Jamaican Banana Bread

What can be better than a slice of moist banana bread with a glass of milk or cup of tea? It’s very enjoyable!

I especially like this recipe, because of its flexibility.

You can add additional tropical flavors by adding dried fruits, chopped nuts, pineapple, pina colada-flavored yogurt or you can top banana bread with coconut flakes after pouring on the glaze.

Just take a break from your everyday routine and imagine you are on an island – while enjoying this mouth-watering slice of Jamaican banana bread with rum.

JAMAICAN BANANA BREAD INGREDIENTS

You can prepare this moist banana bread by using these ingredients: all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, raw sugar, melted butter, eggs, mashed ripe bananas, plain low-fat yogurt, dark rum, vanilla extract, sweetened flaked coconut, powdered sugar, lime juice.

HOW TO MASH BANANAS?

Mashing bananas is easy! First, you need to peel bananas. Then, I can recommend three ways to mash bananas that I use:

• Mash bananas in a food processor or a blender. This is the fastest and the easiest way to mash bananas. Break peeled bananas in a half and place in a food processor. Pulse a few times until the desired consistency is achieved.
• Mash bananas using a potato masher. This method is the easiest when you don’t want to use your food processor or when you don’t have it. Just place peeled bananas in a bowl and mash them with a potato masher.
• Mash bananas with a fork. This is a good way to mash overripe bananas. For firmer bananas, you will need to put in more effort to achieve the desired consistency. Place bananas in a bowl and mash them with a fork.

SUBSTITUTIONS FOR A HEALTHY BANANA BREAD:

If you want to make a healthy banana bread recipe you can use whole wheat flour, oat flour, or spelled flour instead of all-purpose flour. Also, you can use erythritol sweetener instead of sugar.

JAMAICAN BANANA BREAD VARIATIONS;

You can make this Jamaican banana bread with rum more delicious and unique by adding:

• lime zest to the glaze;
• pineapple instead of flaked coconut;
• chopped walnuts or pecans;
• raisins or another type of dried fruits;
• poppy seeds, cinnamon, or chocolate chips.
  Use your imagination and add your favorite flavors, but don’t add too many additional ingredients (no more than ½ cup in total).

TIPS FOR MOIST AND PERFECT BANANA BREAD;

1. If you don’t have raw or turbinado sugar, you can use granulated sugar or brown sugar.
2. You can use lemon juice instead of lime juice.
3. You can also use pina colada flavored yogurt or coconut/banana/pineapple flavored yogurt.
4. Don’t overmix the batter when adding the dry ingredients, otherwise, the banana bread batter will not rise well.
5. You can use apple cider instead of dark rum.
6. Measure ingredients correctly to achieve perfect results. For example, don’t scoop the flour from the package or container. Spoon flour and add to the measuring cup. When the measuring cup is full, level off the excess flour using the back of a knife or straight-edge spatula.

HOW TO FREEZE JAMAICAN BANANA BREAD?

I recommend freezing moist banana bread without the lime glaze.

Just let it cool completely after baking. Then, cover tightly with a plastic wrap and freeze.

When ready to serve, let it thaw in the refrigerator.

Then, prepare the lime glaze and drizzle over the Jamaican banana bread with rum.

STORAGE SUGGESTIONS

You can store this flavorful Jamaican banana bread with rum in an airtight container or covered with plastic wrap:

• 2-3 days at room temperature;
• for up to a week in the refrigerator;
• for up to 2 months in the freezer.

HOW TO MAKE IT VEGAN?

You can use ¼ cup of coconut oil/vegan butter/applesauce instead of melted butter, flax eggs instead of chicken eggs, ¼ cup dairy-free yogurt (we have used dairy-free coconut yogurt) instead of plain low-fat yogurt.

*To replace 2 chicken eggs you will need to use 2 tbsp flaxseed meal and 5 tbsp water. Add flaxseed meal and water to a small bowl. Stir together and set aside for 5 minutes. Then, add to other ingredients.

• Make It Dairy Free: You can use ¼ cup of coconut oil/vegan butter/applesauce instead of melted butter and ¼ cup dairy-free yogurt (we have used dairy-free coconut yogurt) instead of plain low-fat yogurt.
• Make It Egg-Free: You can use flax eggs instead of chicken eggs.
• Make It Gluten-free: You can use 2 cups gluten-free flour blend instead of 2 cups all-purpose flour.
• Make It Lower In Fat: You can use ¼ cup applesauce instead of melted butter.