Caramel Macchiato Banana Bread Recipe
This Caramel Macchiato Banana Bread combines the rich flavors of espresso, caramel, and ripe bananas to create a moist, flavorful loaf perfect for coffee lovers. Enhanced with a luscious caramel glaze, it makes a delightful treat for breakfast or dessert.
- Author: Tim
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 1 loaf (about 10-12 slices) 1x
- Category: Baking
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Bread Ingredients
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar (packed)
- 1/3 cup canola or vegetable oil
- 2 teaspoons granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup sour cream (lite or Greek yogurt as substitute)
- 1 tablespoon instant espresso granules
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- 1 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 2 medium/large or 3 small bananas)
- 1/4 cup thick caramel or salted caramel sauce
Glaze Ingredients
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 6 tablespoons light brown sugar (packed, equivalent to 1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt (optional and to taste)
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare a 9×5-inch loaf pan by spraying it thoroughly with floured cooking spray, or grease and flour it, or line it with a parchment paper sling sprayed with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the egg, light brown sugar, canola oil, granulated sugar, sour cream, instant espresso granules, and vanilla extract until combined.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Add the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt to the bowl. Stir gently until just combined, being careful not to overmix for a tender bread.
- Add Bananas: Fold in the mashed ripe bananas until evenly incorporated into the batter.
- Transfer Batter and Add Caramel: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan, smoothing the top lightly. Drizzle the thick caramel or salted caramel sauce evenly over the top, leaving a small border near the edges to prevent burning. Use a butter knife to gently swirl the caramel about 1 inch into the batter without touching the pan edges.
- Bake the Bread: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 45 to 50 minutes, or until the center is set and a toothpick inserted comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs but no wet batter.
- Cool the Bread: Allow the bread to cool in the pan on a wire rack while you prepare the glaze.
- Make the Glaze: In a small saucepan, melt the unsalted butter over medium-high heat. Add the brown sugar, vanilla extract, and optional pinch of salt. Whisk until the sugar dissolves, then reduce heat to low and simmer gently for 3 minutes, letting it bubble softly with a dimpled appearance without stirring.
- Apply the Glaze: Let the glaze cool slightly for about 5 minutes until warm. Drizzle it evenly over the banana bread either while it is still in the pan or after turning it out onto a wire rack for easier glaze application.
- Let Glaze Set: Allow the glaze to set fully on the bread for about 1 hour before slicing and serving to enjoy the perfect texture and flavor.
Notes
- Use a thick caramel sauce for best results; thin sauces can run and cause sticking or burning.
- To avoid burning caramel on the pan edges, keep the caramel drizzle away from the sides.
- You can substitute sour cream with Greek yogurt for a slight tang and added moisture.
- Ensure not to overmix batter to maintain a light, fluffy texture.
- Letting the glaze set completely ensures a rich, sticky topping.
- Store leftover banana bread wrapped tightly at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
Keywords: Banana bread, caramel banana bread, espresso banana bread, caramel macchiato bread, coffee-flavored banana bread, glazed banana bread