Masala Chai Banana Bread

Steps

1. 1

   Preheat your oven to 350°F (180 °C) (175°C (350 °F)). Grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan with butter or line it with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy removal.

2. 2

   In a large mixing bowl, mash the 3 ripe bananas with a fork until mostly smooth but with some small chunks remaining.

3. 3

   Stir the melted and cooled butter into the mashed bananas until well combined.

4. 4

   Add the brown sugar, egg, and vanilla extract to the banana mixture. Whisk until the mixture is smooth and the sugar has mostly dissolved.

5. 5

   In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, cloves, and black pepper until evenly distributed.

6. 6

   Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients using a spatula. Mix just until no streaks of flour remain; do not overmix, as this will result in a tough bread.

7. 7

   Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top with a spatula.

8. 8

   Bake for 50 to 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.

   Start 1-hour timer
9. 9

   Remove the pan from the oven and let the bread cool in the pan for at least 10 minutes.

   Start 10-minute timer
10. 10

    Lift the bread out of the pan using the parchment paper and transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.