Maple Banana Bread

This Maple Banana Bread with Cinnamon Spice Butter brings together everything you love about homemade baking warm, fluffy texture, hints of maple sweetness, and just the right amount of spice. Using overripe bananas gives the loaf a rich, natural sweetness that complements the nutty flavor of coconut oil and the comforting warmth of cinnamon. Every bite melts in your mouth and feels like a cozy hug on a chilly morning.

What makes this recipe stand out is the addition of the whipped cinnamon spice butter trust us, it’s worth the extra step. It’s creamy, aromatic, and enhances the bread’s flavor beautifully. Whether you’re sharing it with loved ones over brunch or enjoying a slice solo with your morning coffee, this bread is sure to warm your soul. Bonus: it’s made in just one bowl!

Full Recipe:

Ingredients:

For the Bread:

• 4 very ripe bananas, mashed

• 1/3 cup melted coconut oil

• 1/2 cup pure maple syrup

• 2 large eggs

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 1 3/4 cups white whole wheat flour

• 1 teaspoon baking soda

• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

For the Cinnamon Spice Butter:

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened

• 1 tablespoon maple syrup or honey

• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

• 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg

• 1/8 teaspoon ground ginger

• Pinch of ground cloves

• Pinch of allspice

• Pinch of sea salt

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan.

2. In a large bowl, combine mashed bananas, melted coconut oil, maple syrup, eggs, and vanilla.

3. Add flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Mix until just combined.

4. Fold in chopped walnuts, if using.

5. Pour batter into the prepared loaf pan.

6. Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

7. Let bread cool in the pan for 30 minutes before slicing, or enjoy warm.

8. For the cinnamon butter: beat together all ingredients until light and fluffy.

9. Serve the bread with a generous smear of cinnamon spice butter.

Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 55 minutes | Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Kcal: 366 kcal | Servings: 8 slices

The Cozy Allure of Maple Banana Bread with Cinnamon Spice Butter

There’s something undeniably nostalgic about banana bread. The mere mention of it conjures images of a warm kitchen, the smell of ripe bananas and cinnamon swirling through the air, and the sound of a fork scraping the last crumb off a plate. It’s a staple for many households a comfort food that transcends generations. But not all banana bread is created equal. The Maple Banana Bread with Cinnamon Spice Butter, a delightful twist on the classic, captures all that homey goodness and elevates it with subtle, thoughtful ingredients that bring new life to a timeless recipe.

This version, inspired by Half Baked Harvest’s Tieghan Gerard, is more than just another loaf it’s an experience. It tells a story with every slice, from its deeply rooted family traditions to the warm spices and rich maple undertones that make it both unique and unforgettable. It’s the kind of recipe you pass down, not just because it tastes amazing, but because it carries the warmth of memory and the joy of sharing something homemade.

The Story Behind the Bread

Every recipe has a beginning, and for this banana bread, it starts with a mother and daughter baking together on cold Cleveland days. Tieghan Gerard, the creator behind Half Baked Harvest, often recounts her childhood kitchen memories those cherished afternoons filled with warm ovens and sugar-dusted counters. For many, banana bread was a fallback, a way to use up overripe bananas. For her, it was an occasion.

This recipe draws inspiration from those times but adapts them to modern sensibilities. It uses healthier alternatives like coconut oil instead of canola and replaces refined sugar with maple syrup. The white whole wheat flour gives it a heartier, more rustic texture without making it dense. These updates don’t just make the recipe more wholesome they make it more interesting. It’s banana bread for the health-conscious, the flavor focused, and the nostalgic all at once.

Flavor Profile: Warm, Sweet, and Spiced

At its core, this banana bread balances rich banana flavor with warm undertones of cinnamon and maple. The bananas extra ripe, practically black lend an intense sweetness and moist texture that make each slice melt in your mouth tender. Maple syrup, not just a sweetener but a flavor in its own right, adds a deep caramel note that harmonizes beautifully with the fruit.

Then there’s the cinnamon spice butter. While the bread could stand on its own, this creamy, aromatic spread transforms it into something magical. A blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, and allspice, whipped into soft butter with a touch of maple, it adds both a visual and flavor punch. Imagine biting into a warm slice of banana bread with this spiced butter slowly melting on top each element complementing the next in a medley of comforting fall flavors.

This is a loaf that’s both humble and sophisticated. It doesn’t try to be flashy or overly indulgent. Instead, it invites you to slow down, appreciate the moment, and savor something made with love and care.

A Recipe for All Seasons But Especially Autumn

Although banana bread is a year-round favorite, this maple-sweetened version feels especially appropriate during the fall and winter months. It’s the kind of thing you bake on a Sunday morning, while golden leaves swirl outside and a cozy sweater replaces your summer t-shirts. The scent of cinnamon and maple fills your home like a seasonal candle only it’s real, and you get to eat it afterward.

It also fits right in with the spirit of holiday baking. While cakes and pies take center stage, having a loaf of banana bread on hand for visiting family or as a quick breakfast treat is a simple way to show hospitality. Wrapped in parchment and twine, it also makes a thoughtful homemade gift.

Wholesome and Nourishing But Still a Treat

What sets this banana bread apart nutritionally is its ingredient list, designed to nourish without sacrificing flavor. Coconut oil is a smart swap for processed vegetable oils, adding healthy fats and a subtle richness. The use of white whole wheat flour maintains a familiar taste and texture while boosting the fiber content. And maple syrup, though still a sugar, is a more natural sweetener with trace minerals and a gentler glycemic impact than refined sugar.

It’s worth noting that while this loaf leans toward healthier baking, it’s not trying to be a “diet” food. It celebrates indulgence in a balanced way. Each slice offers energy, satisfaction, and a little moment of joy exactly what you want from a baked good. Paired with a smear of that dreamy cinnamon spice butter, it’s the kind of treat that makes even an ordinary day feel special.

Endless Ways to Enjoy and Customize

Versatility is another key strength of this banana bread. It’s the kind of recipe you can make your own. Not a fan of walnuts? Skip them or sub in pecans, chocolate chips, or dried cranberries. Want to make it vegan? Use flax eggs and plant-based butter. Prefer a loaf that’s gluten-free? Swap the flour with a gluten-free blend.

You can also vary how you serve it. Toasted with butter for breakfast, topped with Greek yogurt and fruit for a quick lunch, or even used as the base for a decadent dessert with ice cream and caramel sauce. One loaf, many possibilities.

You could bake it in muffin tins for single-serving treats or turn it into mini loaves for gifting. The batter also welcomes add-ins like chopped dates, orange zest, or even a ribbon of cream cheese filling if you’re feeling adventurous.

Why This Recipe Deserves a Place in Your Collection

There are countless banana bread recipes out there. So why make this one?

Because it tells a story. Because it honors the past while embracing the present. Because it uses wholesome ingredients without compromising flavor. Because it’s simple to make, and yet it feels special every time you slice into it.

This is not just a way to use up bananas it’s a way to feed your soul. It brings people together, fills your home with irresistible aromas, and reminds you that comfort doesn’t have to be complicated. It only takes a little time, a few ripe bananas, and a willingness to bake from the heart.

Conclusion:

In a world of fast food, instant gratification, and constant hustle, baking a loaf of banana bread may seem quaint. But that’s exactly why it matters. The act of baking of mashing, stirring, pouring, and waiting slows us down. It gives us a moment to connect with ourselves and our loved ones. It fills our kitchens with warmth, our bellies with goodness, and our lives with memories.

Maple Banana Bread with Cinnamon Spice Butter is more than a recipe it’s a ritual. It’s an invitation to pause, breathe, and enjoy. Whether you’re baking it for yourself on a quiet morning or sharing it with family over the holidays, this bread offers a slice of something truly special.

So find those bananas at the bottom of your fruit bowl. Turn on your oven. Mix with intention. Bake with love. And when you finally cut that warm, fragrant slice and slather on the cinnamon spice butter, you’ll understand this isn’t just banana bread.

It’s comfort. It’s tradition. It’s everything a great recipe should be.