Cardamom Coffee Banana Bread
Cardamom Coffee Banana Bread is a flavorful loaf combining ripe bananas, aromatic cardamom, and rich coffee for a moist, spiced treat.
Ingredients
2 ripe bananas – The riper, the better! Overripe bananas add the best sweetness and moisture to your bread.
1 cup sugar – Regular granulated sugar works perfectly, but you can substitute with coconut sugar for a more rustic, caramel-like flavor.
1/2 cup unsalted butter – Softened to room temperature, this will help make your banana bread wonderfully moist.
2 large eggs – These offer structure and assist in binding the ingredients.
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour – The foundation for your banana bread. For a healthier twist, you can swap half of it with whole wheat flour.
1 teaspoon baking soda – To help your banana bread rise and achieve a light, fluffy texture.
1/4 teaspoon salt – Just a pinch to balance out the sweetness and enhance the flavors.
1 teaspoon vanilla extract – For that warm, aromatic kick that complements the coffee and cardamom.
1 tablespoon ground cardamom – The star of the show! This adds a unique, spicy-sweet depth to the banana bread. If you’ve never baked with cardamom before, prepare for an aromatic surprise.
2 tablespoons ground coffee – Choose your favorite medium roast for the best flavor. Coffee boosts the bread's overall richness and depth of flavor.
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon – This classic spice enhances the comforting warmth of the banana bread, blending beautifully with the coffee and cardamom.
1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional) – For added crunch and texture, but feel free to leave them out if you prefer a smoother loaf.
Instructions
Preheat and Prepare Your Pan
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). While it heats up, grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan with butter or non-stick spray. You can also line the pan with parchment paper to make removal easier after baking.
Mash the Bananas
- Peel the ripe bananas, then mash them gently as you add them to a large mixing bowl. Use a fork to mash them up until smooth, leaving a few small chunks for texture. The riper the bananas, the simpler this step becomes!
Cream the Butter and Sugar
- In a different bowl, blend the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Use an electric mixer or a hand whisk for about 1-2 minutes, until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step is key for ensuring your banana bread is soft and moist.
Add the Eggs and Vanilla
- Add the eggs one by one to the butter and sugar mixture, beating thoroughly after each addition. Then, stir in the vanilla extract. This will enhance the overall flavor, bringing out the sweet and spicy notes.
Mix in the Dry Ingredients
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, cardamom, and ground coffee. This step helps distribute the dry ingredients evenly and ensures your banana bread bakes up perfectly.
- Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, folding gently with a spatula or spoon until just combined. Be careful not to overmix—this helps keep the bread light and fluffy.
Fold in the Bananas
- Now, gently fold your mashed bananas into the batter. The bananas add moisture and sweetness, so make sure they’re evenly distributed throughout the mixture.
Pour the Batter into the Pan
- Spoon the banana bread batter into the prepared loaf pan, spreading it evenly. Use a spatula to level the top, making sure the batter is spread out evenly.
Bake to Perfection
- Place the loaf pan in the oven and bake for 55 to 60 minutes. The bread is ready when a toothpick or cake tester inserted into the center comes out clean or with only a few moist crumbs attached. The top should be golden and gently cracked.
Cool and Serve
- Once baked, take the pan out of the oven and allow the bread to cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Then, remove the loaf from the pan and place it on a wire rack to cool completely. While it cools, the flavors will continue to develop, making it even more irresistible.
Notes
Nutrition Information (Per Serving):
- Calories: 260 kcal
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 18g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
- Sodium: 180mg
- Potassium: 150mg
- Vitamin A: 6%
- Vitamin C: 5%
- Calcium: 2%
- Iron: 6%