Sugar Cookie Banana Bread: Cozy Christmas Loaf
This Sugar Cookie Banana Bread is pure magic! It’s my go-to treat when I want something cozy and sweet. You get that classic banana bread we all love, but with a fun sugar cookie twist. The best part? Those colorful sprinkles make every bite feel like a party.
I absolutely adore this recipe because it turns those sad, brown bananas into something amazing. Plus, it makes your whole kitchen smell like Christmas morning! The almond extract gives it that special cookie flavor that reminds me of baking with my grandma.
Want more fun holiday breads? Check out my red velvet banana bread, cranberry pecan pumpkin bread, and cranberry orange bread, too!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Let me tell you what goes into this yummy bread! Note: Check the recipe card below for the full ingredients list and exact amounts.
- Unsalted Butter: Makes your bread super soft and rich with amazing taste.
- Dark Brown Sugar: Adds that sweet caramel flavor that tastes SO good with bananas.
- Overripe Bananas: The blacker, the better! They make everything moist and naturally sweet.
- Almond Extract: This is the secret ingredient that makes it taste like sugar cookies!
- All-Purpose Flour: Gives the bread its perfect soft and fluffy texture inside.
- Sprinkles (Jimmies): The fun, colorful part! Use the long ones for the best results.
How to Make Sugar Cookie Banana Bread
Ready to bake? Let’s make this delicious bread together! It’s super easy, I promise.
Step 1: Prepare Your Pan and Oven
Turn your oven to 350°F. Line your loaf pan with parchment paper or give it a good greasing. This keeps your bread from sticking when it’s done baking. Trust me, this step is important!
Step 2: Melt and Mix Butter
Pop 1/2 cup butter in the microwave for 30 seconds at a time until it’s melted. Let it cool down a bit. Then mix in 3/4 cup brown sugar and 1/4 cup white sugar until it’s all combined.
Step 3: Combine Wet Ingredients
Now add 4 mashed bananas, 1 egg, 1/4 cup milk, 1 teaspoon vanilla, and 1 teaspoon almond extract. Stir it all up until everything looks smooth. No lumps allowed here!
Step 4: Incorporate Dry Ingredients
Time to add 2 cups flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Mix it gently until just combined. See a few white streaks? That’s totally fine! Don’t mix too much or your bread gets tough.
Step 5: Add Festive Sprinkles
Fold in 1/2 cup sprinkles nice and easy. Just a few gentle stirs will do it. This keeps all those pretty colors bright and cheerful. Aren’t they cute?
Step 6: Fill Pan and Top
Pour your batter into the pan and smooth the top with a spoon. Then add MORE sprinkles on top! Go ahead, be generous. The more sprinkles, the prettier it looks!
Step 7: Bake Until Golden
Bake for 60-65 minutes. Stick a toothpick in the middle. If it comes out clean, you’re done! The top will be golden brown with a nice crack down the center. That means it’s PERFECT!
Step 8: Cool and Serve
Let it cool in the pan for 30 minutes before taking it out. I know it’s hard to wait! But this helps it slice up nice and neat without falling apart.
Tips for the Best Sugar Cookie Banana Bread
- Use very ripe bananas with black spots or peels for the sweetest, yummiest flavor ever.
- Don’t overmix the batter after you add the flour, or your bread won’t be soft.
- Choose jimmies sprinkles because they keep their colors and don’t bleed into the batter.
- Let the butter cool a little bit so it doesn’t scramble your egg when you mix.
- Wait before slicing for the best cuts that look pretty and Instagram-worthy.
Variations and Substitutions
Want to switch things up a bit? Here are some fun ideas to try!
- Make it nutty: Toss in 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans for extra crunch and flavor.
- Try different extracts: Use coconut or just vanilla if you don’t have almond extract at home.
- Go chocolate: Add 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips with your sprinkles for double the sweetness.
- Use gluten-free flour: Swap regular flour with gluten-free blend if you need to avoid gluten.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this bread ahead of time?
Yes! Bake it up to 2 days early and keep it covered on your counter. It actually tastes even better the next day when all the flavors mix together nicely.
How do I store leftover banana bread?
Keep your bread in a container with a tight lid for 3-4 days at room temperature. Want to save it longer? Wrap slices in plastic and freeze them for up to 3 months.
What makes this different from regular banana bread?
The almond extract and sprinkles give it that fun sugar cookie taste we all love. It’s sweeter than normal banana bread and tastes like Christmas cookies and bananas had a baby!
Why are my bananas not ripe enough?
Put them in a paper bag on your counter for 2-3 days to ripen faster. Need them today? Bake them at 300°F for 15-20 minutes until the peels turn totally black.
Can I make mini loaves instead?
Totally! Split the batter into 3-4 mini pans and bake for 30-35 minutes instead. Just check with a toothpick to make sure they’re done before taking them out.
How do I know when the bread is done?
Poke a toothpick in the center. Does it come out clean? Then you’re good! The top should be golden and probably cracked open in the middle, too.
Can I use salted butter instead?
You can! Just use only 1/4 teaspoon salt instead of 1/2 teaspoon in the recipe. This keeps it from tasting too salty and balances everything out perfectly.
Sugar Cookie Banana Bread: Cozy Christmas Loaf
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 3/4 cup dark brown sugar, packed
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 4 overripe bananas, mashed
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/2 cup sprinkles (jimmies), plus extra for topping
Equipment
- 9×5-inch loaf pan
- Large Mixing Bowl
- Potato masher or fork
- Parchment paper
Instructions
- Turn your oven to 350°F and line your loaf pan with parchment paper or grease it well.
- Melt the butter in the microwave in short bursts until it’s completely melted, then let it cool.
- Mix the brown sugar and white sugar into the melted butter until everything looks smooth and combined.
- Add mashed bananas, egg, milk, vanilla extract, and almond extract, then stir until it’s all mixed together.
- Gently add flour, baking powder, and salt until just mixed, with some flour streaks still showing.
- Fold in sprinkles using soft turns to spread them out without mixing the batter too much.
- Pour batter into your pan and smooth the top, then add lots of sprinkles on top.
- Bake at 350°F for 60-65 minutes until a toothpick poked in the middle comes out totally clean.
- Let the bread cool in the pan for 30 minutes before you take it out and slice.
- Slice it up and ENJOY warm or cool, keeping leftovers in a sealed container for freshness.
Notes
- Black or super ripe bananas give you the best sweet flavor and make it moist.
- Cool your melted butter a bit so it doesn’t cook the egg when you mix.
- Mix gently and don’t overdo it to keep your bread soft and tender inside.
- Jimmies sprinkles are best because they don’t bleed their colors into the batter like round ones.
- This bread tastes even more amazing the day after you bake it, so be patient!
