Deliciously Moist Walnut Banana Bread with Fancy Molasses & Crunchy Streusel

Prepare to be enchanted by the irresistible aroma and delightful taste of this Walnut Banana Bread with Molasses. Each slice offers a perfect symphony of flavors and textures: a tender, soft crumb infused with sweet, ripe banana and warming cinnamon, all beautifully complemented by the rich, subtle notes of fancy molasses. To elevate this classic comfort food, it’s generously topped with a crunchy walnut streusel that adds an extra layer of sweetness and textural contrast. This isn’t just any banana bread; it’s a soul-satisfying treat that promises to be the perfect companion for your next cup of tea or coffee.

This recipe holds a special place in my heart, thanks to my long-standing connection with Crosby’s Molasses. Growing up in Newfoundland, Crosby’s wasn’t just an ingredient; it was a household staple, essential for beloved dishes like baked beans, traditional brown bread, jam tarts, spicy gingerbread, and our cherished toutons (fried dough). So, when Crosby’s reached out to collaborate on their fall campaign, I was absolutely thrilled. It felt like a natural fit to incorporate such an iconic product into a comforting fall bake.

Crosby’s Molasses is a proudly Canadian, family-owned company based in New Brunswick, boasting an impressive 140-year legacy of importing high-quality molasses. They offer a range of molasses varieties, including fancy, blackstrap, and cooking molasses, each with distinct characteristics. The walnut banana bread recipe I’m sharing today is a delicious adaptation of Crosby’s own whole wheat molasses banana bread, and it features their exquisite fancy molasses, which lends a unique depth and warmth to the loaf.

Understanding Fancy Molasses: A Sweet Revelation

If you’re new to the world of molasses, you might be wondering about the “fancy” designation. Fancy molasses is truly special. It is pure sugarcane juice that undergoes a meticulous process of condensation, inversion, and purification. Unlike other molasses varieties, it contains no additives and stands out as a natural sweetener comparable to high-quality maple syrup or honey, but with its own distinct, subtly rich flavor profile.

In Canada, fancy molasses holds the highest grade of molasses available and even has a specific standard of identity. The term ‘fancy’ itself is unique to Canada, reserved exclusively for pure sugarcane juice that has been inverted into a syrup. This distinction ensures that when you choose fancy molasses, you’re getting a product that is not only naturally sweet but also retains some of the beneficial minerals from the sugarcane, offering a healthier, more complex alternative to refined sugars. Its lighter color and milder, sweeter taste make it incredibly versatile for baking, imparting a delicate warmth without being overpowering.

Why This Molasses Walnut Banana Bread Will Become Your New Favorite

There are countless reasons to fall in love with this particular banana bread recipe:

• Unrivaled Tenderness and Moisture: Thanks to the inclusion of molasses and olive oil, this bread boasts an exceptionally tender and moist crumb that stays fresh for several days when stored properly on your counter. No dry slices here!
• Subtle Yet Rich Flavor: The molasses doesn’t dominate the flavor profile; instead, it adds a subtle warmth and a deep, caramel-like sweetness that perfectly complements the natural banana flavor. It’s an elevated twist on classic banana bread.
• Dairy-Free Delight: This recipe is completely dairy-free, made without butter, milk, or sour cream, making it a wonderful option for those with dietary restrictions or preferences without sacrificing any flavor or texture.
• Effortless Preparation: You won’t need any fancy kitchen gadgets or special equipment. A few mixing bowls and a simple whisk or spoon are all you need to bring this delicious loaf to life.
• Irresistible Walnut Streusel Topping: The star of the show! This crunchy streusel not only adds another layer of sweet molasses flavor but also provides a delightful textural contrast with its buttery oats and crunchy walnuts against the bread’s soft interior.

Key Ingredients for the Perfect Loaf

Each ingredient in this recipe plays a crucial role in achieving its outstanding flavor and texture:

• Molasses: As highlighted, this recipe specifically calls for fancy molasses. Its unique warm, sweet, and deep flavor is key to the bread’s distinct taste. While other varieties exist, we highly recommend sticking to fancy molasses for the intended results, as blackstrap or cooking molasses have not been tested and may alter the flavor and texture significantly due to their stronger, more bitter profiles.
• Bananas: The secret to truly delicious banana bread lies in using very overripe bananas. Look for bananas with plenty of brown spots or even entirely brown peels. These bananas are naturally sweeter and much easier to mash, ensuring a smooth, lump-free batter and an intensely banana-flavored bread. Make sure to mash them thoroughly!
• Walnuts: Raw walnut pieces are integrated both into the bread batter and the streusel topping, providing a delightful crunch and nutty texture. If you only have walnut halves, simply break them into smaller pieces. We advise against using finely chopped walnuts, as their smaller size won’t deliver the same satisfying texture and presence within the bread. For an extra layer of flavor, consider lightly toasting your walnuts before adding them.
• Flour: To achieve the perfect balance of heartiness and lightness, this recipe utilizes a blend of whole wheat and white flour. My tests with all whole wheat flour resulted in a loaf that was too dense, while using all white flour can sometimes lead to an under-baked texture in banana bread. The combination ensures a delicious balance, with whole wheat contributing fiber and a subtle nuttiness, and white flour keeping the bread tender and airy.
• Coconut Sugar: This natural sweetener is used in both the bread and the streusel topping. Coconut sugar boasts a lovely caramel-like taste, very similar to brown sugar, making it an excellent choice for adding depth of flavor. If coconut sugar isn’t available, brown sugar is a perfect 1:1 substitute.
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Instead of butter, this recipe uses olive oil, which contributes to the bread’s incredible moisture and keeps it dairy-free. Choose a mild-flavored extra virgin olive oil so its taste doesn’t overpower the other ingredients.
• Almond Milk & Apple Cider Vinegar: Combining these two ingredients creates a simple, effective dairy-free “buttermilk” substitute. The acidity reacts with the baking soda, helping the bread to rise beautifully and ensuring a tender crumb.
• Spices & Leavening Agents: Cinnamon adds warmth, while baking powder and baking soda work in harmony (especially with the soured almond milk) to give the bread its perfect lift and texture. A pinch of salt balances all the sweet flavors.

Crafting Your Molasses Walnut Banana Bread: A Step-by-Step Guide

While the ingredient list may seem extensive, I assure you, this banana bread is surprisingly straightforward to make. We’ll begin by preparing the irresistible streusel topping, then set it aside while we mix together the main banana bread batter. The process is broken down into easy, manageable steps to ensure a perfect loaf every time.

Step 1: Prepare the Crunchy Streusel Topping

• In a medium-sized bowl, combine all the streusel ingredients: raw walnut pieces, flour, rolled oats, coconut sugar, virgin cold-pressed coconut oil, and Crosby’s Fancy Molasses. Use your hands to thoroughly mix everything together. Keep mixing and squeezing until the mixture is well combined, forming a wet, sticky, and clumpy texture. These clumps are what will create those delicious pockets of crunch on top of your bread. Set this aside while you proceed with the bread batter.

Step 2: Assemble the Banana Bread Batter

• Step 1: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and preparing your loaf pan. Grease a 9×5 inch loaf pan, then line it with parchment paper, allowing the paper to overhang on the sides. This makes it incredibly easy to lift the baked bread out later.
• Step 2: In a small bowl, combine the unsweetened almond milk and apple cider vinegar. Stir briefly and let it sit for a few minutes while you prepare other ingredients; this will “sour” the milk, creating a dairy-free buttermilk that aids in leavening.
• Step 3: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the extra virgin olive oil and coconut sugar until well combined and smooth.
• Step 4: Stir in the Crosby’s Fancy Molasses, ensuring it’s fully incorporated into the oil and sugar mixture. The molasses will add a beautiful color and aroma.
• Step 5: Add the eggs, one at a time, whisking well after each addition until fully blended.
• Step 6: Incorporate the soured almond milk mixture, vanilla extract, and thoroughly mashed bananas into the wet ingredients. Stir until just combined; it’s okay if there are small banana pieces, but avoid large lumps.

• Step 7: In a separate medium bowl, combine all the dry ingredients: whole wheat flour, white flour, ground cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, and kosher salt. Whisk them together thoroughly to ensure even distribution of the leavening agents and spices.
• Step 8: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Stir gently with a spoon or spatula until they are *just* combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to a tough bread. A few streaks of flour are perfectly fine.
• Step 9: Gently fold in the raw walnut pieces into the batter. This ensures they are evenly distributed without overworking the dough.
• Step 10: Pour the finished batter into your prepared loaf pan, spreading it evenly. Then, spoon the streusel topping evenly over the entire surface of the bread batter. Press it lightly into the batter.
• Step 11: Bake in the preheated oven for 50-60 minutes, or until a wooden skewer or toothpick inserted into the center of the bread comes out clean, indicating it’s fully cooked. Keep an eye on the streusel topping to ensure it doesn’t burn.
• Step 12: Once baked, allow the bread to cool in the pan for about 10-15 minutes before carefully lifting it out using the parchment paper overhang and transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. This cooling process is crucial for the bread’s texture and for the streusel to set.

Frequently Asked Questions About Molasses Banana Bread

Expert Tips & Clever Substitutions for Baking Success

• Choose the Right Loaf Pan: This recipe yields a generous amount of batter, so it’s crucial to use a standard 9×5 inch loaf pan. Using a smaller pan will likely result in the batter overflowing during baking, creating a messy situation and potentially an underbaked center.
• Mind Your Pan Material: If you’re using a dark-colored loaf pan, be aware that the bottom and sides of your banana bread may brown more quickly than if you were using a lighter-colored pan. To prevent over-browning or even burning, lining your pan with parchment paper that overhangs the edges is highly recommended. This also makes for easier removal.
• Prevent Overbaking: Keep a close eye on your bread as it bakes. Overbaking, especially with the streusel topping, can lead to a dry loaf and a burnt topping. Begin checking for doneness around the 50-minute mark with a toothpick inserted into the center.
• Patience for Slicing: For the cleanest slices and to prevent the streusel topping from crumbling, allow the banana bread to cool completely on a wire rack before attempting to slice it. Warm bread is more fragile and prone to tearing.
• The Best Knife for the Job: A good quality bread knife or a large serrated knife will make slicing this loaf much easier and more precise, ensuring beautiful, even slices every time.
• Streusel-Free Option: If you’re short on time or simply prefer your banana bread without the streusel topping, feel free to omit it. The baking time will remain the same, and you’ll still have a wonderfully moist and flavorful molasses banana bread.
• Sweetener Substitution: As mentioned, coconut sugar can be directly substituted with brown sugar for similar caramel notes.
• Oil Variation: While extra virgin olive oil is recommended for its health benefits and dairy-free nature, a neutral-flavored oil like canola or vegetable oil can also be used if preferred.

Explore More Delicious Banana Recipes

If you’re a fan of all things banana, here are some other fantastic recipes to try from Crumb Top Baking:

• Spelt Flour Banana Bread
• Peanut Butter Banana Protein Donuts
• Spelt Banana Muffins
• Healthy Banana Nut Muffins
• Almond Flour Banana Cake
• Banana Cake with Oil

We truly hope you enjoy baking and savoring this Walnut Banana Bread with Molasses. It’s a recipe that brings warmth and comfort to any home. If you make this delightful bread, please consider sharing your thoughts and experience in the comments section below!

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