Rum-Soaked Banana Bread with Spiced Molasses
Moist banana bread infused with dark rum and molasses, enhanced by warm spices for a rich and flavorful dessert or snack. This general-inspired desserts ready in about 85 minutes layers medium, mashed ripe bananas, dark rum, molasses 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 10, 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
- 3 medium, mashed ripe bananas
- 1/4 cup dark rum
- 3 tbsp molasses
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup (1 stick), melted unsalted butter
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan with butter.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, whisk together 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tsp baking soda, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg, and 1/2 tsp salt.
- Step 3: In a separate bowl, combine 3 mashed ripe bananas, 1/4 cup dark rum, 3 tbsp molasses, 1/2 cup melted unsalted butter, 3/4 cup granulated sugar, 2 large eggs, and 1 tsp vanilla extract; whisk until smooth.
- Step 4: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir gently until just combined; do not overmix to keep the bread tender.
- Step 5: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and bake for 60-70 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Step 6: Let the banana bread cool in the pan for 15 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Step 7: Slice and serve plain or with butter for a rum-infused treat.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Rum-Soaked Banana Bread with Spiced Molasses take to make?
Total time is about 85 minutes (15 min prep + 70 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 Rum-Soaked Banana Bread with Spiced Molasses?
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 Rum-Soaked Banana Bread with Spiced Molasses?
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 Rum-Soaked Banana Bread with Spiced Molasses for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 10 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 10). 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 Rum-Soaked Banana Bread with Spiced Molasses?
General 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.
