This Peanut Butter Bread from the depression era is so easy to make yet is so tasty. With the perfect balance of nutty and sweet.
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Depression recipes are know as easy recipes that contain simple, cheap, and shelf staple ingredients ones that would have been accessible to the average American during that time. Since the great depression recipes are all meant to be very simple, they are very easy and use minimal ingredients like this Peanut Butter Bread.
For recipes from the depression era that helped people to make it through, check out Taste of Home.
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What We Love About This recipes from the Depression Era
- Easy Ingredients: You will need a total of 6 ingredients. No eggs needed for these quick breads.
- Family Friendly: Your family will love this rich and decadent peanut butter bread recipe.
- Adaptable: Make this recipe with any other type of nut butter, such as cashew butter or almond butter.
Ingredient Notes for Quick Bread Recipe
- Peanut Butter: You can use any type peanut butter you’d like, if using pure natural peanut butter it will be runnier.
- Flour: It is important to use all purpose flour.
- Sugar: You will need granulated sugar or pure cane sugar.
- Salt: To activate the baking powder and to get the bread to rise properly.
- Baking Powder: It is important to use baking powder, not baking soda. Baking powder helps to aid baked goods in rising to get a fluffy texture.
- Whole Milk: Any type of milk will work, even a non-dairy milk such as almond milk work.
Equipment Needed for this Depression Era Recipe
- Large Bowl
- Measuring Cup
- Electric Mixer
- Whisk
- Rubber Spatula
- Loaf Pan
- Parchment Paper
How to Make Peanut Butter Bread
These are the basic steps for making Depression Era Peanut Butter Bread. Please refer to the recipe card below for more detailed instructions.
STEP 1: MAKE THE BATTER
In a large mixing combine dry ingredients, flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt, mix until fully combined. Then add milk and peanut butter, stir to combine.
STEP 2: ADD TO LOAF PAN
Line a loaf pan with parchment paper then pour in batter. Use rubber spatula to scrap the sides of the bowl.
STEP 3: BAKE PEANUT BUTTER BREAD
Bake peanut butter bread for an hour at 330 degrees f. Use a toothpick to check if it is done, if it comes out clean it is ready, if not you can let it cook in the oven for 15 more minutes. Remove to oven and allow to cool in the pan for 15 minutes, take out of pan and left cool for an additional 15 minutes for before slicing.
Prep and Storage Tips for this Peanut Butter Bread Recipe
HOW TO MAKE THIS RECIPE AHEAD OF TIME
This recipe is perfect to make ahead of time, just bake as usual 1-2 days if time, store covered with plastic wrap or in an airtight container.
HOW TO STORE THIS RECIPE
Store in an airtight container with a paper towel at the bottom to absorb excess moisture. Peanut butter bread will be good for 3-4 days. You can store in the fridge or room temperature.
HOW TO FREEZE THIS RECIPE
To freeze peanut butter bread, you can store as slices or as the whole loaf, wrap in aluminum foil and store in a freezer bag.
Frequently Asked Questions about this 1930’s Recipe
The reason that this bread needs to bake a low temperature for a longer time is to ensure that the peanut butter bread will rise throughly.
This recipe can be made vegan will one simple swap, just use a non-dairy milk.
This recipe can easily be doubled or halved, increase or decrease ingredients proportionally and either split between pans or cook a small loaf pan.
Peanut butter bread has a similar texture to banana bread with a peanut butter flavor.
Expert Tips for Making This Recipe Peanut Butter Bread
- This Recipe Can be Doubled: To double this depression era recipe, increase ingredients proportionally and split between 2 loaf pans.
- Chocolate Chips: For a decadent addition, add chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, or white chocolate chips.
- Icing: You would like you could make a peanut butter or chocolate icing to top off this peanut butter bread.
- Jelly Swirl: Use a jelly or jam to swirl on the top of the batter before baking, raspberry or strawberry would be best for a pb&j bread!
What to Serve with Peanut Butter Bread
- Fresh Jam
- Nutella
- Chocolate Whip Cream Frosting
- Marshmallow Fruit Dip
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Depression Era Peanut Butter Bread
Ingredients
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 4 teaspoons baking powder
- Pinch of salt
- 1 ½ cups creamy peanut butter
- 1 ⅓ cups milk
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 330 degrees.
- Line a bread pan with parchment paper.
- Combine flour, sugar, baking powder and salt in a mixing bowl.
- Stir to combine.
- Add peanut butter and milk.
- Mix well.
- Pour the batter into the prepared bread pan and bake.
- After one hour poke the center of the bread with a toothpick to test for doneness.
- If the toothpick comes out clean, the bread is ready.
- If it has batter or crumbs clinging to it, allow the bread to bake for an additional 15 minutes.
- Allow the bread to cool in the pan for 15 minutes.
- Pop the bread out of the pan and allow to cool for an additional 15 minutes before slicing.
Expert Tips
- This Recipe Can be Doubled: To double this depression era recipe, increase ingredients proportionally and split between 2 loaf pans.
- Chocolate Chips: For a decadent addition, add chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, or white chocolate chips.
- Icing: You would like you could make a peanut butter or chocolate icing to top off this peanut butter bread.
- Jelly Swirl: Use a jelly or jam to swirl on the top of the batter before baking, raspberry or strawberry would be best!
can this be made in a bread machine?
Saw this on tiktok it is surprisingly good