This is the best banana bread I have ever made. Ever. Period.

I don’t know if it’s the mixture of the beer in addition to the banana or what, but it’s addicting. It’s thick yet moist, crunchy yet soft, sweet yet savory, aromatic and delicious. The little bit of cinnamon I added to the dry mix really helps push the beer flavor forward. I used 21st Amendment’s Fireside Chat which is a winter spiced ale with hints of winter aromatic spices like cocoa, caramel and nutmeg. I usually eat small pieces of whatever I make so I can describe the flavor but I ended-up eating a whole slice. It’s that good.

Ingredients:

1 3/4 cup AP flour

3/4 cup granulated sugar

1 1/4 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 cup chopped walnuts

3/4 teaspoon salt

2 large eggs

2 medium ripe bananas, mashed

1/3 cup melted unsalted butter

1/4 cup beer

1 teaspoon of cinnamon

Frosting Ingredients:

2 cups powdered sugar

1 tablespoon of corn syrup

1/4 cup beer

Directions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Make sure your rack is in the middle of the oven. Grease a bread pan with unsalted butter and make sure it’s fully covered so the bread doesn’t stick. You can also use baking spray.

2. Whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, sugar and cinnamon. In a separate bowl whisk the eggs until frothy. Add the banana and melted butter and beer. Mix so there are no big chunks of banana and then start adding the dry mix. Mix until incorporated and do not over-mix.

3. Fold in the walnuts with a spatula and then scrape into your prepared bread pan. Bake for 50-55 minutes. Be sure to rotate your bread about halfway through so it bakes evenly. Check the bread by using a toothpick and seeing if any liquid comes out when you poke the middle of the bread. Do it a few times because you might hit the banana. Allow to cool on a wire rack for at least 30 minutes. After the bread is cooled it should slide right out the pan. Allow to cool completely before frosting.

4. Whisk together the powdered sugar, corn syrup and beer. If the mixture looks too loose then add more powdered sugar. If it’s too thick, add a little more beer. If you drank it all then water will work. Pour the frosting over the bread and allow it to drip down. I put the bread on a wire rack sitting on a cookie sheet so frosting doesn’t drip everywhere. Cut and enjoy!

Yield: 8 slices

Lasts: 3-4 days

I will be making this again. It was pretty easy and the results were spectacular. Let me know what you think if you make this recipe!