5 Ways with Banana Bread

Not only does black cocoa powder give this banana bread a mesmerizingly dark color, but it also adds an intensely rich, deep chocolate flavor. A trifecta of brown sugar, vegetable oil, and sour cream ensures the crumb stays nice and moist. You’ll crave another slice of this deep, dark, delicious bread long after it’s gone.

With an ultra-moist crumb courtesy of sour cream and oil in addition to banana, a ribbon of spiced brown sugar, and a crunchy topping, these muffins are the perfect sweet snack or breakfast on the go.

If you enjoy banana bread swirled or topped with tangy cream cheese, you’re in for a treat! We decided to mix similarly tangy yet buttery-rich mascarpone cheese into the batter for its signature flavor and for its acid that helps to tenderize gluten during baking, resulting in a softer crumb. And because there’s no such thing as too much of a good thing, we created a creamy whipped mascarpone topping for slathering on slice after slice.

We amplified a classic banana bread batter with creamy peanut butter and baked it into a tall loaf that’s enrobed in a decadent, crunchy peanut and chocolate glaze. We suggest having a tall glass of cold milk on hand for maximum enjoyment.

Although you may be most familiar with frangipane in an almond croissant, it pairs wonderfully with a classic banana bread. A whisper of cherry from the almond extract creates a rich, fruit-forward flavor, and a sprinkling of sliced almonds on top provides contrasting crunch.