Vegan Cardamom Guava Banana Bread (Printable)

Fragrant tropical loaf with ripe bananas, guava pulp, and warm cardamom spices. Moist, dairy-free, and perfect for any time of day.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Fruit

01 - 1 cup ripe banana, mashed (approximately 2 medium bananas)
02 - 3/4 cup guava pulp, fresh or canned, strained if seedy
03 - Zest of 1 lime

→ Wet Ingredients

04 - 1/2 cup light brown sugar
05 - 1/3 cup neutral oil such as sunflower or canola
06 - 1/4 cup unsweetened plant-based milk such as almond, oat, or soy
07 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

→ Dry Ingredients

08 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
09 - 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cardamom
10 - 1 teaspoon baking soda
11 - 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
12 - 1/4 teaspoon salt

→ Optional

13 - 1/3 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
14 - 2 tablespoons coarse sugar for topping

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and line a standard 9 by 5 inch loaf pan with parchment paper.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, mash bananas until smooth. Stir in guava pulp and lime zest until evenly distributed.
03 - Add brown sugar, oil, plant-based milk, and vanilla extract to the fruit mixture. Stir until thoroughly combined.
04 - In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, ground cardamom, baking soda, baking powder, and salt until evenly blended.
05 - Add dry ingredients to wet mixture and stir gently until just combined. Avoid overmixing to maintain a tender crumb.
06 - Fold in chopped nuts if using, distributing evenly throughout batter.
07 - Pour batter into prepared loaf pan and smooth the surface. Sprinkle coarse sugar on top if desired.
08 - Bake for 45 to 55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean or with few moist crumbs.
09 - Allow bread to cool in pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto wire rack to cool completely before slicing.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • Tropical Flavor: The combination of guava and cardamom creates a unique and sophisticated flavor profile.
  • Totally Vegan: A dairy-free and egg-free treat that doesn't sacrifice moisture or texture.
  • Quick and Easy: Simple preparation steps with no special equipment required beyond basic mixing bowls.
02 -
  • Avoid Overmixing: Only stir until the flour streaks disappear to keep the texture light and airy.
  • Strain the Guava: If using fresh guava pulp, make sure to strain out any hard seeds before adding it to the batter.
  • Oven Accuracy: Check the bread at the 45-minute mark, as oven temperatures can vary.
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