Pumpkin Spice Banana Bread

This has to be the easiest Pumpkin Spice Banana Bread to make! With just one bowl and a spatula, you too can whip up this delicious treat. It’s a no-fuss, no-mess recipe with all of the flavour and richness you’d expect from a homemade banana loaf loaded with pumpkin spice flavour!

This is probably my favourite sweet treat.  It’s one of those recipes that I don’t prepare too often because I can’t seem to control myself. I will just eat and eat until the loaf is gone. I’ve always loved banana bread, and you know I love pumpkin spice! There are so many versions of banana bread recipes out there, but I prefer to stick to a simpler version, much like this Pumpkin Spice Banana Bread. 

Banana bread is fine on its own, but I personally feel that banana bread without nuts is like winter without snow, a pen without ink, a book without words, or a wallet without money.  It’s awkward, lonely, and completely depressing (ok, I’m probably referring mostly to the empty wallet, but you get the idea!)  That’s why, Dear Reader, I always include nuts in my banana bread, no matter if I’m baking this very easy version, or a more complex version.  Nuts and bananas are a perfect pairing.

WELCOME TO A LORD BYRON CHRISTMAS!

I’m going to tell you all about this recipe and how you can make it in your home this holiday season, but first, I want to tell you about what you can expect from Lord Byron’s Kitchen this Christmas. I know we’re getting closer to the big day, so it’s time to get to the holiday-themed recipes! Over the past decade, I have built a reputation for sharing series-type recipes. The most popular would be my annual 24 Cookies of Christmas, which was fashioned after an advent calendar. But, I have others that are only 12 days, which were fashioned after the 12 Days of Christmas.

This particular recipe is a part of my first holiday series for this year. So, welcome, Dear Reader, to Lord Byron’s 12 Holiday Pumpkin Recipes Series. Just like every other series that I’ve shared over the years, this one will also see a new recipe shared each day for the next 12 days – even on Saturday and Sunday! You might be asking yourself, how many Christmas recipes could one possibly have or need? Well, I say you can never have too much of a good thing. And, I love having lots of choices. Who wants to prepare the same holiday recipes year after year?

SUBSCRIBE NOW AND NEVER MISS ANOTHER RECIPE!

Traditionally, every year I share a series of recipes that you might already be familiar with. For example, I’ve previously shared 12 Holiday Trifles, 12 Holiday Bars & Squares, and even these 12 Edible Holiday Wreath recipes! Also, some of my favourite recipe collections from previous years are my 75 Homemade Gifts from Your Kitchen, my 50 Make Ahead Freezer Friendly Christmas Recipes, and my 30 No-Bake Christmas Recipes post.

You really don’t want to miss one of these recipes, so if you have not yet subscribed to Lord Byron’s Kitchen, I encourage you to do so. That way, a new recipe will be emailed to you every day. You won’t have to bother to come looking for it! And, just in case you’re curious, you can see previous annual posts for my 24 Cookies of Christmas Series here!

INGREDIENTS NEEDED TO PREPARE THIS RECIPE

The following is a list of the ingredients needed to prepare this recipe. For exact amounts and measurements, refer to the printable recipe card located near the bottom of this post.

• Bananas – The bananas need to be really ripe. Here’s my general rule for selecting bananas ripe enough for baking – if the banana is more brown than yellow, it’s good. If you are using thawed, previously frozen bananas, they will be entirely brown.
• Butter – I don’t know who said everything is better with butter, but they were right!
• Sugar – I use a cup of sugar and I never find the loaf to be overly sweet. I have not tested this recipe with less sugar.
• Egg – Along with the melted butter, the egg helps to bind everything together.
• Pumpkin Spice Seasoning Blend
• Vanilla Extract
• Flour – Nothing fancy, just all-purpose flour here.
• Baking Soda – This will help to leaven the loaf.
• Salt
• Walnuts

HOW TO MAKE A PUMPKIN SPICE BANANA BREAD

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Next, prepare a loaf pan by generously coating the inside of the pan with non-stick cooking spray. Set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, use a spatula to mix all of the ingredients except the walnuts. There is no need for mixing the wet ingredients first or sifting the dry ingredients together. Once a batter has formed, add the walnut pieces and fold them into the batter. Spoon the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Tap the filled loaf pan 3 or 4 times on the countertop to remove air bubbles and to ensure the thick batter has settled into the loaf pan’s corners.

Bake for 45-50 minutes. Test for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the middle of the loaf. If the toothpick comes out clean, the loaf is done, if not, place the loaf back in the oven for an additional 5 minutes. Cool completely on a cooling rack before slicing.

HERE’S WHAT YOU WILL NEED TO MAKE A PUMPKIN SPICE BLEND

If you do not have a jar of store-bought or pre-made pumpkin spice seasoning blend on hand, you can make your own quite easily. Most of us have a spice rack or cabinet with the following ingredients in it. You can find the exact amound needed right here!

• Cinnamon – Cinnamon is a spice created from the inner bark of the Cinnamomum tree.   The bark is dried until it curls into a roll known as a cinnamon stick.  These are ground into powder.  Commonly found in baked goods, cinnamon is aromatic with a warming flavour.
• Ginger – Ground ginger is fresh ginger that has been peeled and dried before being ground into a powder.  It has a pale yellow in colour and a pungent, spicy smell.  It adds a warming, spicy flavour to recipes.
• Nutmeg – Nutmeg is a seed that comes in whole or ground form.  It is a key ingredient in many baked goods and is essential to anything eggnog related.  I often use it in fall dishes, especially in mashed potatoes!
• Allspice – Contrary to what its name suggests, allspice isn’t a blend of other spices.  Allspice comes from a dried brown berry from a tree.  It is a warm-tasting spice and is very aromatic.
• Cloves – Ground cloves come from whole cloves which have been finely ground.  They are a flower bud that comes from the clove tree.  Whole dried cloves look like small nails.  The name clove comes from the Latin word for nail.  They are extremely fragrant and commonly found in spiced cakes and confections.

FINISHING YOUR BREAD

As you can see in the photographs, I topped my Pumpkin Spice Banana Bread with frosting. This is completely optional, of course! In most cases, I don’t do anything at all or I simply dust the top with confectioner’s sugar. But, since this banana bread is being presented at during the holidays, I wanted to make it a little extra special.

Remember a few days ago when I shared my Pecan Pumpkin Dip recipe? Well, I told you then that the dip can also double as a frosting for cakes. To prove it, I’ve topped my Pumpkin Spice Banana Bread with it! It added just the right amount of sweetness and made the bread perfect for Thanksgiving or Christmas!

QUESTIONS?

If I have not answered all of your questions in the text above, don’t hesitate to reach out to me! You can contact me by sending me a message in the comments section further down the page. I will try my best to answer as soon as possible! You might reach me even faster by following me on Facebook and sending me a private message. Scroll down below the recipe card to find my Follow Me on Social Media box and never miss another recipe!

Finally, as I stated previously, every day I will be posting a new recipe. If you miss one, don’t fret. You can find my entire collection of Christmas Recipes right here! There are over 200 Christmas recipes and counting. There’s something for everyone! Cheers!