Lavender Banana Bread
Courtesyof Copper Knoll FarmsBanana bread has always been one of those comforting go-to recipes—a reliable classic that never disappoints.Here, it’s elevated with a subtle floral twist: The sweet aroma of ripe bananas meets the delicate flavor of lavender.
Ingredients
For the Banana Bread:
- 1 stick (½ cup) butter
- 1 tablespoon culinary lavender buds
- 3 large ripe bananas
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
For the Lavender Syrup:
- ½ cup water
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon culinary lavender buds
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a loaf pan with butter, or spray it with nonstick cooking spray, then set it aside.
- In a small skillet over low heat, melt the butter with 1 tablespoon of lavender buds. Let the mixture simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and let it steep for another 5 minutes. Strain the butter through a fine-mesh sieve to remove the lavender buds.
- In a large bowl, mash the ripe bananas using a fork or potato masher until smooth. Add the lavender-infused butter, vanilla extract, and eggs to the mashed bananas. Stir until everything is well combined and no streaks of egg remain.
- In a separate large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the banana mixture. Stir with a spatula until just combined—don’t overmix!
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top. Bake for 45–55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the bread cool slightly in the pan before transferring it to a wire rack.
- While the bread bakes, prepare the lavender syrup: In a small pot, combine the water, sugar, and lavender buds. Simmer over medium-low heat for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and let it steep for another 5 minutes. Strain out the lavender buds and let the syrup cool slightly. Once the bread has cooled a bit, drizzle the lavender syrup over the top. Slice, serve, and enjoy the floral, comforting flavors.
