The Best Yumblink Pancakes recipe you will fall in love with. Full of tips and tricks to help you make the best pancakes.
Ahh, banana bread! A classic that’s been a comfort for so many, especially during the first lockdown. My feed was full of it, with every single loaf looking as delicious as the last. I couldn’t resist jumping on the bandwagon too because seriously, banana bread is the bomb
I used to make this a lot back when I was in uni because I always had overripe bananas on hand. But what I didn’t add back then was the magical combination of nutmeg and cardamom. Once I tried it, I was hooked! The spices add that cozy, warm flavor that makes this bread even more irresistible. Trust me, it’s worth the upgrade.
Method
Preheat the Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 175°C (or 180°C if your oven tends to run hot). This ensures your banana bread bakes evenly and gets that lovely golden crust.
Mash the Bananas and Mix Wet Ingredients
In a large bowl, take your ripe bananas and mash them up with a fork or potato masher until they are smooth. Make sure you don’t leave any big chunks for the best texture. Add the oil and eggs to the mashed bananas and mix everything together thoroughly until it’s well combined. This is the foundation of your moist banana bread.
Add Sugar and Vanilla Extract
Stir in the brown sugar and vanilla extract into the wet mixture. Make sure the sugar dissolves completely into the mix for that sweet, rich flavor. This is also the step where you get to indulge in the wonderful vanilla aroma that will fill your kitchen!
Prepare the Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cardamom. These spices are what will elevate your banana bread from good to amazing. The combination of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cardamom adds warmth and depth to the flavor.
Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Now it’s time to combine the wet and dry ingredients. Slowly fold the dry mixture into the wet ingredients. Make sure you don’t overmix! The goal is to just incorporate everything without overworking the batter. Overmixing can lead to dense banana bread, and we want it light and fluffy!
Add Mix-ins
If you’re adding any nuts, chocolate, or dried fruit, fold them into the batter at this stage. Gently mix them in so they are evenly distributed throughout the batter without breaking them down too much. Walnuts are a classic choice for banana bread, but feel free to get creative!
Pour the Batter into the Loaf Tin
Once your batter is ready, pour it into a loaf tin that’s been lined with parchment paper. Make sure the batter is evenly spread out in the tin. This ensures that your banana bread bakes evenly and doesn’t end up with one side too thick or undercooked.
Top with Walnuts and Brown Sugar
For an extra touch of crunch and sweetness, sprinkle some walnuts and brown sugar on top of the batter before putting it in the oven. The sugar will caramelize as it bakes, giving your banana bread a lovely golden finish.
Bake to Perfection
Place the loaf tin in your preheated oven and bake for 45-50 minutes. The key to knowing when it’s done is to insert a toothpick into the center of the loaf. If it comes out clean, then your banana bread is ready! If the toothpick has batter stuck to it, give it another 5 minutes and check again.
Necessary Tools
- 1 loaf tin (lined with parchment paper)
- 2 mixing bowls (one for wet, one for dry ingredients)
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Fork or potato masher (for mashing the bananas)
- Whisk or spatula for folding in the dry ingredients
- Toothpick or cake tester (to check if it’s done)
Spiced Banana Bread
Cuisine: AmericanDifficulty: EasyServings
10
servingsPrep time
15
minutesCooking time
50
minutesTotal time
1
hour5
minutesIngredients
2 ripe bananas (you can go for 3-4 for a stronger banana flavor)
2 eggs
1/2 cup oil (I used neutral, but coconut oil works too, or you can mix oil and butter)
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup brown sugar (use white if you prefer, but brown gives a richer taste)
1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp cardamom
Optional 1 cup walnuts (or chocolate, almonds, fruits whatever you like!)
Brown sugar for the top (for that sweet, crunchy finish)
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 175°C (If your oven runs a bit hot like mine, go ahead and set it to 180°C).
- In a large bowl, mash the bananas until smooth. Add the oil and eggs and mix them together.
- Stir in the sugar and vanilla extract until everything is well combined.
- In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cardamom.
- Fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, but don’t overmix. We want it fluffy, not dense.
- If you’re adding nuts, chocolate, or any other mix-ins, fold them in now.
- Pour the batter into the parchment-lined loaf tin and top with walnuts and a sprinkle of brown sugar for that sweet crunch.
- Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Notes
- Don’t overmix the batter It’s key to keeping your banana bread light and fluffy. Overmixing can lead to a dense loaf.
- Keep an eye on the time while baking. Every oven is different, so check with a toothpick around the 45-minute mark. You want it to come out clean, but not too dry!
- If you prefer a crispier top, you can bake it a little longer. Just make sure it doesn’t burn nobody likes burnt banana bread!
Serving Suggestions
- Slice it up and enjoy with a cup of coffee or tea. It’s perfect for breakfast, a snack, or even a dessert!
- Top it with a little butter or cream cheese for an extra indulgent treat.
- It also makes for an excellent gift wrapped in parchment paper for friends and family.
Fun Fact
Did you know banana bread became super popular during the 1930s Great Depression? It was a way to use overripe bananas that were often tossed out, turning waste into something yummy and useful! You could say banana bread is a little history in every bite.
Conclusion
This spiced banana bread is a twist on the classic that’s sure to wow your taste buds. The rich banana flavor, combined with cinnamon, nutmeg, and cardamom, makes it the perfect cozy treat for any time of the day. Whether you’re a banana bread newbie or a seasoned pro, this recipe will have you coming back for more. So grab those overripe bananas and get baking!
