There is a saying that bacon makes everything better. I say, so does booze! You can thank Nigella Lawson as the inspiration behind this bread. It is based on her banana bread recipe that appears in ‘How to be a Domestic Goddess’.
That particular banana bread recipe is one that is made regularly in my kitchen. It is also a fantastic base, which you can tweak and add as you wish. No matter what I seem to do to the original recipe the bread still works out.

As I added more booze, dark spiced rum, and fruit than her original recipe. Plus I omitted the walnuts, there was a tweak in flour quantity. In all, the bread turned out perfectly, although a little lighter in density than the original recipe.
Best enjoyed thickly sliced and slathered in good quality butter.
Do you have a favourite banana bread recipe? Would love you to share it below if you do.
Sara xxx
Printable Recipe

Boozy Banana Bread
Ingredients
- 150 grams dates, de-seeded & chopped
- 100 ml spiced dark rum
- 200 grams plain flour
- 2 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 125 grams butter
- 150 grams caster sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 300 grams mashed ripe banana (approx. 4 small bananas)
Instructions
- Preheat oven 180 deg C (360 deg F). Line and grease an 11cm x 22cm bread tin.
- In a small saucepan place dates and rum. Bring to a slow simmer and continue to cook until most of the dates have absorbed most of the rum. It will resemble a boozy date jam. Set aside to cool.
- In a large bowl place butter and microwave until melted. Remove from microwave and add sugar beat until blended. Beat in eggs one at a time and then add mashed bananas and date mixture. Sift in flour baking powder, bicarb and salt. Mix until combined.
- Pour mix into your bread tin and bake for around 60 minutes until cooked through. Cool on a wire rack. Serve thickly cut slathered with butter.
Oven Temperatures
All oven temperatures are fan forced.
Measurement Notes
All measurements are Australian metric standard. All measures are level, and cups are lightly packed unless specified. 1 teaspoon = 5ml / 1 tablespoon = 20mls / 1 cup = 250ml /4 teaspoons = 1 tablespoon.
NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION
The recipe's nutritional information is an approximation based on an online calculator. It is meant solely for reference purposes. If you're looking for precise details, be sure to double-check with your own research.
Helen | Grab Your Fork
So that's what's been missing from my banana bread all this time!
Peter G | Souvlaki For The Soul
Add me to the "convincing list"! Love the banana bread with dark rum!
Choc Chip Uru
Mmm this banana bread makes me smile 😀
Could use it at a uni party!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Sara
If making for a uni party, I suggest ADD MORE BOOZE!!!
Gourmet Getaways
Boozy and "datey" banana bread works for me! it gives the usual taste a twist. Great recipe, Sara!
Gourmet Getaways
Sara
Thanks so much, the 'datey' gave it a caramel effect. Worked well with the rum.
Amanda@ChewTown
Well, you definitely don't have to convince me to put alcohol in desserts!! Love it.
Sara
Don't I know it, you have some amazing ones on Chew Town.
Renata
mmm... I love that!
Sara
Thanks Renata
chocolatesuze
hoho im with you, booze makes me happy 😛
Sara
hehehe, makes me happy too Suze
john | heneedsfood
Booze makes everything better, for sure. I'm a firm believer!
Sara
Nice to know I am preaching to the converted.