This copycat Starbucks banana bread is a traditional quick bread that is loved by many. It has an authentic flavor mixed with all the spices and bananas. With the addition of two nuts, the texture becomes crunchy. The ingredients are items that are probably in your kitchen cupboard. Let us see how you can create a flavourful quick bread with those items.
What is Banana bread?
Banana bread is a traditional sweet, moist, cake-like bread that mixes crushed, ripe bananas in the batter. By adding various types of nuts or dried fruits, the texture of the bread changes. The nuts would give it a crunchy texture.
Facts
Banana bread does not rely on yeast to help it rise like other bread but uses baking powder or baking soda for leavening. It has a cake-like consistency, while bread has a denser texture. The batter bakes in a loaf tin instead of a round cake tin. Though it bakes in any container, it’s best in a loaf form.
Fun fact February 23 is known as national banana bread day.
Origin
Banana bread was discovered in America in the 18th century when wives used pearlash as a leavening agent. Bananas at that time were expensive, and throwing out overripe bananas would be a waste hence the banana bread came about.
Ripe bananas rotted too quickly to travel by ships, and Central America had the most bananas and became a breakfast staple. Many desserts had bananas as a garnish or baked in puddings. During the fall of 1929, every food was precious, and no one could afford to throw away any food. By the early 1930s, Authors created recipes for quick bread, which was a way to use those overripe bananas.
On what occasion is the banana bread served?
Best served as a breakfast dessert or on any occasion that would invite a flavorful taste of cake on a table.
What pairs well with it?
They pair well with chocolate, nuts, dried fruits, and cream cheese frosting. Toast the slices and make a sandwich with bacon and cheese. Have it with a cup of coffee for breakfast.
How do the main ingredients work?
Baking soda acts as the leavening agent in the cake.
Brown sugar and cinnamon aid with the appearance of the cake. These ingredients also enhance the flavor of the finished product.
Bananas give flavor and react with the sugar and cinnamon to offer a rich brown color.
The flour helps to bind the ingredients and gives structure to the cake.
How is it done?
The process is pretty simple and is just a combination of mixing the dry ingredients with the wet. A greased and lined loaf pan is needed to pour the batter in and bake for an hour until brown or a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Do not over or under measure as this may affect the result of the cake.
Why should you make this bread?
Banana is a good source of vitamin c. The manganese content is good for skin health. The riper the banana the, more potassium is present to regulate blood pressure levels and maintain a healthy heart. Bananas also aid with digestion issues and factor out gastrointestinal problems.
Walnuts and Pecans are both rich in fiber that is hearth healthy and good for digestion problems. With these benefits, no doubt you will want to make this cake.
Key term/words
Leavening is the term for the process by which baking soda, baking powder, or yeast help to raise a cake or bread.
Pearlash is a white substance that contains potassium carbonate that has a strong alkaline reaction. It was the perfect substitute for raising agents in earlier times because of its’ chemical reactions.
Garnish is an edible item used to enhance the physical appearance of a dish or item.
Frequently asked questions
Question Does the recipe need the nuts?
Answer No, they are optional but adds crunch to the cake.
Question Can self-raising flour be used?
Answer Yes, it can. Make sure to omit the baking soda as self-raising flour has leavening agents.
The following recipe is a copycat of Starbucks banana nut bread that you will enjoy. The next time you want to run to Starbucks for a slice of banana bread, try out this recipe and tell us what you think.
Copycat Starbucks Banana Nut Bread
A soft, tender loaf of flavorful banana bread with a nutty texture in every bite.
Ingredients
- 4 large ripe bananas
- 2 cups flour
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup roughly chopped walnuts
- 1/3 cup roughly chopped pecans
- 1 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 2 tsp grounded cinnamon
- 1 tbsp pure vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp milk
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp allspice
Instructions
- Whisk the flour, cinnamon, salt, and baking soda in a mixing bowl.
- In a second mixing bowl, whisk the sugar, eggs, and vegetable oil until combined.
- Add the flour mixture to the egg mixture then add the vanilla, mashed bananas, and milk.
- Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F and grease and line a 9 by 5 inches loaf pan with parchment paper.
- Fold in the chopped walnuts in the batter and ensure all the ingredients have been mixed well.
- Transfer the batter to the prepared loaf tin and sprinkle the chopped pecans on top.
- Bake in the preheated oven for an hour until the top has brown and a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.
- Cool on a wire rack.
- Slice the loaf into 8 slices and serve.
Notes
For a more even mixing, blend the bananas with all the wet ingredients.
