Infused with Da Lat Spice, this banana bread brings a sophisticated twist to a beloved classic. The spice blend’s notes of coffee, cocoa, ginger, and black pepper enhance the sweet banana and nutty richness, creating a tea loaf that's both cozy and complex. Perfect for breakfast or an afternoon treat, this recipe — adapted from Flour Bakery’s famed banana bread — is even better after a day’s rest. Try it topped with honey-orange blossom cream cheese for an extra layer of indulgence.
Makes one 9”x 4” loaf. Adapted from Joanne Chang’s recipe for Flour Bakery’s banana bread.
Our Da Lat Spice is inspired by the romantic Vietnamese city of the same name. The blend was created as a rub for roasted or grilled meats and vegetables, but we’ve found that it can be equally enchanting in sweet settings. This banana bread is like a favorite, older cousin who has come home from a year away at college — familiar and friendly, but just a little more sophisticated. Da Lat Spice adds the warm richness of coffee and chocolate, plus the unexpected spark of ginger and black pepper, to this cozy tea bread. It’s even tastier after an overnight rest to allow the flavors meld perfectly.
Preheat the oven to 350° F. Lightly grease a metal loaf pan, line its bottom with baking parchment, and set aside. Whisk the flour, baking soda, and salt to combine and fluff. Set aside.
In a clean mixing bowl, beat the eggs and sugar together until the mixture is thick, satiny-smooth, and a light buttery color, about 7 minutes with an electric mixer. Add the Da Lat Spice and, with the beaters running, slowly drizzle in the oil, incorporating it completely.
Gently fold in the mashed banana, yogurt, and vanilla followed by the flour-mixture and the nuts using quick, strong strokes. Don’t over-mix the batter — you don’t want to deflate it.
Transfer the batter to the prepared loaf pan. Bake for 45 minutes to an hour, until a cake tester comes out clean when stuck into the top-center of the loaf. Let the bread cool in the pan for 15–20 minutes, then turn it out onto a cooling rack.
For the topping (optional):
Add the honey, orange flower water, and the zest to an 8-ounce tub of whipped cream cheese. Whisk or stir to blend well.
Recipe Note
Note: We like the slightly caramel-y flavor of organic cane sugar in this recipe, but any granulated sugar will work just fine.
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2 comments
Susan Turner: July 22, 2022
Hi, Terri.
Susan from the Curio kitchen, here.Thanks SO much for your kind words. We love this recipe and Da Lat Spice, too,!
If you haven’t already tried it in brownies, you must! Just add a couple tablespoons to your favorite dark-chocolate brownie recipe and be prepared to be blown away.
It’s equally magical in savory settings — check out our recipes for Delicata Squash and Tofu Bahn Mi. And, it’s wonderful, as you say, used as a rub for steak.
So glad you’re happy! Keep cooking and stay curious in the kitchen. We’ll keep blending the spices!
Terri Smith: July 22, 2022
This is just a spectacular recipe! I followed it to the letter including the organic cane sugar. Such a flavorful spice blend that works perfectly as a rub on meats and in this loaf as well!
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Hi, Terri.
Susan from the Curio kitchen, here.Thanks SO much for your kind words. We love this recipe and Da Lat Spice, too,!
If you haven’t already tried it in brownies, you must! Just add a couple tablespoons to your favorite dark-chocolate brownie recipe and be prepared to be blown away.
It’s equally magical in savory settings — check out our recipes for Delicata Squash and Tofu Bahn Mi. And, it’s wonderful, as you say, used as a rub for steak.
So glad you’re happy! Keep cooking and stay curious in the kitchen. We’ll keep blending the spices!
This is just a spectacular recipe! I followed it to the letter including the organic cane sugar. Such a flavorful spice blend that works perfectly as a rub on meats and in this loaf as well!