Description
This Lavender Banana Bread With Cream Cheese Icing combines the sweet richness of ripe bananas with a floral twist of lavender and a decadent cream cheese frosting. It’s a dreamy, aromatic quick bread that’s perfect for brunch, dessert, or an afternoon treat.
Ingredients
Scale
- Essentials:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (213g)
- 1 1/4 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp table salt
- 2 1/2 cups mashed very ripe bananas (about 5 bananas)
- 1 cup packed dark brown sugar (200g)
- 2/3 cup butter, melted and cooled (150g)
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tbsp dried lavender buds
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar
- Optional Add-Ons (for the Cream Cheese Icing):
- 1/2 cup butter, softened (113g)
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened (226g)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 4 1/2 cups powdered sugar (500g)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat oven to 350°F (176°C). Line an 8×4-inch loaf pan with parchment paper and spray lightly with cooking spray.
- Make Lavender Sugar: Grind lavender buds and combine with granulated sugar, brown sugar, and a splash of vanilla extract. Set aside.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt.
- Mash Bananas: In a large mixing bowl, mash ripe bananas. Add the lavender sugar mixture, cooled butter, and eggs. Stir until well combined.
- Combine: Gently fold dry ingredients into wet mixture. Mix until just combined.
- Bake: Pour batter into loaf pan and bake for 1 hour and 10 minutes, rotating pan halfway through. A toothpick should come out clean when done.
- Cool: Let bread cool in the pan for 30 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Make Cream Cheese Icing (Optional): Beat softened butter and cream cheese until smooth. Add vanilla extract and salt, then gradually mix in powdered sugar until creamy.
- Frost and Serve: Spread icing over cooled bread and serve immediately or chilled.
Notes
- Use very ripe bananas for the best flavor and sweetness.
- Lavender should be culinary grade and ground finely for best results.
- You can skip the icing for a lighter loaf, or use store-bought frosting as a shortcut.
- Reduce sugar or substitute with coconut sugar for a healthier twist.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (with icing)
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 38 g
- Sodium: 310 mg
- Fat: 21 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 55 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg
Keywords: Lavender Banana Bread, cream cheese icing, floral banana bread, banana loaf, lavender dessert, brunch loaf, quick bread, banana cake, herbal baking