Ingredients
Scale
- 3 overripe bananas, mashed
- 1 cup milk (regular or dairy-free)
- ½ cup butter (regular or dairy-free), melted
- ½ cup maple syrup
- ½ cup cane sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1½ tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (regular or gluten-free)
- 1 cup crushed pecans or walnuts
- Pinch of salt
- Optional Add-Ons: ½ cup chocolate chips or ½ cup dried cranberries/raisins
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 175°C (350°F). Grease or line a 9×5-inch loaf pan.
- Mash bananas: In a large bowl, mash the bananas until smooth.
- Combine wet ingredients: Stir in milk, melted butter, maple syrup, cane sugar, and vanilla extract until well mixed.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt.
- Combine: Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet, stirring gently until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Fold in nuts: Stir in the crushed pecans or walnuts (and optional chocolate chips or dried fruit, if using).
- Fill pan: Pour batter into the loaf pan, smoothing the top.
- Bake: Bake for 55–60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool: Let cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Optional Frosting: Beat together 4 oz (115g) cream cheese (or vegan cream cheese), 2 tbsp softened butter, ½ cup powdered sugar, and ¼ tsp cinnamon until smooth. Spread over cooled bread.
Notes
- Use very ripe bananas for maximum sweetness and flavor.
- For a dairy-free version, use almond, oat, or soy milk, and vegan butter.
- If using coconut oil instead of butter, melt it first and allow it to cool slightly.
- Maple syrup gives a rich flavor, but honey or agave can be used as substitutes.
- Frosting is optional but takes this loaf to dessert level!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Quick Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American Comfort Food
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/12 loaf)
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 19g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 39g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
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