- Preheat your oven and prepare mini loaf pans by greasing or lining them.
- In a large bowl, mash ripe bananas until smooth.
- Add sour cream, melted butter, eggs, and mix well.
- Fold in flour, baking soda, salt, and chopped walnuts until just combined.
- Divide batter evenly into the mini loaf pans.
- Bake for approximately 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let the loaves cool completely before frosting.
- To make the frosting, beat cream cheese and butter until creamy, then gradually add powdered sugar until smooth and fluffy.
- Spread frosting generously over each cooled mini loaf.
Flavor Variations:
- Nuts: Swap walnuts for pecans, almonds, or cashews to customize texture and flavor.
- Chocolate Chips: Add chocolate chips to the batter for an extra sweet touch.
- Greek Yogurt: Substitute sour cream with full-fat Greek yogurt for a tangier twist.
- Frosting Options: Use buttercream frosting for a sweeter finish or add banana extract to your frosting for enhanced banana flavor.
Serving and Storage:
These mini loaves are perfect for breakfast, snacks, or dessert. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for up to a week. For longer storage, freeze them wrapped tightly for up to 3 months and thaw before serving.
Tips:
- Use bananas that are heavily spotted or almost overripe for the best flavor.
- Do not overmix the batter to keep the bread tender.
- Allow loaves to cool fully before frosting to prevent melting.
- Customize the frosting sweetness to your preference by adjusting powdered sugar.
Conclusion:
Banana Nut Bread Mini Loaves are a delightful and festive take on a classic quick bread recipe. Moist, tender, and loaded with banana and nutty flavors, topped with luscious cream cheese frosting, these mini loaves are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Perfect for holiday celebrations or any time you want a delicious bite-sized treat, they are easy to make, customizable, and simply irresistible.
FAQ:
Can I use frozen bananas?
Yes! Thaw and drain excess liquid before mashing for best results.
Can I make these loaves dairy-free?
Substitute butter and cream cheese with plant-based alternatives, and use dairy-free yogurt instead of sour cream.
How do I prevent frosting from melting?
Make sure loaves are completely cooled to room temperature before frosting.
Can I make this recipe in a large loaf pan?
Yes, bake a full-sized loaf but increase baking time to about 50-60 minutes and check doneness with a toothpick.
Can I omit the nuts?
Absolutely! You can leave them out or substitute with seeds or dried fruit for texture.