Apple Cinnamon Banana Bread

Quickbreads are always a great solution when it comes to using up fruit and getting something yummy on the table. This Apple Cinnamon Banana Bread is especially neat because it combines two favorite fruits and bakes up into one delicious bread that my whole family loves. As it notes in the recipe, the nuts are optional. Since my kids are allergic I don’t bake them, but I know a lot of people appreciate the crunch and flavor. 

There are two things that prompt me to make these bread, ripe bananas and apple picking season. It’s not unusual for me to whip up a loaf of banana bread whenever the last few bananas get a little too ripe. My kids always devour the full loaf and it’s still great for packing in lunchboxes for high schoolers and middle schoolers. We also do a lot of apple-picking the fall, which means I have a TON of apples hanging around. So, I begin to think of ways to use them up! 

I start this recipe like I would a recipe for regular banana bread. I mash up the bananas into a paste and assemble the ingredients. Then, I select the apples and cut them up to be bite size. They are stirred into the batter at the last minute. Then everything goes into the oven and I can’t tell you how heavenly the kitchen smells as the scent of this bread baking wafts through the entire house! 

I like to serve this bread right after it’s cool enough to touch. I place it right on the cooling rack and slice it up to serve. However, it’s important to note that you can cool it all the way and freeze it if you’d like. It freezes beautifully!

This bread will last for a few days in the fridge if your friends and family are restrained enough not to eat it all in one sitting. Enjoy!

 Apple Cinnamon Banana Bread 

This is a delicious take on classic banana bread. It comes together very quickly and tastes like fall in every bite. 

Ingredients: 

• 3 ripe bananas, mashed 

• 1 cup apples, peeled and diced (about 1 medium apple) 

• 1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted 

• 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed 

• 1/4 cup granulated sugar 

• 1 large egg, beaten 

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 

• 1 teaspoon baking soda 

• 1/2 teaspoon salt 

• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 

Instructions: 

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper. 

2. Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the mashed bananas and melted butter. Mix well. Then add the brown sugar, granulated sugar, beaten egg, and vanilla extract. Stir until combined. 

3. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the baking soda, salt, ground cinnamon, and flour. 

4. Combine Mixtures: Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined. Do not overmix! 

5. Add Apples: Fold in the diced apples and nuts (if using). 

6. Pour into Pan: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan, smoothing the top with a spatula. 

7. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for about 60-65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. 

8. Cool: Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely. 

9. Serve: Slice and enjoy your delicious Apple Cinnamon Banana Bread warm or at room temperature! 

Nikki Glekas is the owner of Nikki Glekas Events, a full-service catering and events company located in Stamford, CT.. To discuss further please contact team@nikkiglekascollective.com or call 203.658.8659.