Gingerbread Banana Bread Recipe

If you love sweet, spiced treats that bring cozy vibes right into your kitchen, I’m thrilled to share this absolutely delightful Gingerbread Banana Bread Recipe with you. This isn’t just any banana bread — it’s a perfect blend of classic gingerbread spices with the yummy moistness of ripe bananas. I promise, once you try this, it’ll become your new go-to for holidays or whenever you crave that warm, comforting slice of heaven.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

This Gingerbread Banana Bread Recipe combines pantry staples with a few special touches that give it that signature holiday warmth. You’ll want to look for ripe bananas (the browner, the better!) and real molasses for the depth of flavor.

• Cinnamon Sugar: Coats the pan to create a subtle caramelized crust on the loaf’s edges.
• Unsalted Butter: Use softened butter to get a creamy batter texture; unsalted lets you control the salt perfectly.
• Dark Brown Sugar: Adds moistness and a subtle molasses flavor that pairs beautifully with the gingerbread spices.
• Vanilla Extract: Brightens the flavor and balances the warm spices.
• Eggs: Bind the bread and add richness—make sure they’re room temperature.
• Mashed Bananas: The star ingredient providing natural sweetness, moisture, and texture.
• Sour Cream: Keeps the bread extra moist and tender, helping that perfect crumb.
• Molasses: The backbone of gingerbread flavor; don’t substitute with blackstrap molasses unless you like it extra bitter.
• All-Purpose Flour: The base that holds everything together—measure carefully to avoid dry bread.
• Baking Soda: Gives the bread a lovely rise and ensures it’s light, not dense.
• Salt: Enhances all the sweet and spice notes.
• Cinnamon, Ground Ginger, Nutmeg, Ground Allspice: Classic gingerbread spices that transform this into a holiday superstar.
• Powdered Sugar & Milk (for glaze): A simple sweet topping that sets beautifully and makes your loaf pop visually.
• Holiday Sprinkles: Optional, but boy do they make this festive and fun!

Variations

I love tweaking this Gingerbread Banana Bread Recipe depending on the occasion or what I have on hand, and you’ll find it’s pretty forgiving and flexible, too.

• Nutty Addition: Adding chopped walnuts or pecans gives the bread a delightful crunch — plus some extra holiday charm.
• Vegan Swap: Use flax eggs and coconut yogurt instead of eggs and sour cream to share this cozy bread with vegan friends.
• Gluten-Free Version: Swap the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free blend and make sure to check baking soda freshness for best rise.
• Extra Spicy: If you adore bold spices, try increasing the ground ginger and cinnamon by a half teaspoon each for that zing!

How to Make Gingerbread Banana Bread Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Pan & Oven

This step is crucial for that lovely crust texture. Preheat your oven to 350°F and spray a 9×5 loaf pan with nonstick spray. Then sprinkle the pan evenly with cinnamon sugar — don’t skip this trick! I discovered that it adds a subtle crunch and a sweet edge that really elevates the bread.

Step 2: Cream Butter & Sugar

Beat the softened butter and dark brown sugar together until it’s smooth and creamy. This mix creates a base that traps air, giving your bread a tender texture. Using a stand mixer or hand mixer makes this much easier, but a good whisk and some muscle will work too.

Step 3: Add the Wet Ingredients

Next, mix in your vanilla extract, eggs, mashed bananas, sour cream, and molasses. When I first made this, I didn’t have molasses and left it out—big mistake! That molasses brings the signature gingerbread depth, so don’t skip it.

Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients & Mix

In a separate bowl, whisk together your flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and allspice. Add these dry ingredients to your wet mix and fold gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix—this keeps the bread fluffy and tender instead of dense.

Step 5: Bake & Cool

Pour the batter into your prepared pan and bake for 65-70 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when a toothpick inserted near the center comes out mostly clean with just a few moist crumbs. I always start checking around 60 minutes to avoid overbaking—every oven is a bit different! Once out, let it cool for 10 minutes in the pan, then transfer to a wire rack or plate to cool completely.

Step 6: Glaze & Decorate

Mix powdered sugar and milk together until smooth, then drizzle or spread over the cooled bread. If you want to get festive, add holiday sprinkles right away so they stick beautifully. This glaze not only looks pretty but adds just the right amount of sweetness to balance the spices.

How to Serve Gingerbread Banana Bread Recipe

Garnishes

I usually top mine simply with the powdered sugar glaze and a handful of colorful holiday sprinkles because it just adds that joyful pop. Sometimes, I dust a pinch of cinnamon on top just before serving for an extra aromatic highlight — you’ll love the cozy aroma!

Side Dishes

This Gingerbread Banana Bread is a star all on its own, but I like pairing it with a warm cup of chai tea or even a scoop of vanilla ice cream for dessert. For brunches, a smear of cream cheese or nut butter makes each bite extra special.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday gatherings, I’ve wrapped slices in parchment paper tied with twine and a cinnamon stick — such a simple, charming way to share this treat as gifts. You can also serve it on a festive platter with fresh cranberries or orange zest for that added seasonal flair.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually wrap leftover bread tightly in plastic wrap and store it at room temperature for up to 3 days. Because of the moist ingredients, it stays soft and delicious—no drying out! If your kitchen’s warm, though, I keep it in an airtight container to hold freshness.

Freezing

This Gingerbread Banana Bread freezes beautifully. I slice it first, then individually wrap each piece in plastic wrap and pop them in a freezer bag. When you want a slice, just thaw it at room temp or warm it gently in the microwave or toaster oven.

Reheating

To enjoy the bread fresh-tasting, I reheat slices in the toaster oven for a few minutes until just warm. This revives the soft crumb and melts the glaze slightly, making it taste like you just baked it.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Gingerbread Banana Bread Recipe holds a special place in my heart—it’s the perfect cozy treat that feels like a warm hug in bread form. Whether you’re baking for family, friends, or just yourself, I can’t recommend this enough. Once you pull it from the oven, surrounded by those rich holiday spices and that sweet glaze, you’ll get why it’s a family favorite. So warm up that oven, grab your ripe bananas, and enjoy every delicious slice!

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