Chai-Spiced Banana Bread

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Infused with cardamom, cinnamon, ginger and allspice, this chai-spiced banana bread is a lovely twist on basic banana bread.

chai spiced banana bread

Chai is the actual word for tea in many countries but when we say chai in the States, we’re usually referring to Masala chai, which is a smooth and calming beverage made of black tea, milk, and fragrant Indian spices. Its flavor goes beautifully with banana bread, so I’ve taken one of my favorite banana bread recipes and subtly infused it with warm chai spices like cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, and allspice.

“This is my favorite banana bread recipe on your site! I think the spices and the sour cream really make it great! I served it at a get together and got so many compliments on it…Yum!”

Cindy

What You’ll Need To Make Chai-Spiced Banana Bread

Bread ingredients including sour cream, vanilla, and eggs.

As with all banana bread recipes, use very ripe bananas for the most intense banana flavor and a texture that mashes easily.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Bowl of creamed butter and sugar.

Begin by creaming the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time.

Egg in a bowl of creamed butter and sugar.

Incorporating well after each addition.

Electric mixer in a bowl of yellow creamed mixture.

In a separate large bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, salt and spices.

Bowl of unmixed dry ingredients.

Whisk well.

Whisk in a bowl of dry ingredients.

Add the dry mixture to the butter mixture.

Wet and dry ingredients in a bowl.

Mix to blend.

 and mix to blend.

Add the mashed bananas, sour cream and vanilla.

Bananas, sour cream, and vanilla in a bowl with dough.

Mix well.

Bowl of chai-spiced banana bread dough.

Transfer the batter to a greased 9 x 5 x 3-inch loaf pan.

Loaf pan of chai-spiced banana bread dough.

Bake for 60-70 minutes. Let cool in the pan for about ten minutes.

how to make banana bread

Then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy!

chai spiced banana bread

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Chai-Spiced Banana Bread

Infused with cardamom, cinnamon, ginger and allspice, this chai-spiced banana bread is a lovely twist on basic banana bread.

Servings: One 9 x 5-inch loaf

Ingredients

  • 1 stick (½ cup) unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1½ cups all-purpose flour, spooned into measuring cup and leveled off with a knife
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ¾ teaspoon ground cardamom
  • ¾ teaspoon cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
  • ¼ teaspoon allspice
  • ¾ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup mashed very ripe bananas, from 2-3 bananas
  • ½ cup sour cream
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • ½ cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 F degrees. Grease a 9 x 5-inch loaf pan with non-stick cooking spray.
  2. In a large bowl or electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Beat in eggs one at a time, incorporating well after each addition. Scrape down sides of bowl as necessary.
  3. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, allspice, and salt. Add to the butter mixture and beat gently until just combined. Add bananas, sour cream and vanilla and mix on low speed until just combined. Gently stir in nuts if using.
  4. Pour batter into prepared loaf pan and bake until deep golden brown and cake tester inserted into center comes out clean, 60-70 minutes. Let rest in pan for about 10 minutes, then turn out onto rack to cool completely. This bread is best enjoyed warm out of the oven or toasted.
  5. Freezer-Friendly Instructions: The bread can be frozen for up to 3 months. After it is completely cooled, wrap it securely in aluminum foil, freezer wrap or place in a freezer bag. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.

Nutrition Information

Powered by Edamam

  • Per serving (12 servings)
  • Serving size: 1 slice (without nuts)
  • Calories: 232
  • Fat: 11g
  • Saturated fat: 6 g
  • Carbohydrates: 32 g
  • Sugar: 19 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 3 g
  • Sodium: 271 mg
  • Cholesterol: 56 mg

This website is written and produced for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and the nutritional data on this site has not been evaluated or approved by a nutritionist or the Food and Drug Administration. Nutritional information is offered as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. The data is calculated through an online nutritional calculator, Edamam.com. Although I do my best to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures should be considered estimates only. Varying factors such as product types or brands purchased, natural fluctuations in fresh produce, and the way ingredients are processed change the effective nutritional information in any given recipe. Furthermore, different online calculators provide different results depending on their own nutrition fact sources and algorithms. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator.

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Comments

  • Loved loved loved this banana bread. Thank you!

  • Made the Chai Spiced Banana bread yesterday for the first time. Nice flavors and very moist!

  • This was amazing! I made it over the weekend and it was absolutely fabulous!

  • I’m looking forward to trying this recipe, sounds very good and moist.

  • I’ve had this recipe bookmarked ever since you published it. Now I have the ripe bananas to make it with and here we go!

  • This Chai Banana Bread recipe was delicious. I made a homecooked meal every Sun. for Mom (who is bed-ridden). She loved the Bread…gave her half the loaf. Thanks so much, Jenn, for your great and easy recipes.

  • I made the chai banana bread yesterday and it is wonderful. Great flavors and very moist.

  • I absolutely love this twist on a beloved family favorite. The seasoning is just right! My hubby, who is not a fan of chai tea, gobbled it up!
    I know oven temps vary, but I will go with 65 or 70 minutes baking time next time I make this. I wooden pick tested it at 60 and the pick came out clean, but as it cooled it sunk a little. (Still totally edible, though!)
    Thanks, Jenn, for another winner!

  • This was beyond amazing!! I have this recipe on my fridge to share with friends when they come over.

    • — Emily Pedersen
    • Reply
  • Chai spices are a nice addition to the standard banana bread.

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