Clair-Mel Island Banana Walnut Bread: “Baked with Rhythm, Spiced with Soul”
- Dawn Mitchell
- Jun 4
- 1 min read
If banana bread had a passport, this loaf would be stamped in Clair-Mel.
Infused with island spices and Tampa Bay soul, this banana walnut bread is more than just a sweet treat—it’s a warm hug from the Caribbean diaspora. Inspired by the comfort foods of Jamaican and Trinidadian kitchens, it’s the kind of loaf that turns ripened bananas into gold and transforms your kitchen into a little slice of home. With crunchy walnuts, cozy spices, and slices of banana baked right on top, this recipe brings rhythm to your routine—one slice at a time.
Ingredients:
3 very ripe bananas (plus 1 extra for topping)
½ cup unsalted butter, melted
½ cup brown sugar
¼ cup white sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
½ tsp salt
1 tsp ground cinnamon
¼ tsp ground allspice
¼ tsp ground nutmeg
¾ cup chopped walnuts (plus a few for topping)
Instructions:
Preheat & Prep: Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a loaf pan or line with parchment. Slice 1 banana lengthwise for topping.
Mash & Mix: In a bowl, mash the 3 ripe bananas. Stir in melted butter, sugars, eggs, and vanilla until smooth.
Spice & Fold: In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, allspice, and nutmeg. Gently fold dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Add chopped walnuts.
Pour & Top: Pour batter into the prepared loaf pan. Lay the banana slices on top and sprinkle with extra walnuts.
Bake: Bake for 50–60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool slightly before slicing.
