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The Ultimate Christmas Spiced Streusel Banana Bread: A Heartwarming Holiday Gift

Are you searching for a truly exceptional banana bread recipe? One that fills your home with comforting holiday aromas and tastes like a warm hug? Or perhaps you’re looking for the perfect, thoughtful gift to show appreciation to a cherished teacher or a wonderful neighbor? Look no further! This Christmas Spiced Streusel Banana Bread is not just a recipe; it’s an experience. Richly flavored with festive spices and crowned with a delightful streusel topping, it’s destined to become a staple in your holiday baking repertoire. Wrapped elegantly and adorned with a festive tag, it transforms into an unforgettable token of kindness.

There’s something uniquely special about homemade gifts, especially during the holiday season. They carry a personal touch and convey genuine warmth that store-bought items often lack. This Christmas Spiced Streusel Banana Bread embodies that spirit perfectly. It’s a delicious, comforting treat that speaks volumes about your care and effort. Imagine the joy on someone’s face as they unwrap a loaf of this aromatic bread, knowing it was baked just for them. It’s ideal for teachers who work tirelessly, neighbors who brighten your day, or any loved one deserving of a sweet, seasonal surprise.

Baking with Love: Why This Banana Bread Shines

What sets this particular banana bread apart from the rest? It’s the harmonious blend of classic banana bread comfort with an inviting holiday twist. The addition of warm, aromatic spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves infuses every slice with the quintessential flavors of Christmas. But the real star is the streusel topping. A buttery, crumbly mixture of brown sugar, flour, and more spices, it adds a delightful texture and an extra layer of sweetness that elevates this bread from simple to spectacular. Each bite offers a moist, tender crumb, complemented by the satisfying crunch of the streusel.

While the taste is undoubtedly paramount, the presentation is also key, especially when gifting. I’ve personally used cute little ceramic loaf pans to bake mine, which adds an extra touch of charm to the gift. However, don’t feel limited! The inherent deliciousness of this bread means recipients won’t mind if it arrives in a simple, disposable aluminum loaf pan. The thought, effort, and incredible flavor are what truly count. The most important thing is to bake it with love, knowing that each loaf will bring a smile and a moment of pure bliss to those who receive it.

I lovingly prepared several of these loaves for our wonderful teachers, hoping they would enjoy them while “loafing” around during their much-deserved Christmas Break!

To enhance the gift-giving experience, I created a special tag. Feel free to print it off and use it for your own loaves!

“A Special Treat for while you’re “LOAFING” around over Christmas Break.”

I discovered the inspiration for these charming tags on Pinterest, which led me to the creative insights shared on CrazyLittleProjects.com. It’s a fantastic resource for DIY ideas and holiday crafting. The combination of a heartfelt, homemade treat with a clever, custom tag truly makes for an unforgettable present.

While the gift tag inspiration came from a wonderful online community, this particular recipe for Christmas Spiced Streusel Banana Bread is my very own creation, perfected over time to deliver maximum flavor and holiday cheer!

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Christmas Spiced Streusel Banana Bread / Gift Idea / Printable Tag

Looking for a great banana bread recipe? Or maybe a perfect gift for a teacher or a neighbor? Look no further! This bread is fantastic, especially when wrapped up with the free printable tag tied on with some ribbon. Perfect for thoughtful gift giving!

This recipe yields one glorious loaf, bursting with holiday cheer and incredible flavor.

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Christmas Spiced Streusel Banana Bread, Holiday Baking, Banana Bread Gift

Servings: 1 loaf

Author: Michaela Kenkel

Ingredients

For the Bread:

3 ripe bananas, mashed (the riper, the better for sweetness and moisture!)
1 cup sugar
1 stick (1/2 cup) butter, softened
2 eggs
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon cloves
2 cups all-purpose flour
6 Tablespoons milk

For the Streusel:

2/3 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon cloves
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
4 Tablespoons cold butter, cut into small pieces

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175°C). Prepare a standard loaf pan by lightly spraying it with a non-stick cooking spray. This ensures your beautiful bread releases easily.
In a large mixing bowl, combine all the ingredients for the bread: mashed bananas, sugar, softened butter, eggs, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, flour, and milk. Using an electric mixer or a sturdy whisk, mix until the batter is smooth and well combined. Be careful not to overmix; just combine until no streaks of dry flour remain.
In a separate medium-sized bowl, prepare the streusel topping. Combine the brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. Add the cold butter pieces. Using two knives or your fingertips, cut the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse, wet sand with pea-sized crumbs. This creates that irresistible crunchy topping.
Pour half of the prepared bread mixture into your greased loaf pan. Evenly sprinkle half of the streusel topping over the batter. Carefully pour the remaining bread batter on top, then finish by sprinkling the rest of the streusel mixture generously over the surface. Bake for approximately 60 minutes, or until a wooden skewer or toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean.

Tips for a Perfect Loaf and Ideal Gifting

Achieving the perfect banana bread is all about a few key details. Always use very ripe bananas – the ones with plenty of brown spots are ideal as they provide the best sweetness and moisture. When mixing the batter, avoid overmixing; stir just until the ingredients are combined to keep the bread tender. For the streusel, working quickly with cold butter prevents it from melting too soon and ensures a crumbly texture. If the top starts to brown too quickly during baking, you can loosely tent it with aluminum foil.

Once your Christmas Spiced Streusel Banana Bread is baked to golden perfection, allow it to cool in the pan for about 10-15 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. This helps it set and prevents it from crumbling. For gifting, ensure the bread is fully cooled before wrapping. A simple cellophane bag tied with a festive ribbon and the “LOAFING” tag attached makes for a charming presentation. You can also place the cooled loaf in a decorative box lined with parchment paper.

Elevate Your Holiday Baking with Delicious Variations

While this recipe is fantastic as is, feel free to customize it to your liking! For an extra layer of flavor and crunch, consider adding 1/2 cup of chopped walnuts or pecans to the bread batter. If you’re a chocolate lover, a handful of mini chocolate chips would also be a delightful addition, creating a rich contrast with the spices. For an even more decadent treat, once the bread has cooled, you could drizzle a simple cream cheese glaze over the top. Simply whisk together powdered sugar, a touch of milk, and a hint of vanilla extract until smooth, then spoon it over the loaf.

Storage Recommendations

To keep your Christmas Spiced Streusel Banana Bread fresh and delicious, store it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days. If you want it to last longer, you can refrigerate it for up to a week. This banana bread also freezes beautifully! Wrap cooled loaves tightly in plastic wrap, then in aluminum foil, and freeze for up to 2-3 months. Thaw at room temperature when you’re ready to enjoy or gift it. It’s perfect for making ahead during the busy holiday season.

Nutrition

Please note: The following nutritional information is an estimate for the entire loaf, as calculated by the original recipe source. Actual values may vary based on ingredients and preparation methods. It’s advisable to consult a nutritionist for precise dietary planning, especially when considering individual serving sizes.