Maple Pecan Banana Bread

This amazing maple pecan banana bread features some crunchy pecans and a creamy maple icing with a hint of salt to cut the extra sweetness. A delicious fall treat to indulge on a chilly day.

Remember my Buttermilk Banana Bread, aka the best banana bread out there? With other 400 reviews and counting, this incredibly moist recipe has proven success. Now I’ve upgraded it with a slightly different version, featuring pecans, maple syrup, and an irresistible maple icing.

Let me guide you through the steps and help you level up your banana bread game. The banana bread is perfectly moist, not too sweet, with hints of crunchy pecans here and there. The sweet and salty maple icing on top makes it extra delicious, with strong and complex aromas brought by the maple syrup.

Why you’ll love this maple pecan banana bread

• A straightforward banana bread recipe, simply the best!
• Some crunchy pecans to contrast with an overall super moist banana bread.
• A sweet and salty maple icing – to die for!

Ingredients for pecan banana bread

They’re pretty much the same ingredients as the ones I use for my classic banana bread recipe, except that I lowered the quantity of sugar as the maple icing is already really sweet. Also, I swapped walnuts for pecans and added more of them. Here’s what you need for this recipe:

• 3 medium bananas, very ripe.
• All-purpose flour + baking powder + baking soda + salt. Cinnamon is optional but recommended.
• Sugar + maple syrup. I lowered the quantity of sugar I use in my classic banana bread and added just a few spoonfuls of maple syrup.
• Egg. Together with mashed bananas, the egg acts as a biding agent.
• Butter. Use it softened, not melted.
• Buttermilk. Buttermilk is what makes this banana bread super moist. Read the recipe note to learn how to make buttermilk from scratch.

Let’s talk about this maple icing

The thick and creamy maple icing is what makes this banana bread so delicious. It’s easy to make with just 3 simple ingredients, and salt. Start with melting butter and maple syrup in a saucepan, then whisk in the sifted confectioners’ sugar and a pinch of salt. It’s important to sift the confectioners’ sugar before using it helps prevent lumps in the icing.

Pro tips to make the maple icing:

• Add a pinch of salt, to cut the extra sweetness of the maple syrup. Alternatively, you can use salted butter but I find that it works best with just a pinch of salt.
• Use the maple icing quickly after making it, as it tends to harden quickly. If this happens, place it in the microwave for a few seconds until soft again.
• Let cool slightly before using, and make sure you pour it over a completely cooled banana bread.
• Pour over the banana bread, avoiding the extremities, as the icing will slowly go other the edges anyway.

Can I use the maple icing for other purposes? Absolutely! You can use it to ice donuts, on top of a cake (think yogurt cake for instance, but also pumpkin bread, double chocolate banana bread, etc.), but also cookies, muffins and madeleines.

How to store this banana bread?

Because of the icing, you want to keep this banana bread in a cool place. Wait until it cools down completely, then wrap it in plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator, either sliced or whole (I prefer sliced). You can also freeze it, sliced and placed in a sealed airtight bag for up to 3 months.

More banana breads for you to try:

• The Ultimate Buttermilk Banana Bread
• Olive Oil Chocolate Chip Banana Bread
• Double Chocolate Greek Yogurt Banana Bread
• Hazelnut Chocolate Chunk Banana Bread
• VEGAN Banana Bread
• GLUTEN-FREE Banana Bread

Maple Pecan Banana Bread

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• Author: Delphine Fortin
• Prep Time: 45 mins
• Cook Time: 50 mins
• Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
• Yield: 1 loaf 1x
• Category: Quick breads
• Diet: Vegetarian

This amazing maple pecan banana bread features some crunchy pecans and a creamy maple icing with a hint of salt to cut the extra sweetness.

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Ingredients

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For the pecan banana bread:

• 1 ½ cup (180g) all-purpose flour
• ¾ teaspoon baking powder
• ¾ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 pinch of salt
• ⅓ cup (40g) pecans, chopped
• ¼ cup (60g) unsalted butter, softened at room temperature
• ⅔ cup (135g) sugar
• 2 Tablespoons maple syrup
• 1 large egg
• 3 very ripe bananas
• ½ cup (120ml) buttermilk* (or substitute 1 Tablespoon fresh lemon juice + 1/2 cup milk)

For the maple icing:

• 3 Tablespoons (45g) unsalted butter
• ½ cup (120ml) pure maple syrup
• 1 ¾ cup (195g) confectioners’ sugar, sifted
• 1 pinch salt

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Grease bottom and edges of a 9×5-inch (23×13 cm) loaf pan. Set aside.
2. For the banana bread, sift flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and salt together in a large mixing bowl. Add pecans and set aside.
3. In a separate bowl, cream butter and sugar. Mix in the egg. Puree the bananas with a fork and add them to the mixture. Pour in maple syrup, buttermilk, and stir.*
4. Add dry ingredients, alternating until incorporated. Do not over mix.
5. Bake for about 50-55 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Remove from the oven and let cool for 10 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack and cool completely, about 2 hours.
6. For the maple icing, melt butter and maple syrup together in a small saucepan over low heat, whisking occasionally. Once butter has melted, remove from heat and whisk in the sifted confectioners’ sugar, and salt. Let cool down for 3-4 minutes, then pour over the banana bread. The icing quickly thickens, so feel free to reheat in the microwave or on the stove if needed. Allow about 30 minutes for the maple icing to set and harden.

Notes

* Make your own buttermilk is very easy. Just measure one Tablespoon of fresh lemon juice, and cover with milk until you reach the ½ cup level. Give a good stir, then let sit for 5 minutes before using.

Bananas, Cakes, Fall, Fruit Desserts, Loaves, Nuts, Thanksgiving, Winter

Did you make this recipe?

Lastly, if you make this Maple Pecan Banana Bread, be sure to leave a comment and give this recipe a rating, letting me know how you liked it. And of course, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Thank you and enjoy!