Who doesn’t love warm, freshly baked banana bread? It’s the ultimate comfort food, and today, I’m giving it a tasty upgrade with the addition of maple syrup and crunchy pecans! This Maple Pecan Banana Bread is moist, flavorful, and has just the right amount of sweetness. Plus, the maple icing on top? Pure bliss!
Method
Preheat and Prepare
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). While the oven warms up, take a loaf pan and grease it thoroughly with butter or oil to ensure easy removal of the bread after baking. Alternatively, you can line the pan with parchment paper for even easier cleanup.
Mash and Mix
In a large mixing bowl, begin by mashing the ripe bananas using a masher or a fork. Make sure to break down all the chunks until the mixture is relatively smooth with just a few small lumps. Next, crack in the eggs and add the maple syrup, vanilla extract, and the optional vanilla bean paste. Use a whisk to combine everything until the mixture becomes smooth and well incorporated. The addition of maple syrup and vanilla will give a sweet, aromatic base to your banana bread.
Add Dry Ingredients
Now, it’s time to incorporate the dry ingredients. Gradually add the flour, sugar, cinnamon, and baking powder to the wet mixture. As you add the dry ingredients, gently fold them in with a spatula to avoid overmixing, which can result in a dense bread texture. Continue folding until there are no visible streaks of flour.
Fold in Pecans
Once the batter is well mixed, carefully fold in the chopped pecans. Make sure they are evenly distributed throughout the batter to ensure each slice gets a bit of that nutty crunch. Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan, smoothing the top with a spatula if necessary.
Bake
Place the loaf pan in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 53 minutes. Keep an eye on the bread as it bakes, and test its doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center. If it comes out clean or with just a few crumbs, the bread is done. Remove from the oven and place the pan on a cooling rack to cool.
Cool and Ice
Allow the bread to cool in the pan for about 20 minutes before attempting to remove it. Once cooled, prepare the icing by mixing powdered sugar and maple syrup until smooth. Drizzle the icing over the cooled bread, letting it set for a few minutes before slicing.
Necessary Tools
- Loaf pan
- Large mixing bowl
- Whisk
- Masher
- Spatula
- Measuring cups and spoons
Maple Pecan Banana Bread: A Delicious Twist on a Classic!
Cuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy8
servings10
minutes53
minutes1
hour3
minutesIngredients
3/4 cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free 1:1 baking flour)
1/2 cup granulated sugar (like cane sugar)
2 tsp. cinnamon
1 & 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 tsp. vanilla bean paste (optional)
1/3 cup maple syrup
2 eggs
3 small ripe bananas
1/2 cup chopped pecans
Icing
1/3 cup powdered sugar
2 tbsp. maple syrup
Directions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease or line a loaf pan.
- Mash and Mix: In a large bowl, mash the ripe bananas. Add eggs, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and vanilla bean paste. Whisk together.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Gradually add flour, sugar, cinnamon, and baking powder. Mix until combined.
- Fold in Pecans: Gently fold in chopped pecans. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan.
- Bake: Place in the oven and bake for 53 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool and Ice: Let the bread cool for at least 20 minutes before drizzling with maple icing.
Notes
- Be careful not to overmix the batter once the flour is added; this can make the bread dense.
- Always use ripe bananas; they make the bread moist and naturally sweet.
- Allow the bread to cool before icing, or it might melt right off!
Serving Suggestions
- Serve warm with a pat of butter for breakfast.
- Pair with a cup of coffee or tea.
- Add a dollop of whipped cream on top for dessert!
Fun Fact
Did you know that pecans are native to North America? They’re packed with healthy fats, fiber, and a deliciously buttery flavor!
Conclusion
This Maple Pecan Banana Bread is the perfect blend of sweet, nutty, and comforting flavors. Whether for breakfast, a snack, or dessert, it’s a treat you’ll want to make over and over. Enjoy every bite!
