This Maple Walnut Banana Bread is a sugar-free quick bread, sweetened only with pure maple syrup. Its delicious banana flavor is complemented by the lightly sugared walnuts that top the loaf. This recipe definitely belongs on your list of banana breads to try!
If you've been looking for something to do with some over-ripe bananas, then you have found your final destination! Maple Walnut Banana Bread was the perfect solution for me take my mashed bananas and create a few loaves of this aromatic and delicious bread. This bread is perfect for a snack, with a cup of coffee, or even to pack up in someone's lunch box!
Why I make Maple Walnut Banana Bread
There are two main reasons I make this recipe. One, I grew up in Northern NY where maple syrup flows a lot like water in a running brook. There are plenty of maple syrup producers from my hometown. My dad made syrup for a while, and I have other family members who still make it every year. It's the best stuff in the world and if you have never tried it, you are completely missing out! I guess I would have to say maple syrup runs in my blood!
Another reason I will make a loaf or two of this bread is because Grumpy absolutely loves banana bread. And, I love that it is a sugar-free quick bread only sweetened with pure maple syrup. I am known to buy extra bananas just to let them get overripe so I can make a few loaves!
FAQ's
Yes, the type of flour you use can affect the end result. All-purpose flour is the best type to use for this banana bread. If for instance, you were to use cake flour, then you would be changing the element of the recipe and you may have a gummy result with the bread.
First of all, the top of the loaf should not be wet. If it is, it's not done. I test for doneness on the inside of the loaf by inserting a toothpick into the loaf. If it comes out clean, or with a few crumbs, I consider it done.
It is likely you over mixed it. Banana Bread is a quick bread and should be treated more like a muffin when blending the ingredients. You should u0022foldu0022 the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients. Not beat.
Related Recipes you may like
- Cherry Coconut Banana Pecan Loaf
- Classic Banana Bread
- Marbled Chocolate Banana Bread
- Pina Colada Banana Bread
- Cinnamon Sugar Blueberry Banana Bread
- Apple Walnut Coffee Cake
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📖 Recipe
Maple Walnut Banana Bread
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Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter melted
- ½ cup pure maple syrup
- 1 egg
- 3 ripe bananas mashed
- 1 teaspoon maple extract
- 3 tablespoons milk
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ⅓ cup chopped walnuts
- 1 tablespoon white sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 5x9 inch loaf pan.
- In a large bowl, mix the melted butter and maple syrup. Beat in the egg and bananas, leaving a few small chunks. Stir in the maple extract and milk.
- In a separate bowl, mix the flour, baking soda, and baking powder. Stir into the banana mixture until just moistened. Transfer to the prepared loaf pan. Mix the nuts and sugar. Sprinkle evenly over the batter.
- Bake 50 minutes in the pre-heated oven. Cool on rack for 10 minutes. Remove from pan and finish cooling. When completely cool, slice and serve.
Shelby Law Ruttan says
I make this recipe often and made it again this morning (without the nuts and sugar). One of my favorites as I love the fact its sweetened with maple syrup. It always turns out perfectly moist and delicious!
Carol says
I made a double recipe of this loaf today and I am so glad that I did. I was intrigued with the combinations and of course I am so pleased with how this all turned out. Baked up into lovely larger loaves and was a heavenly smell. The walnuts on top is so much a welcome change to having them right in the loaf. This is my new favourite banana 🍞 bread.
Joanna says
Made this tonight with few alterations...
Subbed a bit of flour (used gluten free mix) with cocoa powder, added raisins and chopped walnuts to the mix and only put a half walnut on top of each muffin (bakes quicker than a loaf and doesn't require portioning) and sprinkled a bit of coconut sugar.
YUM!
Thanks for a great recipe!
theresa says
Hi, Is it one teaspoon vanilla extract or maple extract? Because the ingredient list says vanilla extract but directions says maple extract.
Thank you!
Theresa
Shelby says
Hi Theresa, you can use either. If you use the maple, you will have a stronger maple flavor in the bread.
Sandra says
I've put vanilla extract, makes more sense. Can't see where the vinegar and milk fits in though ?
Shelby says
Hi Sandra, I'm not sure where your seeing vinegar in the recipe? It is not part of the ingredients or instructions. 🙂 Also, vanilla or maple works, but maple extract gives it a stronger maple flavor if someone likes that. Thanks for stopping by!
Anonymous says
Hey there! I just finished baking these! I made a few adaptions and wanted to share them with you. 🙂
I added 1/2c of xylitol to the wet ingredients and an extra banana. Also, I added a splash of vanilla extract.
I subbed AP flour for whole grain spelt, added 1/2c shredded coconut and 1/2c carob chips.
It made one large loaf and 3 muffins. This recipe was fantastic! Thanks for the post! 😀
Sweet and Savory says
It is interesting how many people don't like bananas but do like banana bread or banana cakes.
This looks like a good recipe to try.
Choicehow editor says
Great stuff!
Peter M says
Love these loaves with coffee and I can't imagine life without maple syrup.
Reeni♥ says
The bread looks scrumptious, love the flavors!! Chubby is so cute!! I bet he misses sleeping with Chris.
JyLnC says
This looks really good.
One of the cats we used to have didn't want to be my lap buddy either. He liked either my husband or my son unless it was dinner time.
Lisa says
This is my kind of banana bread. Love maple and walnuts.
Marjie says
The maple syrup looks like a splendid alteration to the banana bread recipe!
Joie de vivre says
Looks wonderful! I call Chubby a "man's cat" kind of cat. Our cat doesn't sit on my lap either, she barely will let me pet her, but loves my husband and sits on his lap. Who knows?
Creative One says
This recipe sounds delicious. Cute picture of Chris and Chubby. Our cat Cleo likes to sit on Randy's lap but not mine. 🙁
Tracy says
Sounds yummy! I'm always looking for new banana recipes. I just wish maple syrup wasn't so darn expensive right now!
Brilynn says
I just made banana bread too! Maple syrup sounds like a wonderful addition.
Flourchild says
I hope your arm gets better. I do love to work out and hope to do it as long as my body will let me. My mom is 71 and in great shape. She is very active and still feels good!
Your bread looks delicious!
chuck says
Maple Syrup Banana Bread sounds wonderful!
Kaitlin says
Mmm. The maple sounds like it would be outstanding in it. LOVE the kitty cat!!
Jessie says
Looks great! Love the maple syrup! (Love Chubby, too! My kitty sleeps right next to my head every single night.)
+Jessie
a.k.a. The Hungry Mouse
Robin Sue says
I never thought to sweeten my banana bread with maple syrup. Great idea! Now why won't that cat sit on your lap? Maybe you should give him some banana bread and he will love you even more!
Debbie says
Earlier this year, when my husband cleaned out my freezer, he informed me he threw away a bunch of "black" bananas I had in a ziploc bag. And also some single slices of banana bread in sandwich bags. (I was going to conduct my own taste test). Now I have no bananas (isn't that a song?) to bake with. I guess I'll have to go get some today. I want to try this.
Elyse says
I'm a bit quirky: I reaaaaally don't like bananas (and so many of my friends want to hit me when I admit this), but I do love banana bread! Throw in a bit of maple and walnuts (oh I love them), and it sounds like a delicious bread! Your pictures have me convinced that I have to make this, especially because my boyfriend has a weakness for all things banana. I'd also love to see a post about your coconut banana bread, as coconut is a real weakness of mine!
Mari at Once Upon a Plate says
Shelby, you're killin' me with your fabulous banana bread & cake recipes.
For the first time in my life I'm WISHING the bananas would hurry up and ripen so I can bake with them. 🙂
Thanks for searching the recipes out and sharing them with us. You're a gem.
CUTE picture of Chris & Chubby. Sweet story, too. xo~m.
Pam says
I've never thought to add maple to banana bread - I will be trying this sometime, it looks fantastic.
Chubby looks like my old cat Mama. Thankfully, you have another kitty who climbs all over you!
Barbara Bakes says
Shelby I can't believe the cat likes boys better than girls! Your potatoes last night were a huge hit. I'll definitely be making them again!
Bob says
What a coincidence, I just had banana bread! That one looks wicked good.
Kim says
It is great. I made some for our coffee shop at the University!
CookiePie says
That bread sounds fabulous!! I love maple syrup in anything -- and banana bread is so delicious!