There is something mighty comforting about a simple loaf stirred together from pantry staples, the kind of thrifty baking that carried families through lean times and still earns its place on a modern kitchen table. This old-fashioned quick bread comes from that practical tradition, making a hearty, close-crumbed slice without yeast, eggs, or butter, and it is just the sort of no-fuss recipe a nana would keep tucked in her apron pocket for evenings when money was tight but folks still wanted something warm and filling with supper and another slice waiting by morning.
Serve thick slices warm with a little butter, honey, or jam, or set it alongside coffee for breakfast the next day. It also fits right in with a bowl of chili, vegetable soup, or bean soup, where its rich peanut flavor and sturdy crumb make it especially satisfying on a cold evening.
4-Ingredient Depression-Era Peanut Butter Bread
Servings: 8 slices
Ingredients
2 cups self-rising flour
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup creamy peanut butter
1 1/2 cups milk
Directions
1. Heat the oven to 350°F and lightly grease a standard dark metal loaf pan.
2. In a large mixing bowl, stir together the self-rising flour and sugar until evenly combined.
3. Add the peanut butter and milk, then stir just until the flour disappears and a thick batter forms. Do not overmix, or the loaf can turn tough.
4. Spread the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top as best you can.
5. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes, until the loaf is domed and golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. If the middle still seems gummy, give it a few more minutes and test again.
6. Let the loaf cool in the pan before slicing. Expect a dense, hearty crumb rather than a light sandwich bread.
Variations & Tips
If you do not have self-rising flour: Use plain flour with baking powder added so the loaf will still rise properly. That little bit of pantry know-how is the sort of trick home cooks relied on when the cupboard looked bare.
For the best texture: Stir only until the flour disappears. This batter is not one to fuss over, and too much mixing can make the loaf heavy in all the wrong ways instead of pleasantly dense.
To check doneness: Because the center can stay gummy, test with a toothpick right in the middle of the loaf, not just near the edge. If it comes out with wet batter, return the pan to the oven for a few more minutes.
Serving idea: This bread is especially good toasted the next morning, with butter, honey, or a spoonful of jam. It also makes a fine companion to a simple pot of soup on a chilly day.