Description
This Caramel Apple Banana Bread with Streusel Topping is a delightful twist on classic banana bread, featuring a sweet and crunchy streusel made with applesauce and cinnamon, and finished with a luscious caramel drizzle. Perfect for a cozy breakfast or a sweet afternoon treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Banana Bread:
- 1 1/2 cups mashed banana (2 to 3 ripe bananas)
- 1/3 cup butter (melted)
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
Streusel Topping:
- 1/2 stick butter (1/4 cup)
- 2 tablespoons applesauce
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
For Drizzling:
- 1 jar caramel sauce (about 8 oz)
Instructions
- Prepare the Pan: Grease and flour a regular size loaf pan, approximately 4 x 8 inches, to prevent sticking.
- Mash and Mix Ingredients: In a food processor, add the bananas and process until mashed. Then add the melted butter, baking soda, salt, sugar, egg, vanilla, and flour. Process the mixture until well blended, then pour it into the prepared loaf pan.
- Begin Baking: Place the loaf pan in the oven preheated to 350°F (175°C) and bake for 50 minutes.
- Prepare Streusel Topping and Apply: While the banana bread is baking, prepare the streusel topping by adding the butter, applesauce, sugar, brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon to the food processor. Pulse until crumbly. After the initial 50 minutes, remove the bread from the oven and evenly spoon the streusel topping over it. Return the bread to the oven and continue baking until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 5 to 10 more minutes.
- Cool and Add Caramel: Remove the bread from the oven and cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Then remove the bread from the pan and place it directly on the wire rack to finish cooling. Once cool, drizzle the caramel sauce generously over the top before serving.
Notes
- Ensure bananas are ripe for maximum sweetness and flavor.
- Melted butter should be cooled slightly before mixing to avoid cooking the egg.
- Check the bread early when baking with streusel to prevent over-browning.
- You can substitute caramel sauce with homemade caramel or dulce de leche as desired.
- For a nuttier variation, add chopped walnuts or pecans to the batter or streusel.
