Spiced Dark Rum Banana Bread with Walnuts
Moist banana bread enriched with dark spiced rum and crunchy walnuts for a warm, aromatic twist on a classic dessert. This caribbean-inspired desserts ready in about 80 minutes layers all-purpose flour, baking soda, ground cinnamon 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 320 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 3 medium bananas) ripe bananas, mashed
- 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 unsalted butter, melted
- 3/4 cup dark brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1/4 cup dark spiced rum
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan with butter or non-stick spray.
- Step 2: In a medium bowl, whisk 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 until evenly combined.
- Step 3: In a large bowl, mix 1 cup mashed ripe bananas with 1/2 cup melted unsalted butter using a wooden spoon until smooth.
- Step 4: Stir in 3/4 cup dark brown sugar, then beat in 2 large eggs one at a time until fully incorporated.
- Step 5: Mix in 1/4 cup dark spiced rum and 1 tsp vanilla extract until evenly combined.
- Step 6: Gradually fold in the dry flour mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring just until no flour streaks remain.
- Step 7: Fold in 1/2 cup chopped walnuts evenly.
- Step 8: Pour batter into the prepared loaf pan and bake for 60-65 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Step 9: Cool the bread in the pan for 15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Spiced Dark Rum Banana Bread with Walnuts take to make?
Total time is about 80 minutes (15 min prep + 65 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 Spiced Dark Rum Banana Bread with 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 Spiced Dark Rum Banana Bread with 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 Spiced Dark Rum Banana Bread with 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 Spiced Dark Rum Banana Bread with 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.
