Spiced Pumpkin Banana Bread with Orange Zest and Rum
This pumpkin banana bread combines the moist, tender crumb of a classic quick bread with festive flavors like orange zest, cinnamon, and a splash of spiced rum. The batter is mixed and baked until golden, resulting in a slightly dense texture with a crunchy sugar crust on top. Its appearance is a warm, inviting loaf with a lovely rise and vibrant citrus flecks throughout.
Equipment
- Mixing bowls
- Whisk
- Rubber Spatula
- Loaf Pan
- Oven
Ingredients
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour sifted
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg use sparingly
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar tightly packed
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter melted and cooled slightly
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup pumpkin puree preferably canned
- 2 small ripe bananas mashed
- 2 tbsp orange zest
- 2 tbsp spiced rum
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a standard loaf pan.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the sifted flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until evenly combined.
- In a separate bowl, stir together the granulated sugar, light brown sugar, and melted butter until smooth and fragrant.
- Add the eggs one at a time to the butter mixture, whisking well after each addition to develop a smooth batter.
- Mix in the pumpkin puree, mashed bananas, orange zest, and spiced rum until the mixture is uniform and slightly fluffy.
- Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture with a spatula, just until combined and no dry streaks remain.
- Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan, smoothing the top with a spatula. Sprinkle a little sugar on top for a crunchy crust.
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and the loaf is golden brown.
- Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes to set, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Once cooled, slice thickly to reveal the moist crumb flecked with orange zest and specks of cinnamon.
- Serve slices on their own or with a generous smear of butter for a delightful treat.
Notes
Ensure not to over-mix once the dry ingredients are added to keep the bread tender. Feel free to add chopped nuts or dried fruit for extra texture.