Salted Caramel Banana Bread

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

If you love traditional banana bread but want to add a little extra indulgence, this Salted Caramel Banana Bread is the perfect recipe. The bread itself is rich and moist with the familiar comforting flavor of bananas, while the salted caramel swirls throughout, making every bite feel like a luxurious treat. The sprinkle of sea salt on top enhances the sweetness of the caramel and bananas, giving it that perfect balance of sweet and salty. It’s ideal for breakfast, a snack, or even dessert, and it’s guaranteed to disappear fast!

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

For the Banana Bread:

• 2-3 ripe bananas, mashed (about 1 ½ cups)

• 2 cups all-purpose flour

• 1 teaspoon baking soda

• ½ teaspoon salt

• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)

• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened

• ¾ cup granulated sugar

• ¼ cup brown sugar

• 2 large eggs

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• ½ cup sour cream or plain yogurt

• ¼ cup whole milk or buttermilk

For the Salted Caramel Swirl:

• 1/2 cup caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)

• 1 teaspoon sea salt (for sprinkling on top)

Directions

Preparing the Banana Bread:

1. Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×5-inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.

2. Mix the dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon (if using). Set aside.

3. Cream the butter and sugars: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes. You can use an electric mixer or a whisk for this.

4. Add the eggs and bananas: Beat in the eggs, one at a time, ensuring each one is fully incorporated. Stir in the mashed bananas and vanilla extract until well combined.

5. Add the dry ingredients: Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this could result in a dense bread.

6. Add the sour cream and milk: Stir in the sour cream (or yogurt) and milk until the batter is smooth. The batter should be thick but pourable.

Adding the Salted Caramel:

7. Add the caramel swirl: Pour half of the banana bread batter into the prepared loaf pan. Drizzle a couple of tablespoons of caramel sauce over the batter and swirl it gently with a knife or skewer to create a marble effect. Repeat this process with the remaining batter and caramel sauce, creating a swirled effect throughout the bread.

Baking the Banana Bread:

8. Bake: Place the loaf pan in the oven and bake for 60-70 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the bread comes out clean (a few crumbs are okay, but it shouldn’t be wet with batter).

9. Cool: Let the bread cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before removing it from the pan and transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.

10. Finish with sea salt: Once the bread is completely cool, drizzle any remaining caramel sauce over the top of the bread and sprinkle with a pinch of sea salt. This adds a perfect balance of sweet and salty to each bite.

Serving:

Slice the bread once it’s fully cooled and serve. It’s perfect for breakfast, as an afternoon snack, or even served as a dessert with a dollop of whipped cream.

Servings and Timing

• Servings: 10-12 slices

• Prep Time: 15 minutes

• Cook Time: 60-70 minutes

• Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Variations

• Chocolate Chips: Add a ½ cup of mini chocolate chips to the batter for a richer, chocolatey flavor that pairs beautifully with the caramel.

• Nuts: If you like some crunch, fold in ½ cup of chopped walnuts or pecans to the batter before baking.

• Banana Chips: Top the bread with a few banana chips before baking for an extra layer of banana flavor and texture.

• Vegan Version: Swap the eggs with flax eggs (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed + 3 tablespoons water per egg), use a dairy-free butter, and substitute the sour cream with a non-dairy alternative like coconut yogurt.

Storage/Reheating

• Storage: Store the banana bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, refrigerate it for up to a week.

• Freezing: You can freeze the bread for up to 3 months. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and foil, or store in a freezer-safe bag. To thaw, leave it at room temperature for a few hours or microwave individual slices for 15-20 seconds.

• Reheating: To reheat, simply microwave slices for 15-20 seconds or wrap in foil and bake in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for about 10 minutes.

FAQs

Can I use frozen bananas for this recipe?

Yes, frozen bananas work perfectly in this recipe! Just thaw them beforehand and drain off any excess liquid before mashing.

Can I use store-bought caramel sauce?

Yes, you can use store-bought caramel sauce for convenience. Just make sure it’s a high-quality caramel sauce, as it will be the key flavor in the bread.

Can I make this bread without the salted caramel swirl?

Yes, you can make a classic banana bread without the caramel swirl. Simply skip the caramel portion and enjoy a delicious banana bread as is, or drizzle some caramel sauce on top after baking for a less intense swirl effect.

How do I make my banana bread less sweet?

If you prefer a less sweet banana bread, reduce the amount of sugar slightly (about ¼ cup less), but be careful not to reduce it too much, as the bananas also provide sweetness.

Can I use a different nut besides pecans?

Yes, you can use walnuts, almonds, or any other nut you prefer. If you don’t like nuts, you can simply omit them from the recipe.

How can I make the bread more decadent?

For an even more indulgent bread, top each slice with a drizzle of extra caramel sauce or serve it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Can I make this bread in a muffin tin?

Yes, you can make individual muffins using the same batter. Bake them at 350°F (175°C) for about 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Can I make this bread gluten-free?

Yes, you can use a gluten-free flour blend as a substitute for the all-purpose flour. Make sure to check that the other ingredients, like caramel sauce, are also gluten-free.

How do I know when my banana bread is done?

Your banana bread is done when a toothpick or cake tester inserted into the center comes out clean, with just a few moist crumbs (not wet batter). The top should be golden brown.

Conclusion

Salted Caramel Banana Bread takes your classic banana bread to the next level with the addition of a rich caramel swirl and the perfect touch of sea salt. The combination of the sweet banana flavor, decadent caramel, and slightly salty finish creates a loaf that’s irresistible from the first bite. Whether you’re baking it for yourself or as a gift for someone else, this bread is sure to impress. Serve it warm with a cup of coffee or tea, and enjoy a delicious treat that everyone will love!

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