The Ultimate Pumpkin Banana Bread: A Deliciously Spiced Fall Treat
Embrace the cozy spirit of autumn with this extraordinary Pumpkin Banana Bread, a delightful mash-up that perfectly blends two beloved classics. This recipe isn’t just a treat; it’s an experience, especially crafted for savoring throughout the crisp ‘ber months. Imagine the comforting aromas filling your kitchen as hints of warm pumpkin spice mingle with sweet, ripe banana.
What truly sets this loaf apart is the incredible caramelized cinnamon sugar banana topping. It’s more than just a garnish; it transforms the bread with a layer of irresistible flavor and a beautiful, golden-brown finish that makes every slice feel special. This exquisite touch elevates a simple quick bread into something truly spectacular.
If you’re a fan of combining seasonal flavors, and you appreciate a good pumpkin bread, then this recipe is a must-try. Its moist texture and harmonious blend of pumpkin and banana notes will quickly make it a family favorite. For those who enjoy a twist on classic pumpkin bread, you might also love my Chocolate Pumpkin Swirl Loaf, or even explore turning this recipe into delightful Pumpkin Banana Muffins with Pecan Crisp Topping. There’s always a new way to enjoy these fantastic fall flavors!
Why This Pumpkin Banana Bread Will Become Your Go-To Recipe
This recipe is not only incredibly delicious but also wonderfully practical. It’s the perfect solution for those slightly-past-their-prime bananas sitting on your counter, too ripe for snacking but just right for baking. The natural sweetness and moisture from very ripe bananas contribute significantly to the bread’s tender crumb and rich flavor. Additionally, if you have an open can of pumpkin puree lingering in the fridge from another recipe, this bread provides an excellent opportunity to use it up, preventing food waste and creating something delicious in the process.
Beyond its clever use of ingredients, this recipe relies almost entirely on pantry staples. This means you likely have most of what you need on hand, making it an ideal candidate for a spontaneous baking session. The ease of preparation, combined with the readily available ingredients, allows you to whip up a batch of this comforting pumpkin banana bread on a whim, bringing warmth and a delightful aroma to your home any day of the week.
Ingredients
Crafting the perfect Pumpkin Banana Bread begins with selecting quality ingredients. While this recipe is fantastic for using up ripe bananas and leftover pumpkin puree, understanding the role of each component will help you achieve the best results.
What you need:
- Unsalted Butter: Essential for richness and a tender crumb. Ensure it’s at room temperature for proper creaming.
- Brown Sugar: Adds moisture and a deep, molasses-like sweetness that complements both pumpkin and banana beautifully.
- Eggs: Act as a binder and add structure, contributing to the bread’s rise and texture. Use large eggs at room temperature.
- Vanilla Extract: A fundamental flavor enhancer in almost any baked good.
- Pumpkin Puree: Make sure to use pure pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling, which contains added spices and sugar.
- Mashed Banana: The riper the bananas, the sweeter and more flavorful your bread will be. Look for bananas with plenty of brown spots.
- All-Purpose Flour: The structural base of the bread. Measure accurately to avoid a dry or dense loaf.
- Baking Soda: The leavening agent that helps the bread rise and achieve its fluffy texture.
- Kosher Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances all the other flavors.
- Pumpkin Pie Spice: The quintessential fall spice blend, bringing warmth and aromatic notes.
- Whole Banana: For the stunning caramelized topping.
- Cinnamon Sugar: A simple blend that creates an irresistible crisp and flavorful crust on top of the loaf.
For precise measurements and detailed instructions, please refer to the recipe card below. Remember that using room temperature ingredients (butter, eggs) is crucial for a smooth, well-emulsified batter and an even bake.
Preparing for Baking: Essential Tips
Before you dive into mixing, a little preparation goes a long way to ensure baking success. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) well in advance to ensure it’s at the correct temperature when your batter is ready. This helps the bread rise properly and bake evenly. Next, prepare your loaf pan. Buttering it thoroughly and then lining it with parchment paper is a key step. The parchment paper creates “handles” that allow you to easily lift the finished loaf out of the pan, preventing it from sticking and making cleanup a breeze. Set the prepared pan aside, ready for the delicious batter.
Method: Crafting Your Pumpkin Banana Bread
Follow these steps carefully to create a perfectly moist and flavorful Pumpkin Banana Bread.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. **Cream the Butter and Sugar:** In the bowl of an electric stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or using a hand mixer, combine the room temperature unsalted butter and brown sugar. Beat them together on medium speed until the mixture is light, fluffy, and noticeably paler in color. This process, typically taking about 3 minutes, incorporates air into the butter, which is essential for a tender crumb in your finished bread. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to ensure everything is well combined.
2. **Incorporate Wet Ingredients:** With the mixer still running on low speed, beat in the large eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Follow with the vanilla extract, pumpkin puree, and mashed banana. Continue to beat until all these wet ingredients are just blended into the butter and sugar mixture. Be careful not to overmix at this stage; you just want them combined.
3. **Add Dry Ingredients:** In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, kosher salt, and pumpkin pie spice. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture in the stand mixer, mixing on low speed just until no streaks of flour remain. Overmixing the flour can lead to a tough bread, so stop as soon as it’s combined.
4. **Prepare for Baking:** Pour the finished batter evenly into your previously buttered and parchment-lined loaf pan. Smooth the top with a spatula if needed. For that show-stopping topping, take a whole banana, slice it in half lengthwise, and gently place the two halves on top of the batter. The banana will soften and caramelize beautifully during baking.
5. **The Cinnamon Sugar Finish:** Generously dust the entire top of the loaf, including the exposed banana halves, with cinnamon sugar. This simple step is key to achieving that fantastic, crisp, and richly flavored crust that makes this bread so unique. As it bakes, the cinnamon sugar will caramelize, creating a gorgeous sparkle and an extra layer of sweetness and spice.
6. **Bake to Perfection:** Place the loaf pan in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 60-65 minutes. Baking times can vary depending on your oven, so start checking around the 55-minute mark. The bread is done when a wooden skewer or toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs attached. If the top starts to brown too quickly, you can loosely tent it with aluminum foil for the remaining baking time.
7. **Cooling is Crucial:** Once baked, remove the loaf from the oven. Allow it to cool in the pan for 5-10 minutes on a wire cooling rack. This brief resting period allows the bread to set and prevents it from crumbling when handled. After this initial cooling, use the parchment paper overhang to carefully lift the loaf out of the pan and transfer it directly onto the cooling rack. Letting the bread cool completely on a rack is vital. It allows air to circulate around all sides, preventing the bottom from becoming soggy due to trapped steam and ensuring a perfectly textured crumb throughout.
Serving and Storage Suggestions
This Pumpkin Banana Bread is best enjoyed once it has fully cooled, allowing the flavors to meld and the texture to firm up. Slice it thick and serve it as a delightful breakfast treat, a comforting afternoon snack with your favorite hot beverage, or even a light dessert. It pairs wonderfully with a cup of freshly brewed coffee, a warm chai latte, or a glass of cold milk.
To store, wrap the cooled loaf tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, or place it in an airtight container. It will stay fresh at room temperature for up to 3-4 days. For longer storage, this bread freezes beautifully. Slice the cooled loaf, then wrap individual slices in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. Thaw slices at room temperature or gently warm them in the microwave for a quick and cozy treat anytime.
Variations to Try
While this recipe is perfect as is, you can always experiment with additions to suit your taste:
- **Nuts:** Fold in ½ cup of chopped pecans or walnuts with the dry ingredients for added crunch and nutty flavor.
- **Chocolate Chips:** For a sweeter twist, stir in ½ cup of semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips.
- **Dried Fruit:** Cranberries or golden raisins would complement the fall flavors beautifully.
- **Extra Spices:** If you love a bolder spice profile, consider adding a pinch of ground cloves or ginger to your dry ingredients.
This Pumpkin Banana Bread truly celebrates all the vibrant and comforting flavors of fall in a most beautiful and delicious way. Its inviting aroma, moist texture, and beautifully spiced profile make it the perfect accompaniment to a crisp autumn morning or a cozy evening. If you adore this recipe, be sure to explore its delightful cousin, my Pumpkin Banana Muffins with Pecan Crisp Topping, for another seasonal favorite!
📖 Recipe Card
Pumpkin Banana Bread
15 minutes
1 hour
1 hour 15 minutes
Celebrate the flavors of fall with this beautiful Pumpkin Banana Bread.
Ingredients
- 8 tablespoons Unsalted Butter, room temperature
- 1 cup Brown Sugar
- 2 large Eggs, room temp
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- 1 cup Pumpkin Puree
- ½ cup Mashed Banana
- 1 ½ cups All-Purpose Flour
- 1 teaspoon Baking Soda
- 1 teaspoon Kosher Salt, Morton’s
- 1 tablespoon Pumpkin Pie Spice
- 1 Whole Banana, sliced for topping
- 1-2 Tablespoons Cinnamon Sugar
Instructions
Recommended Products
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- Webake Large Enamel Bread Pan, Long Banana Bread Loaf Pan for Baking, Non-Stick Rectangle Cake Pan Enamelware White 12 x 4.5 Inches
- SMARTAKE 200 Pcs Parchment Paper Baking Sheets, 12×16 Inches Non-Stick Precut Baking Parchment, Perfect for Baking Grilling Air Fryer Steaming Bread Cup Cake Cookie and More (Unbleached)
- OXO Good Grips 4 Piece Stainless Steel Measuring Spoons with Magnetic Snaps
- OXO Good Grips 4 Piece Stainless Steel Measuring Cups with Magnetic Snaps
- KitchenAid KSM150PSCE Artisan Stand Mixers, 5 quart, Copper Pearl (Renewed)
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
8
Serving Size:
1
Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 342Total Fat: 13gSaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 77mgSodium: 343mgCarbohydrates: 53gFiber: 3gSugar: 29gProtein: 5g
This is an estimated caloric value, actual numbers may differ based on the ingredients used.
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