Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon

Spiced Chocolate Banana Bread with Walnuts and Bourbon-soaked Raisins


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

  • Author: Jessie Chien
  • Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
  • Yield: 8 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3/4 cup (110g) AP flour
  • 1/4 cup (40g) whole wheat flour
  • 2 Tbsp. (10g) unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 2 tsp. baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp. baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 1/4 tsp. allspice
  • 1/4 cup (100g) sugar
  • 1/2 cup (120g) unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 eggs, room temperature
  • 4 small ripe bananas
  • 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
  • 1 heaping tsp. orange zest
  • 1 cup chopped walnuts
  • 1 cup golden raisins
  • 4 Tbsp. bourbon (alternatively, rum or Grand Marnier)

Instructions

  1. First, place one cup of raisins into a small saucepan with 4 Tbsp. alcohol. When it comes to a boil, turn off heat. Cover with a lid, and let the raisins soak for one hour. Drain.
  2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  3. In a medium bowl, combine the first seven ingredients: both flours, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and allspice. Mix well.
  4. In a large bowl, whisk sugar and melted butter until fully incorporated. Add two eggs and whisk well (tip: If eggs are cold, place under warm water running from the faucet for 2 minutes, and they should be at room temperature).
  5. In a small bowl, mash 4 small bananas with a fork. It’s all right if some small chunks remain. Add the mashed bananas into the sugar-butter-egg mixture, and add vanilla extract and orange zest. Mix well.
  6. Add dry ingredients into the large bowl, about 1/3 at a time. Make sure to stir well in between each addition.
  7. Add in walnuts and bourbon-soaked raisins.
  8. Butter and flour an 8-inch round pan, or a loaf pan (I am the only avid baker I know who does not own a loaf pan). Pour the batter into the pan, eliminating bubbles by dropping the pan on your counter a couple of times.
  9. Bake for 40-50 minutes, depending on your oven. A toothpick inserted into the middle of the pan should come out clean.

Notes

The alcohol from the bourbon (or whatever alcohol your choose to use) will burn off through the course of the cooking and baking, so there should be no concern for serving the recipe to kids or those who are on-the-wagon.
Feel free to skip the bourbon soaking of the raisins to cut down on time, or if you have any concerns about the alcohol.

  • Prep Time: 1 hour
  • Cook Time: 45 mins