Blackberry Banana Bread You’ll Love to Bake
Bake a delicious loaf of blackberry banana bread packed with flavor and moisture. Perfect for breakfast, snacks, or dessert, easy to make and irresistible!
Ingredients
- 2 ripe bananas – The riper the better! Bananas that are overripe (with brown spots) are perfect because they add natural sweetness and moisture to the bread.
- 1 cup fresh blackberries – Fresh blackberries give the bread a burst of juicy flavor. If fresh ones aren’t available feel free to use frozen blackberries (just make sure to thaw and drain them first).
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour – This is the base of your bread providing structure and a soft, fluffy texture. For a more nutritious option, you can replace it with whole wheat flour, but keep in mind it might create a denser texture.
- 1 teaspoon baking powder – This helps the bread rise and gives it that perfect fluffy crumb.
- ½ teaspoon baking soda – A little extra lift especially when paired with the acidity of the bananas, ensures a lighter texture.
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon – This adds a warm comforting spice to complement the natural sweetness of the bananas and blackberries.
- ½ cup unsalted butter – Softened butter makes the bread rich and moist. Coconut oil can be used as an alternative for a dairy-free version.
- ¾ cup granulated sugar – You’ll need just a bit of sugar to bring out the sweetness of the fruit. You can substitute this with honey or maple syrup for a healthier more natural alternative.
- 2 large eggs – Eggs help bind the ingredients together and add to the structure of the bread.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract – A touch of vanilla enhances the overall flavor giving the bread that perfect, comforting aroma.
- Pinch of salt – A small amount of salt brings out the sweetness and balances the flavors in the bread.
Instructions
Preheat the Oven
- Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures that your banana bread bakes evenly and gets that perfect golden-brown crust. Prepare a 9x5-inch loaf pan by greasing it with butter or lining it with parchment paper to ensure the bread comes out easily after baking.
Mash the Bananas
- In a large bowl, peel and mash the ripe bananas with a fork or potato masher until smooth. The riper the bananas, the sweeter and more intense the flavor of your bread will be. For a stronger banana taste, leave some small chunks for added texture.
Cream the Butter and Sugar
- In a separate bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy. This will take about 2-3 minutes with an electric mixer, or 4-5 minutes by hand with a whisk. This step helps to create a light, airy crumb in your bread.
Add Eggs and Vanilla
- Add the eggs individually, beating thoroughly after each to ensure they are fully blended. Then, stir in the vanilla extract. The eggs help bind the ingredients together, while the vanilla adds that warm, comforting aroma.
Mix in the Dry Ingredients
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt until well combined. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring just until they are combined. Avoid overmixing—the batter can have a few lumps for the best texture.
Fold in the Blackberries
- Now comes the fun part! Gently fold the fresh blackberries into the batter, making sure they are evenly distributed. Take care not to crush them, as you want to preserve their juiciness and burst of flavor in every bite.
Pour the Batter into the Pan
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top using a spatula. It’s okay if the batter is a little lumpy – this just means your bread will have a perfect, rustic texture.
Bake the Bread
- Place the pan in the oven and bake for 55 to 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs. If the top begins to brown too quickly, loosely tent the bread with aluminum foil for the last 10 to 15 minutes of baking.
Cool and Serve
- After your banana bread is completely baked, take it out of the oven and allow it to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then, transfer it to a wire rack to cool thoroughly. This will prevent it from becoming soggy. Slice and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition Information (Per Serving)
- Calories: 280
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Carbs: 38g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 18g
- Protein: 3g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Potassium: 250mg
- Cholesterol: 40mg