As the crisp air of autumn sweeps in, bringing with it a symphony of vibrant colors and the promise of cozy moments, there’s no better way to celebrate the season than with the comforting aroma of freshly baked goods filling your home. This exceptional super moist, fluffy pumpkin-banana bread is a true embodiment of fall – a sweet, cake-like delight that’s remarkably easy to bake from scratch. Crowned with a simple yet elegant two-ingredient vanilla glaze, it’s the perfect treat for any occasion. Whether you’re looking for a thoughtful gift, a delightful breakfast, a satisfying brunch staple, or a heartwarming dessert, this bread promises pure bliss.

Embracing Autumn: A Taste of New England Comfort

It’s two o’clock on a glorious autumn afternoon, and I find myself fully immersed in the New England experience – a realization that has beautifully settled in after four transformative months. I’m writing to you from the warmth of my plush bed, enveloped in my favorite blanket, a steaming cup of gingerbread tea warming my hands against the gentle chill. Outside, the leaves are ablaze with fiery reds and brilliant yellows, performing a slow, graceful dance as they drift down to soften the damp grass. My sweet new puppy, tired from a spirited morning of play, rests peacefully at my feet, his soft snores a comforting rhythm.

The gentle tapping of rain on my windows has woven a spell of ethereal calm, inspiring a desire to linger indoors this evening. It calls for a quintessential cozy night: warming the house with the savory scent of a tender roast and potatoes, followed by hot cocoa for dessert. Then, the simple joys of washing dishes and playful moments on the floor with the pup, before transitioning to bath time for my little girl, pajamas for all, shared storybooks, and finally, the glorious return to my warm bed. This blend of calm and vibrant, deliciously lived life is what truly nourishes my soul. As reluctant as I may be to leave the comfort of my bed most mornings, my cherished people and beloved animals make every moment incredibly worthwhile.

A Morning Ritual Transformed by Homemade Goodness

The next morning, it’s the irresistible aroma of freshly baked pumpkin-banana bread that serves as the first delightful welcome downstairs. The rich, sweet, and spicy scent instantly invigorates the senses, promising a taste of autumn with every breath. I eagerly snag a generous slice from the cake stand, its golden-brown crust and tender crumb calling to me. Each super-moist morsel is chased by a fortifying swig of hot vanilla coffee – an absolute necessity with a playful new puppy demanding attention! Warmed to my core, even with my hair in a charmingly tangled mess, I feel ready to embrace the joyful chaos of the day.

Waking earlier than usual has gifted me these precious moments – time to tend to myself first, before the needs of everyone else take center stage. Even an extra 15 minutes proves tremendously therapeutic, allowing for a touch of makeup, a quiet sip of coffee while the house slumbers, catching up on emails, or simply snuggling the pup (let’s be real, I usually choose one of those “me-time” activities per morning!). For these brief, restorative minutes, I am profoundly thankful. And I am equally thankful for delightful treats like this pumpkin-banana bread, making those early mornings truly something to anticipate.

Um, hello beautiful!

The Inspiration Behind a Fall Favorite

My journey to creating this delightful recipe began when I stumbled upon it on Bridget’s guest post at The Pioneer Woman. The closet pumpkin-spice-lover in me immediately rejoiced! My Southern husband has always been an ardent fan of classic banana bread, and I, for my part, absolutely adore anything pumpkin-flavored when it comes to desserts. This combination felt like a culinary destiny, a recipe that was truly calling to me. Pumpkin bread had been on my “must-try” list for ages, but I’d always harbored a curiosity about combining it with banana – envisioning an extra moist texture and an even richer, more complex flavor profile. This recipe promised to deliver exactly that.

The Verdict: Unrivaled Deliciousness!

The verdict? Absolutely amazing! This recipe, which thoughtfully yields two full loaves, is a true blessing for those who love to share (or simply enjoy more for themselves!). It produced the most fragrant, incredibly soft, and wonderfully cake-like pumpkin bread I have ever tasted. Each bite was super moist and had a delicate crumbly quality, practically melting in your mouth while still holding its structure perfectly for a satisfying dunk into a hot cup of coffee. With a quick, luscious vanilla glaze drizzled generously over the top, this “amped-up” banana bread transcended expectations, becoming both incredibly delicious and remarkably elegant. I was, without a doubt, in pure pumpkin-banana bliss!

Baking Perfection: Ingredients and Process Explained

While the list of ingredients may seem plentiful, rest assured they are all basic pantry staples, culminating in an extraordinarily flavorful pumpkin-banana bread. The secret to its depth lies in the careful balance of fall spices and the natural sweetness of pumpkin and banana.

Gathering Your Essential Ingredients:

You’ll need common baking essentials: all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, and baking powder to give our bread its perfect lift. For that iconic autumn flavor, we incorporate a warm blend of ground cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and nutmeg. The sweetness comes from both granulated sugar and light brown sugar, which also contributes to the bread’s moistness. Vegetable oil ensures a tender crumb, while large eggs provide structure and richness. Of course, the stars of the show are canned pumpkin puree and beautifully mashed ripe bananas, which are crucial for both flavor and an unbelievably moist texture.

The Simple Steps to Baking Bliss:

The process itself is wonderfully straightforward. You’ll begin by combining all your dry ingredients – the flour, baking soda, salt, baking powder, and aromatic spices – in one large bowl, whisking them thoroughly to ensure even distribution. In a separate bowl, you’ll beat together your sugars, oil, and eggs until they are well combined. Then, the vibrant pumpkin puree and mashed ripe banana are folded in, creating a rich, autumnal base. Finally, the dry ingredients are gently stirred into the wet mixture, and you’ll watch as a happy marriage of deliciousness materializes before your eyes! This generous recipe provides enough batter to bake two full loaves, making it ideal for sharing. You can bake both immediately or, for future indulgence, bake one and freeze the remaining batter for a second loaf later.

The Irresistible Aroma and a Pro Tip

The moment this bread emerges from the oven, the aroma that permeates your home is nothing short of blissful. Those rich, warming fall spices combined with the sweet, comforting scent of freshly baked, perfectly risen bread will create an almost unbearable temptation, practically begging you to steal a crumb off the edge. It’s a sensory experience that defines autumn, transforming your kitchen into a haven of warmth and sweetness.

Pro Tip for Instant Gratification: Don’t wait for it to cool completely! Cut a thick slice of the bread while it’s still wonderfully warm – hot enough to effortlessly melt a pat of butter on top. Sprinkle it with a little extra cinnamon for an elevated experience. This simple step unlocks an immediate burst of flavor and comfort that is truly unparalleled.

Live Your Best Autumn Life: Bake and Share!

I implore you, get ready to live your very best autumn life by baking this incredible pumpkin-banana bread! It’s more than just a recipe; it’s an invitation to embrace the season’s bounty and share joy. You are going to absolutely adore this pumpkin-banana bread. Its unparalleled moistness, aromatic spices, and cake-like texture make it an instant classic. Share it generously with the ones you love – your family, friends, or neighbors – and witness the smiles it brings. And please, do let me know how your delicious loaves turn out!

Pumpkin Banana Bread with Vanilla Glaze

Yield:
2 loaves

Ingredients

For the Pumpkin Banana Bread:

• Nonstick cooking spray
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1-1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 3/4 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup light brown sugar
• 2/3 cups vegetable oil
• 3 large eggs
• 1 cup canned pumpkin puree
• 1 cup mashed ripe banana (from 3-4 medium bananas)

For the Vanilla Glaze (Optional):

• 1 cup sifted powdered sugar
• 3 Tablespoons heavy cream
• Tiny drops of water or vanilla extract (to thin, if needed)

Instructions

1. Prepare for Baking: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. Prepare Loaf Pans: Lightly coat two standard loaf pans with nonstick cooking spray. For easier removal, lay a strip of parchment paper lengthwise down the bottom of each pan, allowing the ends to extend over the sides; this creates convenient “slings” for lifting the baked bread.
3. Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, baking powder, and all the ground spices (cinnamon, ginger, cloves, nutmeg) until thoroughly combined. In a separate, medium-sized bowl, use an electric mixer or whisk to beat the granulated sugar, light brown sugar, vegetable oil, and eggs until they are well blended and slightly fluffy. Add the canned pumpkin puree and mashed ripe banana to the wet mixture and mix well until everything is incorporated. Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring gently with a spatula or wooden spoon until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough bread.
4. Bake the Loaves: Divide the batter evenly between the two prepared loaf pans. Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until a wooden toothpick inserted into the center of a loaf comes out with only a few moist crumbs attached. If you notice the tops browning too quickly, you can loosely tent the pans with aluminum foil for the remaining baking time.
5. Cooling Process: Once baked, let the bread cool in the pans for about 5-10 minutes. Then, using the parchment paper flaps, gently lift the loaves out of the pans and transfer them to a wire cooling rack to cool completely. Allowing them to cool fully before glazing is crucial to prevent the glaze from simply melting off.
6. Serve and Store: Serve the pumpkin banana bread warm (especially delightful with a pat of butter!) or at room temperature. To store, wrap the cooled bread tightly in aluminum foil or plastic wrap. It can be kept at room temperature for 2-3 days or refrigerated for up to a week. For longer storage, the cooled loaves can be wrapped tightly and frozen for up to 3 months.
7. Enjoy every delicious bite of this autumnal treat!

For the Vanilla Glaze:

1. Prepare the Glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together the 1 cup of sifted powdered sugar and 3 tablespoons of heavy cream until smooth and thick. If the glaze is too thick, add tiny drops of water or a touch more vanilla extract (if using) until it reaches your desired drizzling consistency. Drizzle generously over the completely cooled pumpkin banana bread.

Notes

Adapted from Bake at 350 via The Pioneer Woman.

Tips for Success:
* Ripe Bananas are Key: Ensure your bananas are very ripe, with plenty of brown spots on the peel. This indicates maximum sweetness and moisture.
* Don’t Overmix: Overmixing develops gluten, leading to a tougher bread. Mix just until the ingredients are combined.
* Freezing Instructions: You can freeze the baked and cooled loaves (unglazed is best for freezing) by wrapping them tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Thaw overnight at room temperature before serving or glazing.
* Add-ins: Feel free to customize your bread! Stir in 1/2 to 1 cup of chocolate chips, chopped nuts (pecans or walnuts), or dried cranberries with the dry ingredients for extra flavor and texture.

Did you make this recipe?

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