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    Home » Baking & Desserts

    Blueberry Banana Bread

    Published: Jul 9, 2019 · Modified: Oct 5, 2020 by Tammy Circeo · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

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    Sliced loaf of blueberry banana bread on a white platter
    Slices of Blueberry Banana Bread on a platter

    This post may contain affiliate links which means that if you click them and purchase something, I get a little commission. Thank you for your support.

    Blueberry Banana Bread came into my life when we lived in Utah many years ago. My elderly neighbor had been caring for his wife during her last days and I took them a meal. Not a full week after her funeral had passed when Les showed up on my door holding a loaf of warm Blueberry Banana Bread to thank me for the meal. I was so touched.

    And the bread was amazing! So amazing that it's what we make when the bananas get a bit too ripe to eat. And I think of Les every time.

    Bananas and blueberries on a board

    Blueberry Banana Bread Secrets

    • Blueberries
    • Cardamom
    • Brown sugar on top

    I had never had blueberries in banana bread before and I certainly hadn't had banana bread perfumed with cardamom. I tell you, it's a match made in heaven.

    Blueberries and cardamom on a board
    Blueberries stirred into the batter

    Another secret of this bread is the bit of brown sugar that you put down the middle of each loaf before baking. It melts in and gets caramelly and crunchy.

    Brown sugar on the top of the banana bread

    Dietary Changes

    • Gluten-free flour for the all-purpose flour
    • Coconut sugar for the brown and granulated

    As usual, with my avoidance of gluten, I substituted 1:1 gluten- free flour blend for the all-purpose flour and was pleased that it turned out just fine!

    I also used coconut sugar rather than the brown and granulated called for. The recipe calls for ¾ cup of each and that can cause a huge blood sugar spike! With coconut sugar being lower on the glycemic scale, I thought it wise to make the substitution! In addition, coconut sugar has a slight caramel-like flavor that I find delicious in this bread.

    The recipe makes two loaves and I experimented with using coconut sugar down the middle of one loaf rather than the brown sugar. It doesn't melt quite as nicely, but it is still delicious.

    Two loaves of banana blueberry bread in cast iron loaf pans

    Are you wondering about those loaf pans? Yep, they are Lodge cast iron! I got them a few years ago when a friend alerted me that Lodge had them on sale for $10 apiece and weren't going to be sold any more. However, have found that you absolutely can still buy them! Not at $10 apiece, but $40 for two probably won't break the bank. Other companies make them as well: Staub ($199!), Old Mountain, ($30), Bayou Classic ($24), and Camp Chef ($15) are some good choices.

    Toasty brown sugar on the top of the baked blueberry banana bread

    This bread is delicious for breakfast, snack, or dessert. With tea, coffee, or milk. You'll find yourself hoping that your bananas will ripen more quickly!

    Slices of blueberry banana bread on a platter to serve

    Recipe

    Slices of Blueberry Banana Bread on a platter

    Blueberry Banana Bread

    Tammy Circeo
    Blueberries do, in fact, belong in banana bread, especially when it is perfumed with cardamom. This recipe came originally from a neighbor, Les Robertson. Look in the notes to find changes I've made to make it gluten-free and have a lower glycemic index.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 20 minutes mins
    Cook Time 1 hour hr 5 minutes mins
    Total Time 1 hour hr 25 minutes mins
    Course Breads
    Cuisine American
    Servings 2 loaves

    Ingredients
      

    • ¼ cup butter softened
    • ¾ cup brown sugar
    • ¾ cup granulated sugar
    • 2 eggs lightly beaten
    • ½ cup buttermilk
    • 3 large ripe bananas mashed
    • 3 cups flour
    • 1½ teaspoons baking soda
    • 1 teaspoon ground cardamom
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • 2 cups blueberries fresh or frozen

    Instructions
     

    • Heat oven to 325°.
    • Prepare two loaf pans by lining them with parchment paper and greasing the part of the pan not covered by the paper.
    • Cream the butter with the sugars with a hand mixer or in the bowl of stand mixer.
    • Mix the eggs, buttermilk, and bananas and add to the creamed sugar mixture.
    • Combine flour, baking soda, salt and ground cardamom and mix with the wet ingredients.
    • Stir in the blueberries by hand being careful to not break them.
    • Divide the batter between the two loaf pans.
    • Sprinkle 3-4 tablespoons of brown sugar down the center of each loaf.
    • Bake 65-70 minutes.

    Notes

    To make it gluten-free, substitute a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend for the flour. 
    To lower the glycemic index, use coconut sugar in place of the brown and granulated sugars. This will also change the flavor a bit because coconut sugar has more of a caramel flavor. Personally, I find it to be an improvement.
    Keyword banana bread, blueberry banana, bread
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
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    I have always loved nurturing and feeding people. My cooking style is influenced by my Southern parents, time living in Europe, and the foods available in the Pacific Northwest, where I lived for over 20 years. I cook from scratch and strongly support local farms and producers, believing that food plays a pivotal role in our quality of life.

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