Dark Rum-Spiced Banana Bread with Toasted Walnuts
Moist banana bread enriched with dark rum and warm spices, studded with toasted walnuts for a delightful crunch. This caribbean-inspired desserts ready in about 75 minutes layers dark rum, unsalted butter, melted, granulated sugar into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 8, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 cup (about 2 large bananas) ripe bananas, mashed
- 1/4 cup dark rum
- 1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup toasted walnuts, chopped
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan and set aside.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, whisk together 1 cup mashed ripe bananas, 1/4 cup dark rum, 1/3 cup melted unsalted butter, 3/4 cup granulated sugar, and 1 large egg until smooth and combined.
- Step 3: In a separate bowl, sift together 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tsp baking soda, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg, and 1/2 tsp salt.
- Step 4: Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the banana mixture until just combined. Gently fold in 1/2 cup chopped toasted walnuts.
- Step 5: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
- Step 6: Bake for 55-65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and the top is golden brown.
- Step 7: Allow to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Dark Rum-Spiced Banana Bread with Toasted Walnuts take to make?
Total time is about 75 minutes (15 min prep + 60 min cook). Most home bakers find this fits a weekend afternoon; chill or store as the recipe directs before serving.
How do I store leftover Dark Rum-Spiced Banana Bread with Toasted Walnuts?
Cool fully before storing. Most baked desserts keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 2–3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Cream- or custard-based desserts must go in the fridge within 2 hours; reheat gently or serve cold per the recipe.
Can I substitute ingredients in Dark Rum-Spiced Banana Bread with Toasted Walnuts?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Dark Rum-Spiced Banana Bread with Toasted Walnuts for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 8 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 8). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Dark Rum-Spiced Banana Bread with Toasted Walnuts?
Caribbean desserts like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
