 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
· ½ cup (125g) creamy peanut butter
Star of the Show:
· 28 mini Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, unwrapped and divided:
· 22 cups, each quartered and tossed in 1 tablespoon of flour (from the measured dry ingredients).
· 6 whole cups for the top.
Instructions
1. Prep & Preheat:
· Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Generously grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan and line it with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
· In a medium bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients: flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
· In a small bowl, quarter 22 of the mini Reese’s cups. Add the 1 tablespoon of flour (scooped from your dry ingredients) and toss gently until all pieces are coated. This is your sink-proof secret!
2. Cream the Foundations:
· In a large mixing bowl, using a hand mixer or stand mixer, cream the softened butter with both granulated and brown sugars on medium-high speed for 2-3 minutes, until light and fluffy.
3. Combine Wet Ingredients:
· Beat in the eggs, one at a time, until fully incorporated.
· Mix in the mashed bananas, milk, vanilla extract, and peanut butter until the mixture is smooth (it may look slightly curdled—that’s okay).
4. Bring It All Together:
· With the mixer on low speed, gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients. Mix just until combined—do not overmix. A few streaks of flour are fine.
· Using a spatula, gently fold in the flour-coated Reese’s cup pieces until evenly distributed.
5. Bake to Perfection:
· Pour the thick batter into your prepared loaf pan and smooth the top.
· Press the 6 remaining whole mini Reese’s cups into the top of the batter in two rows of three.
· Bake for 60-75 minutes, or until a long toothpick or skewer inserted into the center (avoiding a melted cup) comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.
· Crucial: If the top is browning too quickly, tent it loosely with aluminum foil about halfway through baking.
6. Cool & Serve:
· Place the pan on a wire rack and let the bread cool for at least 1 hour before removing it from the pan using the parchment paper handles.
· Allow it to cool completely on the rack before slicing with a sharp, serrated knife. This patience ensures clean slices and perfect texture.
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Conclusion & For the True Lovers
This Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Banana Bread is the ultimate crossroad of nostalgia and indulgence. It’s a conversation starter, a gift that feels personal, and a treat that makes any moment special.
For the Ultimate Lovers: Take it to the next level by serving a warm slice with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of warm peanut butter sauce. Or, for a breakfast-worthy twist, spread a slice with a little extra peanut butter.
Whether you’re a baker looking to impress or simply a lover of the iconic peanut butter-chocolate-banana trifecta, this recipe is your new secret weapon for deliciousness. Enjoy the magic that happens when a classic treat meets an American candy icon.