Ingredients
Bread
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon lavender extract
- 4 medium ripe bananas, mashed
Lavender Glaze
- 1 ¼ cups powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon lavender extract
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
- 2 ½ tablespoons milk
- A drop of light pink or purple food coloring
- Optional: culinary lavender flowers
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 6-cup loaf pan with nonstick baking spray to ensure the bread doesn’t stick.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a small bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt until well combined.
- Combine wet ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk the melted butter and brown sugar together until smooth. Add the lightly beaten eggs, vanilla extract, and lavender extract, whisking until fully incorporated. Stir in the mashed bananas until evenly distributed.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients: Gently fold the dry flour mixture into the wet ingredients until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the bread tender.
- Bake the bread: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan, spreading evenly. Bake for 55 to 60 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the bread cool in the pan for 15 minutes before carefully inverting it onto parchment paper to cool completely.
- Prepare the lavender glaze: In a bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, vanilla extract, lavender extract, heavy cream, milk, and a drop of food coloring (if using) until smooth and pourable. Adjust thickness by adding more milk 1 teaspoon at a time if needed.
- Glaze and garnish: Drizzle the lavender glaze evenly over the cooled banana bread. If desired, sprinkle a teaspoon of culinary lavender flowers on top to enhance the floral aroma and presentation.
Notes
- Do not overmix the batter to avoid a dense bread.
- Use ripe bananas with plenty of brown spots for maximum sweetness and moisture.
- The lavender extract gives a subtle floral flavor; adjust quantity to taste but avoid overpowering the bread.
- The glaze can be made thicker or thinner depending on your preference by adjusting milk quantities.
- Store the bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to one week.
- Freeze leftover banana bread slices for up to 2 months; thaw before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Baking
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
