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    Home » Recipes » Breads & Muffins

    Caramelized Banana Bread

    Published: Feb 3, 2021 · Modified: Sep 9, 2023 by Emily Laurae · This post may contain affiliate links.

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    Caramelized bananas, rum, and coconut make this Caramelized Banana Bread anything but ordinary. This rich, melt-in-your-mouth recipe is finished with homemade cream cheese frosting to make every bite sensational!

    Coconut, Rum & Caramelized Banana Bread
    Jump to:
    • ⭐ Why You’ll Love This Recipe 
    • ❓ Why caramelized bananas?
    • 🍴Ingredients
    • 📖 Step by Step Instructions
    • 👩🏻‍🍳 Expert Tips
    • 💭 Recipe FAQs
    • More sweet dessert and enriched breads to try
    • Coconut, Rum & Caramelized Banana Bread
    • 💬 Comments

    ⭐ Why You’ll Love This Recipe 

    This isn’t just any moist banana bread recipe. The ultimate trio of caramelized bananas, rum, and coconut adds richness and density to this Caramelized Banana Bread, making it incomparable to any other. The soft, tender crumb and rich, coconutty flavor make this recipe next level delicious!

    It doesn’t take much to turn a regular banana bread into something special and in this case, the caramelized bananas paired with coconut and rum add a whole new level of flavor. The bread is surprisingly easy to make, meaning you can have batch after batch to enjoy for breakfast, dessert, or as an indulgent snack!

    Looking for more variations on classic banana bread? Be sure to try my Banana Bread with a Crunch and Sourdough Walnut Banana Bread recipes!

    Coconut, Rum & Caramelized Banana Bread

    ❓ Why caramelized bananas?

    Your everyday banana bread recipe will call for overly ripe bananas. These bananas are soft and sweet on their own, but there’s so much room for improvement! Caramelizing the bananas in brown sugar and rum is the best way to intensify the decadent flavors. 

    🍴Ingredients

    • Bananas - There’s no such thing as a “too ripe” banana! When your bananas are spotty and freckly, they’re perfect. Never toss your old bananas as they can be frozen and used in future loaves of banana bread, banana cupcakes, cakes, or smoothies.
    • Brown sugar - Used to caramelize the bananas and sweeten the bread. The sugar helps the sliced bananas become darker, nuttier, and intensifies the sweet flavor. 
    • Rum - The deep, caramel flavors of dark rum complement this coconutty and sweet banana bread really well.
    • Coconut oil  - For moisture and richness. You can also use olive oil here.  
    • Maple syrup - This adds another rich layer of flavor while adding moisture to the bread.
    • Coconut flakes - Because coconut and rum are such a perfect pairing!
    • Cream cheese frosting - You’ll need unsalted butter, cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla paste for the cream cheese frosting. Frosting your banana bread is optional but so worth it!

    📖 Step by Step Instructions

    This banana bread recipe is enhanced with deliciously sweet caramelized bananas you can quickly make on the stove top. Follow these easy-to-follow instructions to make the perfect loaf:

    Step 1: Caramelize the bananas. Sprinkle the peeled and halved bananas with brown sugar. Place them in a saucepan over medium heat and cook until they’re golden brown and caramelized. Deglaze the pan with some rum, flip the bananas, and cook until they’re golden brown on all sides. Transfer to a mixing bowl.

    Step 2: Combine the dry ingredients. Whisk the flour, baking soda, and salt together in a medium bowl.

    Step 3: Combine the wet ingredients. Mash the cooled caramelized bananas with a fork, then add the eggs, coconut oil, brown sugar, maple syrup, and rum to the bowl.

    Step 4: Mix the batter and bake. Add the dry mixture and coconut flakes to the bowl with the wet ingredients. Mix gently to combine, then pour the batter into a loaf pan. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.

    Step 5: Make the cream cheese frosting. Beat the butter and cream cheese together until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Slowly mix in the powdered sugar and vanilla paste until everything is well combined. Spread it over the cooled banana bread, then serve and enjoy!

    Coconut, Rum & Caramelized Banana Bread.

    👩🏻‍🍳 Expert Tips

    • Are your bananas still green? Give them a ripening kickstart by placing them in a brown paper bag on the counter for a few days.
    • Room temperature ingredients are essential for making the perfect banana bread batter. 
    • Measure by VOLUME, NOT by bananas! Not all bananas are the same size, so weighing the bananas ensures consistency and perfect results.
    • Do not overmix. Gently mix the ingredients in the batter until they’re just combined. Overmixing will give you a dense or chewy bread.

    ⏲️ Substitutions & Variations

    It’s hard to believe you can make this recipe even better, but with mix-ins, it’s possible! Fold any of these into the finished batter for even more flavor:

    • Chopped almonds or walnuts.
    • Chocolate or white chocolate chips or chunks.
    • Dried cranberries, dates, or pineapple.


    Looking for an alternative to the cream cheese frosting? Try this brown butter buttercream instead. Add a few more delicious treats to your Mother's day brunch by taking a look at my roundup!

    Caramelized banana bread loaf on a plate with plates and glasses nearby.

    💭 Recipe FAQs

    What kind of rum should I use?

    I recommend using dark, spiced rum with plenty of warming flavors. Captain Morgan and Bacardi Gold are two budget-friendly rums that are perfect for baking. You can use white rum if that’s all you have at home, but the flavor will be more subtle.

    How do you store banana bread?

    Allow your banana bread to cool completely before wrapping it tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerating in an airtight container or ziplock bag for up to 1 week. 

    For more tips on how to store banana bread, head over to my in-depth guide!

    How do you freeze banana bread?

    Wrap the individual slices in a few layers of plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe airtight container or bag. They freeze nicely for up to 3 months. When you’re craving a slice of fresh banana bread, grab a frozen slice, let it thaw on the counter for a couple of hours, and enjoy!

    What are some key ingredients for the best banana bread with caramelized flavor?

    Use overripe bananas for the best banana flavor and a mix of white sugar and dark brown sugar for perfect caramelization. To achieve a moist and fluffy texture, incorporate melted butter or vegan butter and sour cream or Greek yogurt in your recipe.

    I'm making caramelized banana bread for the first time; any advice?

    Start by preparing your ingredients in a large bowl, ensuring your bananas are mashed well. For an added touch, consider caramelizing some banana slices in a small skillet with a tablespoon of butter until sugar melts, then fold these cooled bananas into your batter for enhanced flavor.

    More sweet dessert and enriched breads to try

    • Sliced Seeded Pumpkin Loaf
      Simple Seeded Pumpkin Loaf
    • Raspberry Banana Sour Cream Muffins.
      Raspberry Banana Sour Cream Muffins
    • Rustic sourdough bread loaf in a dutch oven.
      Overnight Rustic Sourdough Bread
    • Sourdough cinnamon bread with raisins baked in a dutch oven.
      Sourdough Cinnamon Bread With Raisins

    If you try the recipe for this Coconut, Rum & Caramelized Banana Bread, please leave a 🌟 review and share your creation with me on social media! You can find me on Instagram, Facebook, Youtube and Pinterest - for more delicious recipes sent straight to your inbox, sign up for my newsletter! 📧 

    Caramelized Banana Bread

    Coconut, Rum & Caramelized Banana Bread

    Caramelized bananas, rum, and coconut make this Caramelized Banana Bread anything but ordinary. This rich, melt-in-your-mouth recipe is finished with homemade cream cheese frosting to make every bite sensational!
    5 from 8 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate Recipe
    Course: Bread, Breakfast
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 30 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 50 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 1 hour hour 20 minutes minutes
    Servings: 8 Slices
    Calories: 593kcal
    Author: Emily Laurae

    Equipment

    • Saucepan
    • Spatula
    • Stand Mixer with Paddle Attachment or Hand Mixer
    • 9x5 Loaf Pan or Pullman Pan

    Ingredients
     

    Caramelized Bananas

    • 3 (360 g) Bananas
    • 2 tablespoon Brown Sugar
    • 2 tablespoon Rum

    Cream Cheese Frosting

    • ¼ Cup (56.75 g) Unsalted Butter
    • 1 Cup (227 g) Cream Cheese, room temperature
    • 1 Cup (120 g) Powdered Sugar, sifted
    • 1 tablespoon Vanilla Paste, or vanilla extract

    Coconut Banana Bread

    • 1 ½ Cups (187 g) All-Purpose Flour
    • 1 teaspoon Baking Soda
    • ¼ teaspoon Salt
    • Caramelized cooled bananas from above
    • 2 Eggs
    • ⅓ cup (73 g) Coconut Oil or Olive Oil , liquid
    • ⅓ cup (74 g) Light Brown Sugar, packed
    • ¼ cup (80 g) Maple Syrup
    • 2 tablespoon Rum
    • 1 Cup (85 g) Unsweetened Coconut Flakes

    Instructions

    Caramelized Bananas 

    • Slice bananas in half and coat each side with brown sugar 
      3 Bananas, 2 tablespoon Brown Sugar
    • Add coated bananas to a saucepan and heat on medium until the base of the bananas start to turn golden brown 
    • Pour in half of your measured rum to slightly deglaze the pan, then flip each banana so that the opposite side has a chance to caramelize as well
      2 tablespoon Rum
    • Add the rest of your rum to deglaze once more and then remove the caramelized bananas from the pan to cool completely. 

    Cream Cheese Frosting

    • Beat together the softened butter and cream cheese on medium speed until it’s smooth and somewhat fluffy. 
      ¼ Cup Unsalted Butter, 1 Cup Cream Cheese
    • Scrape down the sides, then add in the powdered sugar slowly and vanilla paste
      1 Cup Powdered Sugar, 1 tablespoon Vanilla Paste
    • Place cream cheese frosting in a plastic bag or pastry bag and cut off the tip. Add a dollop of frosting onto each muffin, sprinkle with salted crumble and enjoy!  

    Coconut & Rum Caramelized Banana Bread

    • Preheat your oven to 350°F
    • Add flour, baking soda and salt into a medium bowl and whisk until all ingredients are combined. Set aside. 
      1 teaspoon Baking Soda, 1 ½ Cups All-Purpose Flour, ¼ teaspoon Salt
    • In a separate bowl, mash cooled and caramelized bananas with a fork until the majority of your bananas are smooth in a large bowl. 
      Caramelized cooled bananas from above
    • Add the eggs, melted coconut oil, brown sugar, maple syrup and rum to the mashed bananas. Then add your mixed dries and coconut mixing to combine.  
      2 Eggs, ⅓ cup Coconut Oil or Olive Oil, ⅓ cup Light Brown Sugar, ¼ cup Maple Syrup, 2 tablespoon Rum, 1 Cup Unsweetened Coconut Flakes
    • Pour mixture into your 9 x 5 sprayed and buttered loaf pan and bake until a tester comes out clean, about 45-50 minutes. 
    • Allow your bread to cool for about 10 minutes before removing it from the pan and cooling completely. Then top with cream cheese frosting and coconut before enjoying! 

    Notes

    Frequently asked questions
    • What kind of rum should I use? I recommend using dark, spiced rum with plenty of warming flavors. Captain Morgan and Bacardi Gold are two budget-friendly rums that are perfect for baking. You can use white rum if that’s all you have at home, but the flavor will be more subtle.
    • How do you store banana bread? Allow your banana bread to cool completely before wrapping it tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerating in an airtight container or ziplock bag for up to 1 week. 
    • How do you freeze banana bread? Wrap the individual slices in a few layers of plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe airtight container or bag. They freeze nicely for up to 3 months. When you’re craving a slice of fresh banana bread, grab a frozen slice, let it thaw on the counter for a couple of hours, and enjoy!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 593kcal | Carbohydrates: 67g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 33g | Saturated Fat: 23g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 87mg | Sodium: 326mg | Potassium: 337mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 41g | Vitamin A: 646IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 65mg | Iron: 2mg
    Enjoyed this recipe?Mention @emilylaurae or tag #emilylaurae!

    More Delicious Bread & Muffin Recipes

    • Sourdough bread bowls with soup in the bowl.
      Sourdough Bread Bowl Recipe (With Video Tutorial)
    • Batard bread in a dutch oven, freshly baked.
      Batard Bread: A Step-By-Step Guide
    • Slices of sourdough on the kitchen cutting board.
      How to Store Sourdough Bread
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      Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Without Baking Soda

    About Emily Laurae

    Emily is the recipe developer, writer, and food photographer behind Emily Laurae. After finishing Pastry School and working as a chef in the restaurant industry, she created this blog to share those skills with home bakers and creators all over the world!

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Bayu Pamungkas

      August 26, 2021 at 7:10 am

      5 stars
      This recipe is super duper awesome. I like it so much! No need extra power or tools. Thanks Emily for the recipe ❤️

      Reply
      • Emily

        August 26, 2021 at 7:30 am

        You’re so welcome!

        Reply
    2. Lindsay

      March 22, 2021 at 12:52 pm

      This recipe is just genius! I was sold as soon as I heard "caramelized bananas" and they truly make a world of difference. I used 4oz cream cheese and about 1/4 cup butter, 2/3 cup powdered sugar, and 1/2 T vanilla bean paste for the frosting. I didn't get as much rise as I was hoping but that could be because I am getting used to using a new-to-me oven. Great recipe, Emily, and very creative!!!

      Reply
      • Emily

        March 22, 2021 at 9:45 pm

        So glad you enjoyed Lindsay!! Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts!

        Reply
    3. Samantha Raynor

      March 08, 2021 at 10:47 am

      I’ve always liked banana bread, but never loved it. That is, until I tried this one! This is literally the best banana cake ever! My new go to. Caramelizing the bananas adds a whole level of flavor, and the rum makes it moist and even more flavorful. Will be doing this for all my banana desserts now 🙂 I didn’t have coconut on hand and skipped the frosting and it is so so so amazing on its own. I looked through a ton of recipes before deciding on this one, and I can say with certainty, THIS is the recipe you should make. And go follow her Instagram, the recipes are amazing 🤩

      Reply
      • Emily

        March 09, 2021 at 11:23 am

        Such sweet words - thank you for sharing your thoughts! I am so glad you enjoyed this banana bread, Samantha!!

        Reply
    4. Cynthia Ballard

      March 04, 2021 at 2:40 pm

      Just tried this recipe and it makes drab banana bread come alive!! Highly recommend!

      Reply
      • Emily

        March 09, 2021 at 11:21 am

        I'm oh so glad you enjoyed Cynthia!!

        Reply

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    HELLO MY FRIENDS, I'M EMILY!

    Welcome to my blog, where I'm sharing a collection of my favorite recipes, tips and tricks for you to create and enjoy in your home kitchen! I'm a professionally trained pastry chef, recipe developer and food photographer currently living in Los Angeles - looking forward to baking with you!

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