Brown Sugar Banana Date Bread
User Reviews
4.9
Brown Sugar Banana Date Bread
Description
Brown Sugar Banana Date Bread is a moist, flavorful quick bread combining bananas, dates, and warming spices like cinnamon and allspice. The recipe uses mashed very ripe bananas and plain yogurt mixed into a flour, brown sugar, baking soda, and date mixture, resulting in a dense yet tender loaf. The chopped dates provide chewy bits through the bread, contrasting with the soft crumb. A topping of dark brown sugar caramelizes during baking to form a crisp, sweet crust. This loaf is baked until golden and can be served warm or cooled.
The combination of light and dark brown sugars enriches the bread’s depth and texture. The use of yogurt adds moisture and a slight tang that balances the sweetness. This banana date bread works well sliced for breakfast with butter or as a snack with tea. The spices highlight the autumnal character of the loaf without overpowering the natural sweetness of banana and dates.
The batter is gently folded before baking to keep the texture tender, and baking time varies slightly by pan type, so checking doneness with a tester is important. Leftovers keep well and the sugar topping is crispest on the day baked.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour unbleached
- ¾ cup light brown sugar packed
- ¾ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground allspice
- ½ cup dates chopped
- 1 ½ cups banana about 3 bananas, well-mashed, very ripe
- ¼ cup PLAIN yogurt or sour cream
- 2 egg large
- 6 tablespoons butter melted and cooled, unsalted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract pure
- 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar for sprinkling
Instructions
- Position a rack in the lower third of the oven and preheat to 350°F. Lightly spray a 9-by-5-inch loaf pan with vegetable oil spray and if using a metal loaf pan line the bottom with parchment--no need to line with parchment if using stoneware.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, light brown sugar, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, allspice, and dates; set aside.
- In a medium bowl, mix the mashed bananas, yogurt, eggs, butter, and vanilla with a fork. Using a rubber spatula, gently fold the banana mixture into the flour mixture until just combined.
- Scrape the batter into the prepared loaf pan, spreading it evenly. Sprinkle the dark brown sugar on top of the loaf. Bake for 45 to 55 minutes (or potentially longer--around 65 minutes if using stoneware), until the loaf is golden brown and a toothpick or cake tester inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean. Cool the bread in the loaf pan for 5 to 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
- Serve warm or at room temperature. Wrapped in parchment or in an airtight container, the bread will keep at room temperature for up to 4 days.
Notes
- Use about 5 large Medjool dates to yield ½ cup chopped dates; smaller varieties require more to reach the same volume.
- You can substitute chopped toasted walnuts or chocolate chips for dates if desired, or combine them for added texture.
- Dark brown sugar sprinkled on top creates a caramelized, crispy crust that softens over days but remains flavorful.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 1(9-inch) loaf (about 10 slices)
Amount Per Serving
Calories 267 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1slice | |
| Calories | 267kcal | 13% |
| Carbohydrates | 45g | 15% |
| Protein | 4g | 8% |
| Fat | 8g | 12% |
| Saturated Fat | 5g | 25% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Cholesterol | 56mg | 19% |
| Sodium | 79mg | 3% |
| Potassium | 151mg | 3% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 23g | 46% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.9
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