Chai Banana Bread is a delightful twist on the classic banana bread, perfect for cozy fall days. The warm spices bring a comforting aroma to your kitchen, making it an inviting treat for family gatherings or quiet afternoons. The recipe is sure to become a favorite as the weather cools down.
For those looking to make substitutions, Greek yogurt can replace sour cream for a lighter option. If you are allergic to nuts, simply omit the walnuts or substitute with seeds. Ensure you use pumpkin puree instead of pumpkin pie filling to avoid added sugars and spices that may alter the flavor profile.
Bread & Rolls
Chai Banana Bread Recipe
Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour, spooned into measuring cup and leveled-off
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ¾ teaspoon ground cardamom
- ¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon allspice
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup mashed very ripe bananas, from 2 to 3 bananas
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- ½ cup chopped walnuts, optional
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and grease a 9 x 5-inch loaf pan with cooking spray.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine ½ cup of softened unsalted butter and 1 cup of granulated sugar. Beat them together until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, which should take about 2 minutes.
- Add 2 large eggs to the butter and sugar mixture, mixing well after each addition. Don’t forget to scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to ensure everything is well incorporated.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together 1½ cups of all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon of baking soda, ¾ teaspoon of ground cardamom, ¾ teaspoon of ground cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon of ground ginger, ¼ teaspoon of allspice, and ¾ teaspoon of salt until well combined.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as the can make the bread tough.
- Next, fold in 1 cup of mashed very ripe bananas, ½ cup of sour cream, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract until everything is mixed together.
- If you’re using walnuts, gently stir in ½ cup of chopped walnuts now.
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Bake in the preheated oven for 60 to 70 minutes, or until the top is a deep golden brown and a cake tester inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Once done, let the bread rest in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
Tips
- The bread can be made ahead of time; it keeps well for a few days at room temperature.
- Wrap the cooled bread tightly in foil and store it in a zip-top bag for up to a week.
- For extra flair, serve slices toasted with a pat of butter or a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar.
If you love the Chai Banana Bread, you should try the Moist Banana Bread. It’s another delicious option that brings a lovely texture and flavor to your baking repertoire.