Unique Banana Bread Recipe
I love banana bread so much and have so many combinations including carrot banana, peanut butter apple, zucchini banana, blueberry banana, cream cheese filled, and 40+ more. But this is the first time I’ve introduced coffee, or rather espresso, and caramel into it. What was I waiting for? This is possibly my new favorite doctored-up banana bread recipe of all time. That’s a big statement for me. Since I also love caramel macchiatos, this recipe is a total winner in my book. I hoarded most of this loaf for myself. Between the espresso and the salted caramel I swirled in, you’ve got yourself an edible caramel macchiato. <— Great copycat recipe if you’re a fan. The bread is super soft, tender, extremely moist, and bursting with layers of flavor. It’s like a warm fuzzy blanket on a cold day. So comforting and satisfying.
What’s in the Caramel Banana Bread?
To make the caramel coffee banana bread recipe, you’ll need:
Egg Light brown sugar Oil Granulated sugar Sour cream Instant espresso granules Vanilla extract All-purpose flour Baking and baking soda Salt Bananas Caramel sauce Unsalted butter
How to Make Caramel Banana Bread
I used my go-to jumping off point banana bread recipe and added instant espresso granules to the batter. I buy the espresso at my regular grocery store and use it often in chocolate cake and brownies because it enhances the flavor of chocolate. It infuses the banana bread with a lovely coffee flavor. It’s present without being overpowering or too intense. Sometimes coffee-based desserts can pack too much of a punch for me but this one is not like that. The batter comes together like your typical banana bread. The only extra step is that you need to swirl a bit of caramel sauce into the top of the bread just before it goes into the oven. Once baked, I finished the bread with a boiled brown sugar glaze. How I love boiled frosting. It only takes 3 minutes to make and really elevates the bread to the next level. As in, you have to make it.
Can I Use Ground Coffee Instead?
No, you must use INSTANT espresso granules. If you use regular ground coffee, your caramel banana bread will have a sandy texture. The instant espresso granules dissolve into the batter and infuse the loaf with a subtle coffee flavor.
Tips for Making a Caramel Coffee Banana Bread
Be very careful when swirling the caramel sauce into the top of the banana bread. You want to leave a margin around the edges of the loaf because if the caramel touches the edges or the bottom of the pan, it will likely burn and the bread will stick. If necessary (it wasn’t for me), tent the pan with a sheet of foil draped loosely over it at the 30- to 35 minute-mark to prevent the top and sides from becoming overly browned before the center cooks through. Note that the glaze needs time to set before you can safely slice into the caramel banana bread. If you slice the bread while the glaze is still warm, it will run right off the loaf.
More Unique Banana Bread Recipes:
ALL OF MY BANANA BREAD RECIPES! Tried this recipe? Leave a review! Consider leaving a 5 star rating if you’ve made and loved one of my recipes! Cream Cheese-Filled Banana Bread – Banana bread that’s like having cheesecake baked in! Soft, fluffy, easy and tastes ahhhh-mazing!
Six-Banana Banana Bread — Yes, 6 bananas in 1 loaf means it’s super soft, moist, and robust banana flavor! Now you know what to do with all your ripe bananas!
Brown Sugar Blueberry Banana Bread — Super moist blueberry banana bread made with Greek yogurt and dark brown sugar. Smear some homemade blueberry butter onto a slice of this blueberry brown sugar banana bread and prepare to fall in love!
The Best Strawberry Banana Bread — This strawberry bread is packed with fresh, juicy strawberries in every bite! This is an easy, no-mixer quick bread recipe you’re going to love!
Carrot Banana Bread — EASY, no-mixer, super soft banana carrot bread that reminds me of carrot cake but healthier!! Great Easter brunch idea or spring baked good!
Zucchini Banana Bread — This zucchini banana bread is so soft, tender, uber-moist, dense enough to be satisfying, but still light! It’s just sweet enough to taste like a dessert and not like you’re eating vegetables.
Cinnamon Sugar Streusel Banana Bread – Super SOFT tender banana bread that’s impossible to resist!! The crispy, crumbly, streusel topping makes a good thing even BETTER!!
