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Brown Butter Chai Swirled Banana Bread Recipe

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4 from 3 reviews

  • Author: Sara
  • Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
  • Yield: 9 servings
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

This Brown Butter Chai Swirled Banana Bread is a delightful twist on classic banana bread, featuring warm chai spices and rich brown butter flavor. Swirled with a spiced brown butter batter and topped with creamy chai-spiced cream cheese frosting, it’s a perfect balance of aromatic spices and moist banana goodness, ideal for breakfast, snack, or dessert.

Ingredients

Dry Ingredients

  • 1.5 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1.5 tablespoons chai spice (separated)

Brown Butter and Wet Ingredients

  • 5 tablespoons salted butter (separated)
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar (packed)
  • 1/2 cup maple syrup
  • 3 medium ripe bananas, mashed (~1 cup mashed)
  • 1/4 cup unsweetened almond milk
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Frosting

  • 3 oz. cream cheese (softened)
  • ¾ cup powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon chai spice
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350ºF (175ºC). Line a standard loaf pan with parchment paper to ensure easy removal of the banana bread after baking.
  2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, and 1 tablespoon of chai spice until evenly combined. Set aside for later use.
  3. Make Brown Butter: In a skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. It will start to foam and bubble; continue cooking until you see brown specks forming and a nutty aroma—this is your brown butter. Remove the skillet from heat and transfer the browned butter to a bowl to cool.
  4. Combine Sweeteners and Butter: Add 3 tablespoons of the cooled brown butter to a bowl with brown sugar and maple syrup. Stir until the mixture is smooth and fully combined.
  5. Add Remaining Wet Ingredients: To the same bowl, add mashed bananas, almond milk, eggs, and 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract. Stir well to incorporate all wet ingredients. Then, add the dry ingredient mixture gradually to this wet mixture, stirring just until combined.
  6. Create Chai Swirl Batter: Transfer about one-third of the batter to a separate bowl. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of brown butter and the remaining ½ tablespoon of chai spice. Stir thoroughly until the batter darkens to a richer brown color and the spices are evenly distributed.
  7. Assemble Batter in Pan: Scoop the plain batter and the chai-swirl batter alternately into the prepared loaf pan to create a marbled effect. Use a knife or skewer to gently swirl the two batters together for a beautiful pattern.
  8. Bake: Bake for 20 minutes, then tent the loaf with aluminum foil to prevent over-browning. Continue baking for another 20-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  9. Cool Completely: Remove the bread from the oven and allow it to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack, which will take approximately 2-3 hours.
  10. Prepare Frosting: Using a hand mixer, whip the softened cream cheese in a bowl until smooth. Add powdered sugar, chai spice, and vanilla extract. Whip again until the frosting is creamy and well combined.
  11. Frost and Serve: Once the banana bread is fully cooled, spread the chai-spiced cream cheese frosting evenly over the top. Slice and serve to enjoy the delicious chai-infused banana bread.

Notes

  • For the chai spice, a blend can include cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, cloves, and nutmeg.
  • Ensure bananas are very ripe for the best natural sweetness and moisture.
  • Line your pan with parchment paper for easy removal without sticking.
  • Allow the bread to cool completely before frosting to prevent the frosting from melting.
  • Store leftover banana bread covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 50 minutes
  • Category: Baking
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Find it online: https://sarabaking.com/brown-butter-chai-swirled-banana-bread-recipe/