Description
This banana split banana bread is a delightful twist on classic banana bread, incorporating crushed pineapple and maraschino cherries to mimic the flavors of a banana split dessert. Moist and flavorful, it features chopped almonds and chocolate chips for added texture and sweetness, making it a perfect treat for breakfast, snack, or dessert lovers.
Ingredients
Scale
Wet Ingredients
- ½ cup softened butter
- ¼ cup sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- 2 cups mashed bananas (about 3 small bananas)
- 1 8 oz can crushed pineapple, drained
- 6 oz chopped and drained maraschino cherries
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Add-ins
- ⅓ cup chopped almonds
- ½ cup chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly spray a 9 x 5 inch loaf pan with non-stick spray and set it aside to get ready for the batter.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the softened butter with both the granulated and brown sugars until the mixture becomes creamy and smooth, ensuring even sweetness throughout.
- Add Eggs: Incorporate the eggs one at a time into the butter and sugar mixture, beating well after each addition to maintain a smooth batter.
- Mix in Fruits: Add the mashed bananas, drained crushed pineapple, and chopped and drained maraschino cherries to the wet ingredients. Stir gently to combine all the fruity flavors evenly.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. This ensures even distribution of the leavening agent and seasoning.
- Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients in the stand mixer. Mix until just combined to avoid overworking the batter, which could make the bread dense.
- Add Nuts and Chocolate Chips: Fold in the chopped almonds and chocolate chips carefully to distribute them evenly without crushing the mix-ins.
- Pour and Bake: Pour the prepared batter into the greased loaf pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Bake in the preheated oven for 60-65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool and Serve: Once baked, remove the bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. Slice and enjoy your banana split banana bread!
Notes
- Ensure the pineapple and cherries are well drained to prevent a soggy batter.
- Use ripe bananas for the best flavor and natural sweetness.
- Check the bread around 60 minutes to avoid overbaking; oven temperatures may vary.
- For a nut-free version, omit the almonds.
- Store leftover banana bread wrapped tightly at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to a week.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 60-65 minutes
- Category: Baking
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: banana split banana bread, banana bread recipe, pineapple banana bread, cherry banana bread, chocolate chip banana bread, almond banana bread, dessert bread, baked banana bread
