This Maple Pecan Banana Bread is a delightful twist on the classic banana bread.With the natural sweetness of ripe bananas, rich maple syrup, and toasted pecans, it’s a perfect combination of flavors and textures. Whether you’re enjoying it fresh from the oven or as leftovers, this bread is soft, moist, and absolutely delicious. It’s the perfect treat for breakfast, a snack, or dessert.
1/2cupunsalted buttermelted (or 1/2 cup vegetable oil)
1tspvanilla extract
2cupsall-purpose flour
1tspbaking soda
1/2tspsalt
1cuptoasted pecanschopped (about 3 oz)
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9x5-inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
Toast the pecans: Place the pecans in a dry skillet over medium heat for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they are lightly browned and fragrant. Set aside to cool.
Prepare the bananas: Mash the ripe bananas in a large mixing bowl until smooth or slightly chunky, depending on your texture preference.
Mix the wet ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, maple syrup, melted butter (or oil), and vanilla extract. Make sure the mixture is smooth and well combined.
Combine the dry ingredients: In another bowl, whisk the flour, baking soda, and salt together.
Incorporate the wet and dry ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring gently until just combined.Be careful not to overmix.
Add the bananas and pecans: Fold in the mashed bananas and toasted pecans until evenly distributed throughout the batter.
Bake the bread: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Bake for 60-70 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean or with a few crumbs attached.
Cool: Allow the bread to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. Slice and enjoy!
Notes
Recipe Notes:
Bananas: The riper the bananas, the sweeter and more flavorful your bread will be. Look for bananas that are heavily speckled with brown spots for the best results.
Storage: Store any leftover bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days. It can also be wrapped tightly and frozen for up to 3 months.
Flavor variations: Feel free to experiment with add-ins like chocolate chips, dried fruit, or even a pinch of cinnamon for a different twist on this classic banana bread.
Gluten-Free Version: To make this bread gluten-free, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend in place of the all-purpose flour. Be sure to check the brand’s instructions for any adjustments.