Introduction
Nothing says autumn quite like the cozy aroma of warm spices wafting through your kitchen. This delightful Banana Pumpkin Streusel Quick Bread combines the sweet, rich flavor of ripe bananas with the velvety texture of pumpkin puree, creating a loaf that is truly a celebration of fall. Topped with a buttery, cinnamon-infused streusel, each slice is a blissful treat perfect for breakfast, an afternoon snack, or even dessert. Gather your ingredients and let’s create some deliciousness!
Ingredients
- 1 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 2 medium bananas)
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
For the streusel topping:
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/4 cup cold butter, cubed
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Prep Time, Cook Time, Total Time, Yield
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55-65 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10-80 minutes
- Yield: 1 loaf
Directions and Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan to ensure the bread comes out perfectly.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the mashed bananas, pumpkin puree, granulated sugar, brown sugar, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract. Mix everything together until well combined and smooth.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and ground ginger.
- Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring gently until just combined. Take care not to overmix! If you love a little crunch, fold in the chopped nuts at this stage.
- Pour the lovely batter into the prepared loaf pan, spreading it evenly.
- In a small bowl, prepare the streusel topping by combining the flour, brown sugar, cold butter, and ground cinnamon. Use a fork or a pastry cutter to blend until the mixture becomes crumbly and resembles coarse crumbs.
- Sprinkle the streusel topping generously over the batter in the loaf pan for that irresistible crunch.
- Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 55-65 minutes. Your bread is done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Once baked, let the bread cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then carefully transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing into its delightful warmth.
Notes or Tips
For an extra flavor boost, consider adding chocolate chips or dried cranberries to the batter. This bread also freezes beautifully, so you can enjoy it later—just wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and store it in an airtight container!
Cooking Techniques
When mixing the ingredients, stirring gently is key to ensuring your bread stays nice and tender. Overmixing can lead to a denser loaf, so mix just until you no longer see dry flour. Additionally, make sure your butter is cold when making the streusel topping; this helps create that delightful crumbly texture.
FAQ
Can I make this bread without eggs?
Absolutely! You can substitute the eggs with 1/4 cup of unsweetened applesauce or a flaxseed meal mixture (1 tablespoon of flaxseed meal mixed with 2.5 tablespoons of water, let it sit for a few minutes to thicken).
How do I know when the bread is fully baked?
Inserting a toothpick into the center should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs attached. If it’s too wet, give it a few more minutes in the oven.
Conclusion
This Banana Pumpkin Streusel Quick Bread is a perfect way to welcome the flavors of fall into your kitchen. The harmonious blend of banana and pumpkin, complemented by the warm spices and crunchy topping, will create a delicious treat everyone will adore. Enjoy it fresh out of the oven or toasted with a pat of butter. Happy baking!