Date & Walnut Banana Bread
Ripe bananas, chewy dates, and crunchy walnuts come together in this comforting quick bread that’s as perfect for breakfast as it is for an afternoon treat. Naturally sweet and wonderfully moist, this banana bread feels indulgent yet wholesome at the same time.
Ingredients
- Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ cup unsalted butter softened (or vegetable oil)
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 medium ripe bananas mashed (about 1 ¼ cups)
- ½ cup chopped dates pitted, Medjool or Deglet Noor
- ½ cup chopped walnuts plus extra for topping, optional
- 2 tablespoons milk or yogurt optional, for extra moisture
Instructions
- Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9x5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.
- Cream Butter & Sugar: In a large bowl, beat butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla extract.
- Add Bananas: Stir in mashed bananas until well combined.
- Combine Wet & Dry: Gently fold the dry mixture into the wet ingredients. Do not overmix.
- Fold in Dates & Walnuts: Stir in chopped dates and walnuts, making sure they’re evenly distributed.
- Transfer & Bake: Pour batter into the prepared loaf pan. Sprinkle extra walnuts on top if desired. Bake for 55–65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool & Serve: Let bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!