Description
This Apple Banana Bread recipe combines the moist richness of ripe bananas with the sweet tartness of diced apples, enhanced by warm cinnamon and nutmeg spices. A crunchy, buttery streusel topping adds delightful texture, making it a perfect homemade treat for breakfast or snack time. Baked to golden perfection, this loaf offers a comforting and flavorful twist on classic banana bread.
Ingredients
Streusel Topping
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
- 1/2 cup brown sugar (packed)
- 1/2 cup all purpose flour (or 1:1 gluten free flour)
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
Cinnamon Apple Mixture
- 1 1/4 cup peeled and diced apples (1 large apple)
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar (packed)
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 Tablespoon all purpose flour
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1.5 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Wet Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups ripe mashed bananas (about 3-4 large bananas)
- 1/2 cup butter (melted)
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar (packed)
- 2 large eggs (room temperature)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prep: Adjust the oven rack to the lower third position and preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C). Grease a metal 9×5-inch loaf pan or coat with nonstick spray and line the center with a piece of parchment paper to ensure easy removal of the bread.
- Make the Streusel Topping: In a small bowl, combine the room temperature butter, brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon. Mix with a fork until the mixture forms large crumbly chunks. Place the streusel mixture in the refrigerator to keep it cold while you prepare the batter, which helps prevent it from sinking into the bread during baking.
- Prepare the Cinnamon Apple Mixture: Toss the peeled and diced apples with light brown sugar, cinnamon, and flour in a medium bowl. The flour helps absorb excess moisture from the apples during baking, while the sugar and cinnamon enhance their flavor.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In another bowl, whisk together the all purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, kosher salt, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg to ensure even distribution of the leavening agents and spices.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix the mashed ripe bananas with melted butter, white sugar, and light brown sugar until smooth. Then beat in the eggs one at a time followed by the vanilla extract, creating a cohesive wet mixture.
- Combine Batter: Gradually whisk the flour mixture into the wet banana mixture just until incorporated; avoid overmixing to keep the bread tender. Gently fold in the cinnamon apple mixture to evenly distribute the fruit without breaking it down too much. Pour this batter into the prepared loaf pan, smoothing the top.
- Bake: Sprinkle the chilled streusel topping evenly over the batter. Bake in the preheated oven for 65-75 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs attached. Allow the bread to cool almost completely in the pan before removing to slice and serve.
Notes
- For best flavor, use very ripe bananas that have brown spots for natural sweetness and moisture.
- Using a cold streusel topping prevents it from melting into the bread, keeping a nice crunchy texture on top.
- If you don't have a metal loaf pan, a glass or ceramic pan can be used but may require slightly longer baking time.
- Make sure to not overmix the batter once the flour is added to avoid a dense bread.
- This bread freezes well; wrap tightly and thaw before serving.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 65-75 minutes
- Category: Baking
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
