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Bourbon Brown Sugar Banana Bread

Does the world really need another Banana Bread recipe? I Googled Banana Bread  recipes and came up with 8,330,000 results.  So the answer, it would seem, is no.  There are gluten free versions, some with chocolate chips and coconut, tropical versions with coconut and macadamias, some with pumpkin and streusel and those are just the ones on this site.  But, when you’ve got a freezer full of overripe bananas, the excess demands creativity and sometimes the universe smiles on your efforts.  It did for this  Bourbon Brown Sugar Banana Bread.

 


mixing batter and adding eggsmashing banana

I’ve been on a bourbon and brown sugar kick lately.  There’s just something so right about this combination.  It makes me want to kick back in a rocking chair on a wrap around porch in the Blue Ridge mountains and breathe in the crisp autumn air.  Sipping an aged finger of bourbon and snacking on this remarkable bread.  Ahhhh….

milk and bourbon finished batter

But, I live in sunny South Florida, not the Blue Ridge.  So I’ll opt for a cloudy, breezy day and the promise of cooler weather to come.  It’s the best I can do in the tropics…

adding pecans batter in pans

I actually made several renditions of this bread, before I got it just right.   The first time, I had it in two pans instead of three and it literally overflowed all over my oven like some kind of volcanic disaster movie.

cooling bread on a rack Bourbon Brown Sugar Banana Bread cooling

So I worked with the leavening agents, scaling them back a bit and got out a third loaf pan (not going to risk another overflow) and this time everything stayed in its original container.  It was also fab-dab-fabulous!  The brown sugar and bourbon add a richness that goes beyond plain old banana bread and if you let it sit a day, the bourbon flavor becomes more pronounced— I’m just sayin’.  And since this makes three generous loaves, its great for holiday entertaining, or gifting to friends and neighbors if you’re feeling charitable.  It also freezes well if you’d rather keep it all for yourself!

Bourbon Brown Sugar Banana Bread sliced Bourbon Brown Sugar Banana Bread on a board Cutting Bourbon Brown Sugar Banana Bread

 

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Bourbon Brown Sugar Banana Bread
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Bourbon Brown Sugar Banana Bread
Prep Time
25 mins
Cook Time
55 mins
Total Time
1 hrs 20 mins
 

Rich butter and brown sugar batter with a solid dose of bourbon, and crunchy toasted pecans - takes this banana bread off the charts! Makes 3 loaves - great for sharing!

Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Servings: 24
Calories: 338 kcal
Ingredients
  • 3 1/2 cups all purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • 3 sticks butter at room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon ground mace ground
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 2 1/2 cups brown sugar firmly packed
  • 5 large eggs
  • 3 bananas over ripe, mashed
  • 1/4 cup bourbon
  • 3/4 cup milk
  • 1 1/2 cups pecans toasted, chopped
Instructions
  1. Adjust oven rack to one third up from the bottom. Preheat the oven to 350°. Spray three loaf pans (8 1/4 x 4 1/2 x 2") with nonstick vegetable spray. Cut out two pieces of parchment paper to line the bottom of each pan and press into the pan. Spray the parchment with vegetable spray and set aside.
  2. In a medium bowl, sift the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Set aside.
  3. In a large mixing bowl or using a stand mixer, add the butter and beat on medium speed until light and fluffy. Add the mace and vanilla and mix in. Add the brown sugar a cup at a time until it's completely incorporated into the butter. Add eggs one at a time, beating until completely blended after each addition. Add the bananas and mix until well combined.
  4. In a 1 cup glass measuring cup measure out 3/4 cup milk and add 1/4 cup bourbon to equal one cup.
  5. On the lowest speed, alternate adding the dry ingredients with the wet ingredients in 3 additions, ending with the wet ingredients. Do not overmix, just until the ingredients are combined. Stir in the chopped toasted pecans.
  6. Divide the batter between the loaf pans.
  7. Place the loaf pans on a sheet pan and bake for 45-55 minutes or until a cake tester comes out clean. Cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then turn out the loaves onto a wire baking rack to cool completely.
Recipe Notes

Can be wrapped in plastic wrap or foil and kept refrigerated for 3-5 days or freeze (wrapped in freezer paper) for up to a month.

Nutrition Facts
Bourbon Brown Sugar Banana Bread
Amount Per Serving
Calories 338 Calories from Fat 153
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 17g 26%
Saturated Fat 8g 40%
Cholesterol 69mg 23%
Sodium 244mg 10%
Potassium 189mg 5%
Total Carbohydrates 41g 14%
Dietary Fiber 1g 4%
Sugars 24g
Protein 4g 8%
Vitamin A 8.7%
Vitamin C 1.6%
Calcium 5.9%
Iron 7.9%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

 More Easy, Tasty Quick Breads:

Bourbon Brown Sugar Banana Bread | Garlic & Zest

Bourbon Brown Sugar Banana Bread

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Comments

  15. I love this idea! And bravo for coming up with a brand new take on it! My husband loves bourbon so I bet he’s gonna beg for this. P.S. we’re in Atlanta and it’s so hot here still! I know it’s nothing like Florida but it’s still frustrating! I need some crispy fall air.

    Reply

  16. OMG I’m so happy I made this!!!!! The house smells amazing and this is not your typical banana bread! I’m so happy! Thank you for this recipe!

    Reply

  17. This is the Best! Everyone loves it and I now make double batches to freeze and give away. Thank you for this recipe.

    Reply

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