Pumpkin Banana Bread
This Pumpkin Banana Bread is a delightful fusion of two beloved flavors: the richness of pumpkin and the natural sweetness of ripe bananas. Infused with cozy fall spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, this moist and aromatic bread is perfect for breakfast, a snack, or even dessert. Easy to make and full of flavor, it’s an ideal way to enjoy the season’s best ingredients.
Equipment
- Mixing Bowls – 2 (large and small)
- Measuring Cups and Spoons – for dry and liquid ingredients
- Whisk or Electric Mixer – for mixing wet ingredients
- 9x5-inch Loaf Pan – for baking
- Spatula – for scraping and smoothing batter
- Cooling Rack – for cooling the bread after baking
Ingredients
- 2 ripe bananas mashed
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup melted butter or vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan with butter or cooking spray.
- Prepare Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, mash the bananas until smooth. Add the pumpkin puree, eggs, melted butter (or oil), and vanilla extract. Whisk until well combined.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt.
- Combine: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the batter.
- Transfer to Pan: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan, spreading it evenly with a spatula.
- Bake: Bake for 60-70 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. If the top is browning too quickly, cover it loosely with aluminum foil.
- Cool: Allow the bread to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a cooling rack to cool completely.
- Serve: Slice and enjoy!
Notes
- Bananas: For best results, use ripe bananas with brown spots. They will provide the ideal sweetness and moisture.
- Pumpkin: Be sure to use pure pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling, for the right flavor and consistency.
- Add-ins: You can add chocolate chips, nuts, or dried fruit to the batter if you like. Just fold them in gently.
- Storage: Store the bread at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3 days. You can also refrigerate it for up to a week or freeze it for up to 3 months.
- Spice Adjustments: Feel free to adjust the spices to your preference. Add more cinnamon or nutmeg for extra warmth or sweetness.