Maple Pecan Banana Bread
Maple Pecan Banana Bread is a moist and flavorful loaf combining the natural sweetness of ripe bananas with the rich, caramel-like notes of pure maple syrup. Toasted pecans add a delightful crunch, making this bread perfect for breakfast, snack time, or dessert. With minimal ingredients and straightforward steps, it’s a recipe anyone can master and customize to suit their taste.
Equipment
- 2 Mixing Bowls
- 1 Whisk
- 1 Spatula
- 1 9x5-inch Loaf Pan
- 1 Measuring Cup Set
- 1 Measuring Spoon Set
- 1 Fork (for mashing bananas)
- 1 Toothpick or Cake Tester
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 3 large overripe bananas about 1 ½ cups, mashed
- ½ cup 120 ml pure maple syrup
- 2 large eggs or flax eggs for a vegan option
- ⅓ cup 80 ml melted butter or coconut oil
- 1 tsp 5 ml vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 1 ¾ cups 220 g all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp 5 g baking soda
- 1 tsp 2 g ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp 1 g salt
Add-Ins
- ¾ cup 90 g chopped pecans (plus extra for topping)
Instructions
Preheat the Oven
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper.
Mash the Bananas
- In a large mixing bowl, mash the bananas until smooth but slightly chunky for texture.
Combine Wet Ingredients
- To the mashed bananas, add the maple syrup, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla extract. Whisk until well blended.
Mix Dry Ingredients
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.
Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
- Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture using a spatula. Mix until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
Add Pecans
- Gently fold in the chopped pecans, reserving a handful for topping.
Pour and Top
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan, spreading it evenly. Sprinkle the reserved pecans on top for extra crunch.
Bake
- Bake in the preheated oven for 50–60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Cool and Serve
- Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. Slice and enjoy!
Notes
- For a nuttier flavor, toast the pecans before adding them to the batter.
- Substitute the maple syrup with honey or agave syrup if needed.
- Add chocolate chips, dried cranberries, or shredded coconut for variation.
- Use gluten-free all-purpose flour for a gluten-free version.
- This bread freezes well—wrap slices individually for easy thaw-and-serve portions.