Join us on an educational adventure through each state in the USA! Each post in this series focuses on one state, and includes a regional recipe from that state. This is a fun way to get your kids involved in cooking, as well as learn a bit about United States geography! The post also includes a link to the featured state’s website, where you can learn more about the state. We also include free forms that you can download and print to use along the journey. Geography has never been so delicious!

Make sure to check back each week for the next post!

Did you know that Georgia grows more peanuts than any other state? Yep! Georgia’s peanut production is ranked number one in the nation: 1,863,000,000 pounds with a farm value of over $345,000,000!

This recipe takes advantage of the delicious peanuts from Georgia! The recipe makes 1 loaf of bread. It’s an easy recipe that is fun to make, and one that kids really enjoy!

GEORGIA Peanutty Peanut Butter and Banana Bread

What You Will Need:

• Vegetable Oil Cooking Spray


• 2 cups All-Purpose Flour


• 1 teaspoon Baking Soda


• 1/2 teaspoon Salt


• 1/2 cup Shortening


• 1 cup Smooth Peanut Butter (your favorite brand)


• 2/3 cup Light Brown Sugar


• 2 large Eggs


• 2 Ripe Bananas


• 1 teaspoon Lemon Juice


• 1/2 cup Crushed Dry-Roasted Unsalted Peanuts


• 1 teaspoon Vanilla


• 9″ x 5″ x 3″ Loaf Pan


• 2 Medium Bowls


• Wooden Spoon


• Small Bowl


• Fork

What You Do:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.


• Spray bread loaf pan with vegetable oil cooking spray, then set aside.


• Use a medium bowl to mix together the flour, baking soda, and salt.


• In a separate medium bowl, beat the shortening, peanut butter, and brown sugar together with a wooden spoon. Stir until mixture is smooth and creamy (about 2 minutes – have your kids take turns).


• Add the eggs to the peanut butter mixture and continue beating until well blended.


• In a small bowl, mash the bananas with a fork until smooth (kids love this part!) Mix in the lemon juice. Set mixture aside.


• Stir the flour mixture into the peanut butter mixture just until moistened.


• Add bananas and vanilla to the mixture and fold in the peanuts.


• Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan.


• Bake for 1 hour and 10 minutes or until the center springs back when lightly touched.


• Cool the bread for 20 minutes on a wire rack before removing from pan.


• When bread is cool, it’s time to eat!

Georgia State Information – Click this link to learn more about Georgia attractions, activities, and to request free brochures, maps, and so much more! This website has a nice Kid’s Corner, too!

US Geography Journal Pages – Use these journal pages to create a geography journal as you collect information about each state.

Georgia Outline Map – Use this state map to label capitals, major rivers and lakes, and other areas of interest. Draw a star on the place you would most like to visit in this state!

United States Outline Map – Use this USA map to track your journey as you “eat your way across the USA”! Color in each state that you’ve tried one of recipes for.

• The United States Cook Book – Take a Tasty Tour of America’s 50 States, and learn a lot of United States geography along the way! (PLEASE NOTE: The recipe featured above was taken from this book.)


• US History Cook Book – Serve up a heaping lesson of history with delicious recipes from our nation’s past… from the pilgrims’ first feast to today’s high-tech, low-fat fare.


• Maps of the United States – This reproducible book contains geopolitical maps of each of the fifty states; political maps of the six regions; and political, physical, and thematic maps of the United States. You’ll also find fun facts, geography bee-type questions, and review pages.


• DK State-by-State Atlas – More than an atlas, this book shows and tells young geographers who, what, when, where, and why.


• The Geography Book – From finding directions by the stars, to mapping your neighborhood, to making an earthquake in a box, you’ll have a great time learning about the world with The Geography Book.


• Professor Noggins USA Geography Game – From rural farming communities to urban cities, from snow-capped mountains to tropical islands, this game covers both the natural and political geography of the United States. Learn about the states, cities, and natural geographical wonders that make this country such an interesting place to visit.


• State by State Card Game – Learning about United States geography is made fun and memorable with this unique deck of cards!


• GeoPuzzle USA Puzzle – GeoPuzzles provide a hands-on approach to learning geography.

Make sure to check back next week for the next state in this series!

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