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Hawaiian Banana Bread combines the sweetness of ripe bananas with tropical flavors of pineapple and coconut, making it an irresistible treat. This moist and flavorful bread is perfect for breakfast, a snack, or a dessert. The addition of pineapple not only enhances the taste but also helps maintain a soft, tender crumb. With a touch of coconut, this banana bread transports you to a tropical paradise, making it a favorite in any household!

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

1 ½ cups mashed ripe bananas (about 3 bananas)
1 ¼ cups granulated sugar
1 (8-ounce) can crushed pineapple, undrained
½ cup buttermilk
½ cup butter, melted and cooled slightly
2 large eggs, at room temperature
1 teaspoon rum flavoring or vanilla extract
2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt
½ cup flaked coconut

Directions

Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a bread pan with cooking spray or line with parchment paper.
Prepare Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the mashed bananas, sugar, pineapple (with juice), buttermilk, melted butter, eggs, and rum flavoring (or vanilla). Mix well.
Combine Dry Ingredients: In another bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, and coconut.
Mix the Batter: Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients, then add the wet ingredients. Stir gently until just combined. Do not overmix.
Bake the Bread: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake for 50 minutes to 1 hour or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Cool and Serve: Allow the bread to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. Slice and serve.

Nutrients

Per Serving (Approx.)

Calories: 140 kcal
Carbohydrates: 32g
Protein: 1g
Fat: 3g
Saturated Fat: 2g
Cholesterol: 30mg
Sodium: 180mg
Potassium: 100mg
Fiber: 1g
Sugar: 18g

A Tropical Blend of Flavors

The combination of bananas, pineapple, and coconut makes Hawaiian Banana Bread a standout among other banana bread recipes. The bananas contribute a natural sweetness and moisture, ensuring a soft crumb. The pineapple, which is undrained, provides both a juicy burst of flavor and a slight tanginess that enhances the overall sweetness of the bread. It also helps to keep the bread incredibly moist, making each slice tender and fluffy.

The coconut adds texture and depth to the bread, creating little pockets of flavor that melt in your mouth with every bite. Whether you’re a fan of coconut or not, its subtlety in this recipe will win you over, adding a tropical nuance without overwhelming the other flavors. This Hawaiian-inspired banana bread brings a delightful twist to the classic, making it a fun and flavorful way to enjoy the familiar comfort of banana bread.

The Key Ingredients

Mashed Ripe Bananas: The foundation of any banana bread, ripe bananas are the key to sweetness and moisture. They also add a soft, tender texture to the bread.
Pineapple: The crushed pineapple, undrained, provides a tangy, juicy sweetness that blends perfectly with the bananas and coconut.
Coconut: Flaked coconut gives the bread a tropical flair and adds texture that enhances the overall flavor profile.
Rum Flavoring or Vanilla Extract: The rum flavoring adds an extra layer of depth to the bread, evoking tropical vibes and pairing wonderfully with the banana, pineapple, and coconut. Vanilla extract is a great alternative if rum flavoring is not available.
Buttermilk and Butter: The combination of buttermilk and butter helps create a rich, moist batter, while also adding richness and flavor to the bread.
Spices: Ground cinnamon and salt balance the sweetness of the fruit and enhance the tropical spices in the bread.

The Baking Process

The preparation of Hawaiian Banana Bread is simple and straightforward, with minimal equipment required. The bread comes together quickly, and it bakes in just about an hour, making it perfect for busy mornings or spontaneous baking sessions.

Prepare the Wet Ingredients: The first step is to combine the mashed bananas, sugar, pineapple (with juice), buttermilk, melted butter, eggs, and rum flavoring or vanilla. Mixing these ingredients well ensures that the sweetness of the bananas and pineapple is evenly distributed throughout the batter.
Combine the Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, and coconut. These dry ingredients provide the structure and texture of the bread, while the coconut adds a delightful tropical texture.
Mix the Batter: Create a well in the center of the dry ingredients and add the wet ingredients. Stir gently until just combined, being careful not to overmix. Overmixing can cause the bread to become dense, so it’s important to mix just until the ingredients are incorporated.
Bake the Bread: Pour the batter into a prepared loaf pan and smooth the top. Bake the bread for 50 minutes to an hour, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The bread will rise beautifully and turn a golden brown color on top.
Cool and Serve: Allow the bread to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. This step ensures that the bread sets properly and doesn’t fall apart when slicing.

Serving Suggestions

Hawaiian Banana Bread is delicious on its own, but it can also be served in a variety of ways:

As Breakfast: Serve a slice of Hawaiian Banana Bread alongside a cup of coffee or tea for a comforting start to your day.
As a Snack: Enjoy it as a midday snack, perfect for pairing with a handful of nuts or a dollop of nut butter for added protein.
As Dessert: Top the banana bread with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for a tropical-inspired dessert.
With Fruit: For an extra burst of freshness, serve the bread with fresh fruit like pineapple, mango, or berries to complement the tropical flavors.

Nutritional Information

Each slice of Hawaiian Banana Bread contains approximately 140 calories, making it a moderately low-calorie treat. The bread is rich in carbohydrates (32g), but it also provides a small amount of protein (1g) and healthy fats (3g) from the butter and coconut.

The bread offers a modest amount of fiber (1g) to help with digestion, and with only 18g of sugar per serving, it has a satisfying sweetness without being overly sugary. The bread’s saturated fat content (2g) comes primarily from the butter, which contributes to its rich and moist texture. Additionally, each slice provides vitamin A (202 IU) and potassium (100mg), which support immune function and heart health.

Customizing the Recipe

While the recipe is delicious as written, there’s always room for customization. Here are some ideas to make it even more personalized:

Add More Tropical Fruits: You can add shredded coconut, dried pineapple, or even mashed papaya to the batter for additional tropical flavors.
Incorporate Nuts: Chopped macadamia nuts, walnuts, or almonds can add a nice crunch to the bread, complementing the soft, moist crumb.
Adjust the Sweetness: If you prefer a less sweet version, you can reduce the sugar by half and increase the amount of ripe bananas for a more natural sweetness.

Conclusion: A Delicious Tropical Escape

Hawaiian Banana Bread is a delightful twist on the classic banana bread, offering the perfect balance of sweet, tropical flavors from the pineapple and coconut. It’s easy to make, versatile, and sure to be a hit in any household. Whether enjoyed for breakfast, as a snack, or as a dessert, this banana bread brings the flavors of the tropics to your kitchen, making it a treat everyone will love. With its moist texture, rich flavor, and hint of tropical paradise, Hawaiian Banana Bread is a must-try recipe for banana bread enthusiasts and anyone who loves a bit of tropical flair in their baked goods!

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