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The Featured Table: Cherry Chocolate Pumpkin Banana Bread

Welcome back to The Featured Table, where we gather inspiration for creating delicious moments around the table. After the busy holidays packed with family and friends, I decided to make something simple yet satisfying: Cherry Chocolate Pumpkin Banana Bread. This nutrient-packed bread is moist, dense, and utterly delightful – perfect for starting your morning with a cup of coffee, pairing with afternoon tea, or serving to guests as a special treat.

What makes this bread stand out is its balance of healthy ingredients and irresistible flavors. This bread may sound like it has a lot going on, but trust me, the flavors combine beautifully with pumpkin, bananas, sweet cherries, and chocolate. The sweetness of bananas, richness of chocolate, and the subtle spice of pumpkin combine beautifully, while chopped cherries add a surprising pop of sweetness to every bite. Let’s dive into how to make it!

Cherry Chocolate Pumpkin Banana Bread

Ingredients

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 2 medium bananas, mashed
  • 1 cup canned pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
  • 1/2 cup chopped sweet cherries
  • 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease and flour a 9×5-inch loaf pan. (Sometimes I use sugar instead of flour.)
  2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
  3. Combine Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the oil, sugars, eggs, and vanilla extract until smooth.
  4. Incorporate Banana & Pumpkin: Stir in the mashed bananas and pumpkin puree until combined.
  5. Blend Ingredients: Carefully mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients using a rubber spatula or wooden spoon. (If you mix it too much, the bread will be tough and chewy.) Then fold in the chopped cherries and chocolate chips.
  6. Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and the top feels firm. The loaf should not wobble when the pan is nudged.

With its moist texture and layered flavors, this bread is a versatile addition to your week, whether you’re treating yourself or hosting loved ones. Serve it straight from the pan or turn out onto a plate or cutting board, brew your favorite coffee or tea, and enjoy the simplicity of a perfect slice.

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Banana Blueberry Muffins

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I love muffins!  I’ve been making them for years and am always adapting and tweaking my recipes – the variations are endless. They are super easy to make, you can pack them with fruit and feel great about serving them for breakfast or snacks at any time.  Lately, I start with a basic banana bread recipe and have adapted it to add even more fruit, or sometimes chocolate chips, depending on what I have on hand.  You can go even further and add a lemon icing – delish! I’ll share my basic banana blueberry muffin recipe here.  Enjoy!

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Sometimes I use paper mini loaf pans instead of muffin tins!

Banana Blueberry Muffin Recipe

  • Muffin/Cupcake paper liners
  • 8 tablespoons (1 stick) salted butter, melted and cooled
  • 1 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 2 large eggs, beaten
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 4 very ripe bananas, mashed
  • 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 – ½ cups blueberries
  • 1-2 teaspoons granulated sugar, if desired
  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and line your muffin tin with paper liners
  2. Beat together the butter, brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla in a standing mixer until well blended. Add the bananas and mix until combined.
  3. In a separate bowl, mix the flour, baking soda and salt. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients in the mixer.
  4. Place 3-4 blueberries in the bottom of each paper liner. Add most of the rest of the blueberries to the batter, mixing with a wooden spoon. Divide the batter between the 12 muffin cups and place remaining blueberries on top.  Sprinkle with a spoonful of granulated sugar on top if desired.
  5. Bake for 35 – 40 minutes, watching closely towards the end. Make sure a toothpick comes out clean.
  6. Cool and serve.

For variations, add chocolate chips instead of blueberries or add a mix of fruit – raspberries, cherries, blackberries.

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Banana Blueberry Muffins with Blackberries

 

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Carrie Allen created this site as a way for people to share stories about things they love.  She loves chasing quiet, authentic moments and sharing them with her family and friends.  Read more about her inspiration here. 

 

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