Rustic Pioneer Woman Pumpkin Banana Bread Recipe: Autumn in a Slice

Pioneer Woman’s pumpkin banana bread elevates autumn’s most cherished flavors into a mouthwatering masterpiece of comfort and indulgence.

Ripe bananas mingle with velvety pumpkin puree, creating a symphony of seasonal spices that dance across your palate.

Warm notes of cinnamon and nutmeg weave through the dense, golden-brown loaf, promising pure kitchen alchemy.

Each tender slice delivers a luxurious blend of sweet, moist goodness that transforms ordinary moments into delectable memories.

The recipe marries rustic charm with elegant simplicity, making it accessible for bakers of every skill level.

Fragrant and irresistible, this quick bread beckons you to savor fall’s most enchanting culinary embrace.

Get ready to fall in love with a slice of pure, comforting bliss.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 50 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

Calories: 320 kcal

Servings: 8

What Goes Into Pioneer Woman’s Pumpkin Banana Bread

• All-Purpose Flour: Choose unbleached flour for richer, more natural flavor.
• Baking Soda: Fresh and recently purchased ensures optimal rising power.
• Salt: Fine-grain works best for even distribution.
• Baking Powder: Check expiration date for maximum leavening effect.
• Ground Cinnamon, Ground Ginger, Ground Cloves, Ground Nutmeg: Opt for freshly ground spices for intense, vibrant taste.

• Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Select organic varieties for deeper caramel undertones.
• Vegetable Oil: Neutral-flavored oil ensures smooth, consistent texture.
• Eggs: Room temperature eggs blend more seamlessly.
• Pumpkin Puree: Use 100% pure pumpkin, not pie filling.
• Mashed Ripe Bananas: Overripe bananas provide maximum sweetness and moisture.

• Pecans: Toast briefly to enhance nutty flavor and crisp texture.

Equipment for Baking Pumpkin Banana Bread

• Large mixing bowl: Perfect for blending dry and wet ingredients smoothly.
• Whisk: Essential for combining dry ingredients without lumps.
• Separate mixing bowl: Needed for creating wet ingredient mixture.
• Electric mixer or hand beater: Helps beat sugars, eggs, and oils until smooth.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient proportions.
• Rubber spatula: Great for folding ingredients and scraping bowl edges.
• Loaf pans (8×4 or 9×5 inches): Two pans for baking pumpkin banana bread.
• Toothpick: Helps check bread doneness by testing interior moisture.
• Wire cooling rack: Allows bread to cool evenly and prevent soggy bottoms.
• Aluminum foil: Optional covering if bread browns too quickly during baking.

Steps to Make Pumpkin Banana Bread from Scratch

• Prep Baking Zone

Crank up the oven to a toasty 350°F. Grab your loaf pans and give them a quick spray or butter rub to prevent sticking.

• Blend Dry Ingredients

Toss all dry ingredients into a big mixing bowl. Whisk them together with a flick of the wrist until they’re perfectly combined and looking uniform.

• Create Wet Ingredient Magic

In another bowl, whip together sugars, oil, and eggs until silky smooth. Fold in pumpkin and mashed bananas, stirring until everything looks creamy and well-integrated.

• Marry Wet and Dry Mixtures

Gently pour dry ingredients into wet mixture. Fold carefully with a light touch – you want everything just barely combined. Sprinkle in pecans for that delightful crunch.

• Bake and Transform

Pour batter into prepared pans, spreading evenly. Slide into hot oven and bake for about 55 minutes. Test doneness by sliding a toothpick into center – a few moist crumbs are perfect. If top gets too dark, drape with foil. After baking, let bread hang out in pan for a quick five-minute rest, then transfer to cooling rack.

Tips for Pioneer Woman’s Pumpkin Banana Bread Recipe

• Customize Spice Blend: Experiment with spice ratios to create your signature flavor profile. Swap ground cloves for cardamom or increase cinnamon for a bolder taste sensation.
• Swap Nuts Creatively: Replace pecans with walnuts, almonds, or sunflower seeds for different textures and nutty undertones. Toast nuts beforehand to enhance their rich, deep flavor.
• Make It Healthier: Substitute half the vegetable oil with unsweetened applesauce to reduce calories. Switch some all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for added nutrition and a heartier texture.
• Freeze for Later: Wrap cooled bread tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Store in freezer up to 3 months. Thaw overnight at room temperature for a quick breakfast or snack anytime.

Serving Up Slices of Pumpkin Banana Bread

• Serve with Cream Cheese Spread: Slice bread and spread a generous layer of softened cream cheese for a tangy, creamy complement to the spiced pumpkin flavor.
• Perfect Breakfast Companion: Toast a slice and pair with a hot cup of coffee or chai tea for a cozy morning treat that warms you from the inside out.
• Dessert Transformation: Cut into cubes, layer in a parfait glass with vanilla yogurt and sprinkle of extra chopped pecans for an elegant dessert presentation.
• Holiday Gift Option: Wrap cooled loaves in festive parchment paper and tie with a ribbon for a delightful homemade gift during autumn gatherings.

Pumpkin Banana Bread Storage and Prep Tips

• Preserve Freshness: Store your pumpkin banana bread in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap or place in a sealed container to maintain moisture and prevent drying out.
• Refrigerate for Extended Enjoyment: For longer storage, keep the bread in the refrigerator for up to a week. Cold storage helps preserve the bread's soft texture and prevents spoilage.
• Freeze for Future Cravings: Slice the bread before freezing for easy portioning. Wrap individual slices or the whole loaf in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze up to 3 months for a quick and delicious treat anytime.
• Revive and Serve: Thaw frozen bread at room temperature or warm slightly in the microwave. For best results, reheat in the oven at 350°F for 5-10 minutes to restore that fresh-baked taste and soft texture.

Hearty Pioneer Woman Pumpkin Banana Bread Recipe

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4.8 from 15 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Hearty pioneer woman pumpkin banana bread combines autumn’s warmest spices with classic comfort. Sweet banana and rich pumpkin merge in one delectable loaf you’ll savor until the last crumb.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 3 cups (375 g / 13.2 oz) unbleached all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (200 g / 7 oz) granulated sugar
• ½ cup (100 g / 3.5 oz) lightly packed light brown sugar
• 1 cup (240 g / 8.5 oz) canned pumpkin puree
• 1 cup (240 g / 8.5 oz) mashed ripe banana
• ⅔ cup (160 ml / 5.4 fl oz) vegetable oil
• 3 eggs
• 1 cup (100 g / 3.5 oz) chopped pecans
• 2 tsps (10 g / 0.35 oz) baking soda
• 1 ½ tsps (4 g / 0.14 oz) cinnamon
• 1 tsp (6 g / 0.21 oz) kosher salt
• ¾ tsp (2 g / 0.07 oz) ginger
• ½ tsp (2.5 g / 0.09 oz) baking powder
• ½ tsp (1.5 g / 0.05 oz) cloves
• ¼ tsp (0.75 g / 0.03 oz) freshly grated nutmeg

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Grease two 8×4 or 9×5-inch loaf pans with cooking spray or butter, ensuring complete coverage.
2. Dry Ingredient Blend: Sift together flour, baking soda, salt, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and nutmeg in a large mixing bowl. Whisk until spices are evenly distributed, creating a uniform dry mixture.
3. Wet Ingredient Fusion: In a separate bowl, whisk granulated sugar, brown sugar, vegetable oil, and eggs until smooth. Fold in pumpkin puree and mashed banana, stirring until the mixture achieves a consistent golden color and creamy texture.
4. Batter Assembly: Gently incorporate dry ingredients into wet mixture, using light folding motions to prevent dense texture. Fold in chopped pecans during the final mixing stage, ensuring minimal disruption to the batter’s airiness.
5. Baking Process: Divide batter evenly between prepared loaf pans, smoothing surfaces with a spatula. Bake for 50-55 minutes, rotating pans midway through cooking. Confirm doneness by inserting a toothpick—it should emerge with minimal moist crumbs.
6. Cooling and Serving: Allow loaves to rest in pans for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Cool completely before slicing to maintain optimal moisture and structural integrity.

Notes

• Measure Precisely: Use exact measurements for flour, spices, and other ingredients to ensure consistent texture and flavor in every loaf.
• Ripe Banana Magic: Select overripe bananas with dark spots for maximum sweetness and deeper banana flavor that enhances the bread’s moisture.
• Spice Balance Matters: Freshly ground spices or recently purchased ground spices will provide a more vibrant and robust flavor profile compared to older, stale spices.
• Cooling Technique: Allow the bread to cool completely on a wire rack to prevent soggy bottoms and maintain the ideal crumb structure.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 320
• Sugar: 25 g
• Sodium: 200 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 2.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 60 mg