Description
A quick and easy weeknight dessert featuring moist banana bread infused with warm chai spices and topped with a tangy cream cheese frosting. Perfect for using overripe bananas.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 large overripe bananas (about 1.5 cups mashed)
- 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup white sugar
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups (190g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons chai spice blend (or 1 tsp cinnamon, 1/2 tsp ginger, 1/2 tsp cardamom, 1/4 tsp cloves, pinch of black pepper)
- 4 oz (115g) full-fat brick-style cream cheese, softened
- 2 tablespoons (30g) butter, softened
- 1 cup (120g) powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Optional: 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
- Optional: 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan and line the bottom with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, mash the overripe bananas with a fork until smooth with a few small lumps.
- Add the melted butter to the bananas and stir to combine. Add brown and white sugars, whisking vigorously for about a minute until sugar starts to dissolve.
- Add eggs and vanilla extract, whisking until the mixture is smooth and slightly frothy.
- Stir in flour, baking soda, salt, and chai spice blend. Mix gently just until the flour disappears. Do not overmix. Fold in nuts or chocolate chips if using.
- Pour batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
- Bake for 50-60 minutes. At 45 minutes, check if the top is browning too fast and tent with foil if necessary. The bread is done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- While the bread cools, beat the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar, lemon juice, and vanilla, beating until fluffy and spreadable.
- Once the bread is completely cool, spread the frosting evenly over the top. Slice and serve.
Notes
Ensure bananas are very ripe (black peels) for maximum sweetness and moisture. Do not overmix the batter to avoid a dense texture. Ensure cream cheese and butter are at room temperature for smooth frosting. The bread must be completely cool before frosting to prevent the cream cheese from melting.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50-60 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 28
- Sodium: 220
- Fat: 15
- Saturated Fat: 8
- Carbohydrates: 42
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 4
Keywords: banana bread, chai spice, cream cheese frosting, fall dessert, weeknight dessert, easy baking, overripe bananas