Caramel Macchiato Banana Bread Recipe
This Caramel Macchiato Banana Bread combines the rich flavors of coffee and caramel with moist banana bread for a delightful twist on a classic treat. Featuring a luscious caramel swirl and a sweet buttery glaze, this loaf is perfect for breakfast, snacks, or dessert lovers who enjoy a sophisticated, coffeehouse-inspired flavor at home.
- Author: Leo
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 loaf (about 10-12 slices) 1x
- Category: Baking
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Batter
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar (packed)
- 1/3 cup canola or vegetable oil
- 2 teaspoons granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup sour cream (lite or substitute with Greek yogurt)
- 1 tablespoon instant espresso granules
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- 1 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 2 medium/large or 3 small bananas)
- 1/4 cup caramel or salted caramel sauce (thick consistency recommended)
Glaze
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 6 tablespoons light brown sugar (packed; 1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch salt (optional, to taste)
- Prepare the loaf pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Thoroughly grease and flour a 9×5-inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper sprayed with cooking spray. Set aside to ensure the bread releases easily after baking.
- Mix wet ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the egg, light brown sugar, canola or vegetable oil, granulated sugar, sour cream (or Greek yogurt), instant espresso granules, and vanilla extract until well combined and smooth.
- Add dry ingredients: To the wet mixture, add the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Stir gently until just combined to avoid overmixing, which can make the bread tough.
- Incorporate bananas: Fold in the mashed ripe bananas evenly throughout the batter to add moisture and natural sweetness.
- Transfer batter to pan: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan, smoothing the top lightly with a spatula for an even surface.
- Swirl caramel: Drizzle the thick caramel sauce evenly over the top of the batter, leaving a small margin near the pan edges to prevent burning. With a butter knife, carefully swirl the caramel down about one inch into the batter to create a luscious ribbon effect without touching the edges or bottom of the pan.
- Bake the bread: Place the loaf pan in the preheated oven and bake for 45 to 50 minutes. Check for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center; it should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs but no raw batter.
- Cool the bread: Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan on a wire rack while you prepare the glaze, ensuring it sets properly without collapsing.
- Prepare the glaze: In a small saucepan over medium-high heat, melt the unsalted butter. Add the light brown sugar, vanilla extract, and optional pinch of salt. Whisk the mixture until the brown sugar completely dissolves.
- Simmer glaze: Lower the heat to low and let the glaze simmer gently for 3 minutes, allowing it to bubble lightly and develop a dimpled texture. Avoid stirring during this time.
- Cool and drizzle glaze: Remove the glaze from heat and let it cool for about 5 minutes until warm but not hot. Drizzle it evenly over the warm banana bread either in the pan or after transferring the loaf onto a wire rack for easy glazing.
- Set glaze and serve: Allow the glaze to fully set for about 1 hour before slicing to ensure the perfect texture and flavor balance. Serve slices as a delicious treat paired with coffee or tea.
Notes
- Use thick caramel sauce for the swirl and glaze to avoid runniness and burning.
- Do not overmix the batter once the flour is added to maintain a tender crumb.
- Ensure your bananas are ripe with brown spots for maximum sweetness and moisture.
- You can substitute sour cream with Greek yogurt for a tangier taste and slight protein boost.
- If you want more espresso flavor, sprinkle a bit more instant espresso granules over the caramel before swirling.
- Make sure to leave space near the edges when adding caramel to prevent burning during baking.
- Allow bread to cool before glazing to prevent the glaze from melting too much and running off.
Keywords: banana bread, caramel macchiato bread, coffee flavored bread, banana loaf with caramel, espresso banana bread, glazed banana bread