Tropical Walnut Banana Bread
This Tropical Walnut Banana Bread combines the rich flavors of ripe bananas and sweet crushed pineapple, all beautifully balanced with buttery walnuts and a hint of cinnamon. Originally a recipe that called for too much vanilla, I've tweaked the recipe to perfection, creating a moist and flavorful quick bread that delights both the palate and the senses. Perfect as a breakfast treat, an afternoon snack, or a dessert, this versatile recipe can be made into delicious loaves or muffins, making it an ideal choice for sharing at gatherings or enjoying at home.
35
Servings
114
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
butter
1 cup (softened (2 sticks))
sugar
2 2/3 cups (granulated)
honey
1/4 cup (raw or pure)
eggs
3 (large, beaten)
vanilla extract
1 teaspoon (pure)
ripe bananas
4 (mashed)
crushed pineapple
1 (20 ounce) can (with juice)
flour
4 1/2 cups (all-purpose)
chopped walnuts
1 cup (lightly toasted, if desired)
cinnamon
3 1/2 teaspoons (ground)
baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons (baking)
salt
1/2 teaspoon (table salt)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9x5 inch loaf pans, or line muffin tins with paper liners for easier removal.
2
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and honey together until creamy and well-combined.
3
Add in the beaten eggs and vanilla extract to the mixture, blending until smooth.
4
Gently fold in the mashed bananas and crushed pineapple (including the juice) until just combined.
5
In a separate, larger bowl, whisk together the flour, ground cinnamon, baking soda, and salt until evenly mixed.
6
Pour the wet banana mixture into the dry ingredients, using a spatula or spoon to combine them until just mixed. Be careful not to overmix.
7
Finally, fold in the chopped walnuts, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the batter.
8
Divide the batter between the prepared muffin cups, filling each about 2/3 full, and then distribute any remaining batter into the loaf pans.
9
Bake the muffins for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The loaf pans will need approximately 1 hour to bake.
10
Allow the muffins and loaves to cool in the pans for about 10 minutes before removing them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Nutrition Information
5.7g
Fat
17.1g
Carbs
1.4g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Tropical Walnut Banana Bread?
It is a moist and flavorful quick bread that combines ripe bananas, sweet crushed pineapple, buttery walnuts, and a hint of cinnamon.
What makes this banana bread tropical?
The inclusion of a 20-ounce can of crushed pineapple, including the juice, gives this bread its signature tropical flavor profile.
How many loaves does this recipe make?
This recipe is designed to yield two 9x5 inch loaf pans, or a combination of loaves and muffins.
Can I make muffins instead of loaves?
Yes, the batter is versatile and can be used to make muffins by using paper liners in muffin tins.
What is the oven temperature for baking?
The oven should be preheated to 350°F (175°C) before baking.
How long do the muffins need to bake?
Muffins should bake for approximately 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
How long do the loaf pans take to bake?
The 9x5 inch loaf pans will need approximately 1 hour in the oven.
Do I need to drain the pineapple juice?
No, you should include the juice from the crushed pineapple can as it adds moisture and flavor to the bread.
What kind of butter is required?
The recipe calls for 1 cup (2 sticks) of softened butter.
How many bananas are used in this recipe?
You will need 4 ripe bananas, which should be mashed before being added to the batter.
What type of honey should I use?
The recipe recommends 1/4 cup of raw or pure honey for sweetness.
Should I toast the walnuts?
Toasting the 1 cup of chopped walnuts is optional but recommended if you want a deeper nutty flavor.
How should I prepare the baking pans?
You should grease and flour the loaf pans, or line muffin tins with paper liners for easier removal.
What amount of vanilla extract is used?
The recipe uses 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract, which was tweaked from an earlier version to achieve the perfect flavor balance.
How many servings does this recipe produce?
The total recipe yields approximately 35 servings.
What is the calorie count per serving?
Each serving contains approximately 114 calories.
How much sugar is in this banana bread?
The recipe requires 2 2/3 cups of granulated sugar.
What type of flour is recommended?
The recipe calls for 4 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour.
How much cinnamon is added to the batter?
The recipe uses 3 1/2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon for a warm, spiced flavor.
What is the fat content per serving?
Each serving contains approximately 5.7g of fat.
How many carbohydrates are in a single serving?
There are 17.1g of carbohydrates per serving.
How much protein is in each serving?
Each serving provides about 1.4g of protein.
Can I overmix the batter?
You should be careful not to overmix; combine the wet and dry ingredients until just mixed for the best texture.
How do I know when the bread is finished baking?
The bread is done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
When should I add the walnuts to the mixture?
The chopped walnuts should be folded in at the very end to ensure even distribution throughout the batter.
How full should I fill the muffin cups?
Fill each muffin cup about 2/3 full with the batter.
How long should the bread cool in the pan?
Allow the loaves and muffins to cool in the pans for about 10 minutes before moving them.
Where should I place the bread to finish cooling?
Remove the bread from the pans and place it on a wire rack to cool completely.
Is this recipe suitable for sharing at gatherings?
Yes, because it makes a large batch of loaves or muffins, it is ideal for sharing at gatherings or enjoying at home.
Can this bread be served as a dessert?
Absolutely, its sweet tropical flavors and moist texture make it a perfect breakfast treat, snack, or dessert.