Banana Maple Walnut Bread
A moist, flavorful banana bread infused with maple and walnuts, perfect for breakfast, snack, or dessert, appealing to banana lovers and those craving a comforting treat.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup butter or margarine, softened
- 1 1/4 cups sugar ⓘ
- 1 egg ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon imitation maple flavor ⓘ
- 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 cup mashed ripe bananas ⓘ
- 1/4 cup dairy sour cream ⓘ
- 2 cups all-purpose flour ⓘ
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder ⓘ
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda ⓘ
- 1/2 teaspoon salt ⓘ
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts ⓘ
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Lightly grease and flour a 9x5x3-inch loaf pan and set aside.
- Cream butter with sugar in a large mixer bowl until smooth.
- Add egg, imitation maple flavor, vanilla extract, and cinnamon, then beat with electric mixer at medium speed for 2 minutes.
- Add mashed bananas and sour cream, and mix well.
- Sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Add the flour mixture to the banana mixture and mix well.
- Stir in chopped walnuts.
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan.
- Bake for 65 to 70 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool in the pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes.
- Remove from the pan and cool completely on the wire rack.
Tips & Substitutions
To enhance the flavor, consider using fresh mashed bananas for a richer taste. If you don't have walnuts, pecans or chocolate chips can be excellent substitutes. For a healthier option, replace half of the butter with unsweetened applesauce. Ensure your baking powder is fresh for best results, and remember to sift the dry ingredients to avoid lumps.
Serving Suggestions
This Banana Maple Walnut Bread is delightful on its own, but you can also serve it with a dollop of butter or cream cheese for added richness. It pairs beautifully with a cup of coffee or tea. For a festive touch, consider serving it alongside Caramel Dipped Apples for dessert or brunch gatherings.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftover Banana Maple Walnut Bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, wrap the bread tightly in plastic wrap and freeze it for up to 3 months. To reheat, simply thaw at room temperature and warm slices in a toaster or microwave for a few seconds.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Banana Maple Walnut Bread contains roughly 284 calories, with 8g protein, 58g carbohydrates, and 2g fat. It is a good source of iron (18% of the Daily Value), protein (16% of the Daily Value), and calcium (16% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1798mg per serving (78% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use frozen bananas in this recipe?
Yes, frozen bananas work perfectly! Just thaw them and drain any excess liquid before mashing. They tend to be sweeter and more flavorful, making them ideal for baking. Be sure to adjust other ingredients if necessary to maintain the right consistency.
How can I make this recipe gluten-free?
To make gluten-free Banana Maple Walnut Bread, substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. Make sure the blend includes xanthan gum for proper texture. The baking time may vary slightly, so keep an eye on it while baking.
Can I add other ingredients to this bread?
Absolutely! You can add chocolate chips, dried fruits, or even spices like nutmeg for extra flavor. Just be mindful not to overwhelm the banana flavor, which is the star of this recipe. Experimenting can lead to delicious variations!
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).