With ripe bananas, warming spices and molasses, this banana gingerbread loaf is perfect for the holiday season! Top this gingerbread with a simple icing sugar glaze, some freshly grated orange zest and candied ginger for one special treat. Great on Christmas morning with coffee, tea or your favourite holiday beverage.
The holidays are fast approaching, way faster than I kinda want it to!
Every year I say to myself that I’m not going to do as much baking.
What happens every year?
I bake tons!
Hubby and I don’t eat a ton of sweets, so we always have lots leftover.
The great thing about this banana gingerbread loaf, though, is that it’s not overly sweet (especially if you omit the glaze).
We can easily sit down with a thick slice with a cup of tea or coffee almost every day and never tire of it.
No lie, I can totally enjoy this gingerbread loaf year-round, just like my gingerbread cake!
Why We Love Banana Gingerbread
- It’s a great way to use overripe bananas
- You can make it ahead and enjoy the next day (hello Christmas morning!)
- Prepped in about 10 minutes (the hardest thing to do is waiting for it to bake)
- No mixer needed. A whisk, spatula or spoon works good here.
- Makes your home smell amazing as it bakes!
- Great homemade food gift for the holidays
- Of course, it tastes delicious
How to Make It
Full details on how to make this banana gingerbread are in the recipe card below, but here are the basics:
- In a bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients: flour, baking soda, salt and spices.
- In another bowl, mash the bananas.
- To the bananas, add eggs, oil, molasses and brown sugar.
- Whisk the banana/egg mixture so that everything is well combined.
- Add the flour mixture to the banana mixture and whisk to combine.
- Pour gingerbread batter into a prepared pan.
- Bake and cool.
- Glaze and garnish with orange zest and candied ginger (if you like).
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Do I Have to Glaze?
Not at all!
I’ve enjoyed this gingerbread loaf with and without glaze and it’s delicious both ways.
Alternatively, you can serve with some whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.
Can I Freeze Gingerbread?
You sure can!
It’s better to freeze an unglazed gingerbread (as the glaze doesn’t look as pretty after freezing and thawing). However, you can still freeze the gingerbread if it’s glazed. No biggie, just something to keep in mind.
Wrap the cooled loaf in food plastic wrap, then wrap in aluminum foil (or just two layers of food plastic wrap). Place into a freezer-safe container. Don’t forget to label with the recipe name and date it was made.
When ready to enjoy, remove the loaf from the container (but still leave wrapped) and let thaw at room temperature.
The gingerbread loaf can be frozen for up to 3 months.
More Recipe Tips
Wait until your banana gingerbread is completely cooled before glazing. Otherwise, the glaze will absorb right into the loaf.
Speaking of glaze, you can make it as thick (or as thin) as you like. Place your icing sugar in a bowl and add a tiny bit of juice. The more you add, the thinner your glaze will be (and vice versa).
Don’t worry if you’ve made your glaze too thin or too thick. You can easily adjust that. If too thin, add more icing sugar. If too thick, add more liquid. Easy!
More Holiday Recipes You May Enjoy
- Baked Eggnog Donuts
- Gingerbread Coffee Creamer
- Chocolate Peppermint Cake
- Cookie Spread (especially the gingersnap version, perfect for the holidays!)
Hope you love this banana gingerbread recipe as much as we do!
If you try this glazed gingerbread loaf, be sure to leave a comment below. Love to hear how you enjoyed it!
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Banana Gingerbread
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (spooned into cup and levelled)
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground cloves
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¾ cup mashed bananas (from about 2 to 3 small ripe bananas)
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- ½ cup fancy molasses
- ½ cup brown sugar (packed)
- Baking spray or butter (to grease loaf pan)
Glaze
- ½ icing sugar
- 1 tablespoon orange juice
Optional Garnish
- Grated orange zest
- Chopped candied ginger
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Meanwhile, in a bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon, clove and nutmeg.
- In another bowl, mash the bananas until smooth.
- To mashed banana, add eggs, oil, molasses and sugar. Whisk together to combine.
- Slowly add the flour mixture to the banana mixture, stirring to combine. Don't overmix, but don't leave any dry flour behind.
- Grease a 9-inch x 5-inch loaf pan with baking spray or butter and line with some parchment paper (with some overhanging over the sides). Then, grease the parchment paper.
- Pour loaf mixture into the pan and bake for 45 to 53 minutes or until a wooden skewer inserted in the centre of the gingerbread comes out clean. Because pans and ovens vary, check on at the 45 minute mark).
- Once baked, allow the banana gingerbread to cool for 10 minutes in the pan before removing and allowing to fully cool on a cooling rack before glazing.
- Once cool, drizzle over glaze and garnish, if desired, with orange zest and candied ginger. Slice and serve. Enjoy!Note: Properly wrap and store cooled gingerbread in a resealable bag or airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 to 3 days or wrap and store unglazed gingerbread in a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw wrapped gingerbread at room temperature when ready to enjoy.
Glaze
- Add icing sugar to a bowl and slowly whisk in orange juice until smooth and you've reached your desired consistency. For a thicker consistency, use less orange juice. For a thinner consistency, use more orange juice.Note: If you've thinned out the glaze too much, add in a little more icing sugar until it's at the consistency you like best.
Notes
- Wait until your banana gingerbread is completely cooled before glazing. Otherwise, the glaze will absorb right into the loaf.
- Speaking of glaze, you can make as it as thick (or as thin) as you like. Place your icing sugar in a bowl and add a tiny bit of juice. The more you add, the thinner your glaze will be (and vice versa).
- Don’t worry if you’ve made your glaze too thin or too thick. You can easily adjust that. If too thin, add more icing sugar. If too thick, add more liquid. Easy!
Nutrition estimate (if provided) is based on 1 Serving.
Nutrition information (if provided) is provided as a courtesy and should be considered an estimate only. Ingredients can vary and Girl Heart Food makes no guarantees to the accuracy of this information. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
A note on times provided: appliances vary, any prep and/or cook times provided are guidelines only.
Valentina
I definitely want this with my morning coffee! What a delicious combination of flavors! Love it. 🙂 ~Valentina
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
You and me both! Thank you very much, Valentina!
Marissa
I can not resist gingerbread, Dawn. But somehow I never considered a banana version of it – sounds absolutely divine! And your pictures are gorgeous – they have me drooling!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Thank you so much, Marissa! You’re so kind! 🙂
David @ Spiced
We are the exact opposite here in our house, Dawn. We try not to bake as much…but that’s because we’ll eat it all! The curling club and Laura’s coworkers are essential pieces of the puzzle to keep everything in balance. No matter. I’m throwing caution to the wind and making this banana bread ASAP. I love banana bread. I love gingerbread. The combination sounds fan-freakin’-tastic!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
LOL! Thanks so much, David!
Katherine | Love In My Oven
So ready for all things gingerbread, Dawn! This loaf and your photos make me just want to get cozy around a fire and listen to Christmas music! So yummy!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Me too! Thank you Katherine!
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen
Bring on the gingerbread Dawn! I love that you added the bananas too. Perfect dessert or breakfast this holiday season my friend!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Thanks so much, Mary Ann! It sure is! 🙂
[email protected]
Oh that glaze! I can only imagine the aroma in the house as it bakes! A lovely Christmas morning offering, my friend! XO
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Right? Thank you Annie! XO
Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers
Lovely loaf and yes, perfect for the holidays! The smell of those spices baking is always a treat 🙂
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Definitely! Thanks Jennifer! 🙂
Kathy @ Beyond the Chicken Coop
This gingerbread looks amazing! I love that glaze, but I also love that it can be left off, because sometimes I don’t want something overly sweet. Perfect for Christmas morning!!!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
It sure is! Thank you Kathy! 🙂