(aka: the comfort food that pairs perfectly with fictional heartbreak)
There’s nothing better than a quiet reading day — especially when it involves a rainy window, a stack of books with morally gray love interests, and something warm baking in the oven.
I don’t know about you, but I’ve developed this habit of baking when I know a book is going to wreck me. It’s like I’m subconsciously trying to soften the blow with carbs. And honestly? It works.
So today, I’m sharing my favorite reading-day recipe — my emotional support banana bread — along with the book I paired it with last time (spoiler: it was Still Beating and yes, I cried into the batter).
The Recipe: Cozy Banana Bread With a Touch of Cinnamon
This recipe is:
- Easy enough to throw together mid-chapter
- Forgiving if you’re emotionally distracted
- Delicious warm, cold, or with tears on top
Ingredients:
- 3 ripe bananas, mashed
- 1/3 cup melted butter
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp baking soda
- Pinch of salt
- 1 tsp cinnamon (trust me)
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- Optional: chocolate chips, walnuts, or a sprinkle of sea salt on top
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large bowl, mash bananas and mix in melted butter.
- Add sugar, egg, and vanilla. Stir until it looks like mushy gold.
- Sprinkle in baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Mix again.
- Add flour and fold until just combined — don’t overmix!
- Pour into a greased loaf pan. Add chocolate chips if you’re feeling extra.
- Bake for 50–60 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool (a little) before slicing. Eat warm with a cozy drink and a book that will emotionally ruin you.
Book Pairing: Still Beating by Jennifer Hartmann
Dark. Gripping. Emotional chaos. This book pulled me in with its rawness and didn’t let go. I made this banana bread while reading it, and I swear the cinnamon helped absorb at least 10% of the emotional damage.
Warning: do not operate an oven while sobbing.
Other Book + Baked Good Pairings (Because I’m a Little Extra)
- The Night Circus → lavender shortbread
- Beach Read → lemon bars
- Daughter of No Worlds → dark chocolate brownies
- A Court of Mist and Fury → something with berries and rage
Honestly, part of me wants to make this a series. Books & Bakes? Chapter & Crumble? The possibilities are endless and delicious.
What Should I Bake Next?
Have a favorite book and cozy recipe I should try? Drop it in the comments or message me! I’m always looking for more fictional heartbreak and warm carbs to soften the blow.
Now if you’ll excuse me, I have banana bread to eat and fictional men to obsess over.
With crumbs and love,
Taylor
