Jamaican Banana Bread Recipe

Yesss — Jamaican Banana Bread is a tropical twist on a classic comfort treat! Moist, flavorful, and often jazzed up with warm spices, rum, and coconut, it’s everything you love about banana bread with island vibes. 🍌🌴

🍽️ Dish Type: Sweet Bread / Dessert

🍴 Servings: 8–10 slices

🕒 Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

🌟 Flavor Profile: Warm spices, moist banana, hint of rum and coconut

🧁 Texture: Moist, rich, slightly dense

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📝 Ingredients:

• 3 ripe bananas, mashed
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup brown sugar (or half white, half brown)
• 2 large eggs
• 1¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• ½ tsp nutmeg
• ¼ cup dark rum (or sub with pineapple juice for alcohol-free)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ cup shredded coconut (optional)
• ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)

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🔥 Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5” loaf pan or line with parchment paper.
2. Mash bananas in a bowl and set aside.
3. Cream butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time.
4. Add vanilla and rum, then stir in mashed bananas.
5. In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
6. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients until just combined.
7. Fold in coconut and nuts (if using).
8. Pour batter into prepared loaf pan and bake for 55–65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
9. Let cool in the pan for 10–15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

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✅ Tips:

• Use super ripe bananas for best flavor and sweetness.
• Want extra moisture? Add ¼ cup crushed pineapple (drained).
• Store at room temp for up to 3 days or in the fridge for up to a week.

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🧊 HOW TO FREEZE JAMAICAN BANANA BREAD

✅ Freezing a Whole Loaf:

1. Cool it completely on a wire rack.
2. Wrap the entire loaf tightly in plastic wrap, then again in aluminum foil (double wrapping helps prevent freezer burn).
3. Place in a freezer-safe bag or container and label it with the date.
4. Freeze for up to 3 months.

✅ Freezing Slices (great for single servings):

1. After cooling, slice the bread.
2. Wrap each slice in plastic wrap and place in a zip-top freezer bag.
3. You can grab a slice at a time — just thaw and go!

👉 To Reheat:

• Thaw slices at room temp or microwave for about 30 seconds.
• For a whole loaf, let it thaw overnight in the fridge and bring it to room temp before serving. Toast slices for that fresh-baked feel!

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📦 STORAGE SUGGESTIONS (Not Freezing):

At Room Temp:

• Store in an airtight container or wrapped tightly in plastic wrap.
• Keeps well for up to 3 days in a cool, dry place.

In the Fridge:

• Store in an airtight container for up to 7 days.
• A quick zap in the microwave brings it back to life!

💡 Tip: If your banana bread has coconut or pineapple in it, the fridge can help extend its shelf life without affecting flavor too much.

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