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    Home » Recipes » Mother's Day

    (The Best Ever) Banana Bread

    June 25, 2018 by Amee 2 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    I know, I know. You search "banana bread" on Pinterest and they aaaaall say that they're the BEST right in the description. Well, here's mine. I have revamped and tweaked this recipe about 50 times over the years, and I'm finally content with the recipe. For you: (The Best Ever) Banana Bread.

    Banana Bread

    This post may contain affiliate links, and as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. I’ll never link to anything I don’t use and love! Click here for full disclosure and privacy policy.

    This (The Best Ever) Banana Bread is everything banana bread should be: great banana flavor without being heavy or slimy, and light in texture without being dry. I also add a sprinkle of raw sugar to the top of mine just before baking for a sweet crunch. (I save that part for last...my kids eat it first.)

    If you enjoy this recipe, check out my Butterscotch Banana Muffins, Blackberry Lemon Bread, and Date Spice Bread!

    Banana Bread

    We eat quite a bit of banana bread at my house. It seems like the kids only do their part to eat the bananas (that they asked for) about ⅔ of the time. So, ⅓ of the time, the overripe, questionable-looking bananas need to meet another fate. Every so often I'll make Butterscotch Banana Muffins, but more often than not, I whip up this recipe. It's pretty quick and easy, and my kids are happy to have it for breakfast.

    Banana Bread

    The recipe does call for buttermilk, but if you don't have any on-hand, there are instructions for a quick substitution using vinegar or lemon juice and milk in the recipe notes.

    You can easily half this recipe if you'd rather make only one loaf (or perhaps only have two questionable-looking bananas instead of four). I always make two and stick one in the freezer for another day.

    Banana Bread

    You can also choose to make muffins instead of loaves. I like to use cookie scoops to keep my hands clean and ensure that the muffins are all the same size. For ¾ full, I use one scoop from my large cookie scoop and one scoop from my medium cookie scoop. Sometimes I bake them up in these adorable tulip papers, which always impress my kiddos!

    Banana Bread

    Give this recipe a shot the next time you notice a few bananas on your counter that are past their prime. Hopefully you'll think this banana bread is the Best Ever, too. 🙂

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    Banana Bread

    (The Best Ever) Banana Bread

    Amee
    This (The Best Ever) Banana Bread is everything banana bread should be: great banana flavor without being heavy or slimy, and light in texture without being dry. I also add a sprinkle of raw sugar to the top of mine just before baking for a sweet crunch. (I save that part for last...my kids eat it first.)
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Course Breakfast
    Cuisine Bread
    Servings 16 slices (2 loaves)
    Calories 374 kcal
    Prevent your screen from going dark while you bake!

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 4 cups flour
    • 1 teaspoon baking soda
    • 2 teaspoon baking powder
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • 2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • 1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature (2 sticks)
    • 2 cups sugar
    • 2 eggs
    • 11/4 cups buttermilk (see note)
    • 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 4 overripe bananas, mashed
    • raw sugar, for sprinkling (optional)

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat oven to 350F. Grease two 9"x5" loaf pans. Set aside.
    • In a large bowl, combine dry ingredients (flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon). Set aside.
    • In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the butter and sugar. Beat until light and fluffy. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.
    • Add eggs one at a time, allowing the first egg to fully incorporate before adding the second. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.
    • Add buttermilk, vanilla, and mashed bananas to mixer bowl and mix to combine.
    • With the mixer running on low speed, gradually add the dry ingredients. Mix just until combined.
    • Divide batter between two prepared loaf pans and smooth the top of the batter in each. Sprinkle raw sugar over the top of each, if desired. Bake 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. (Check recipe notes for baking instructions for muffins!)
    • Cool in the pan 15 minutes, then remove to a wire rack to cool completely.
      Enjoy!

    Notes

    Note on buttermilk: If you don't have it on-hand, you can do a quick substitution with vinegar or lemon juice and milk (2% milkfat or higher). Just put one tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice in a liquid measuring cup, then pour in the milk to 1 ¼ cups. Stir, let sit 5 minutes, and then it's ready for use.
    Note on making muffins: Fill each well about ¾ full. I like to use cookie scoops to keep my hands clean and ensure that the muffins are all the same size. For ¾ full, I use one scoop from my large cookie scoop and one scoop from my medium cookie scoop. They'll bake up in 17-20 minutes. Makes about 32 muffins.
    Sometimes I bake them up in these tulip papers, which always impresses my kiddos. 🙂

    Nutrition Estimate

    Serving: 1 sliceCalories: 374kcalCarbohydrates: 58gProtein: 6gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0.5gCholesterol: 56mgSodium: 248mgPotassium: 208mgFiber: 2gSugar: 31gVitamin A: 472IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 92mgIron: 2mg

    Nutrition information is provided as a courtesy and is only an estimate.

    Tried this recipe?I'd love to hear all about it! Leave a review below, then snap a pic and tag me on Instagram!
    Text "Click to shop my Amazon storefront" with images of baking tools and ingredients.

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    1. Tzipi

      February 07, 2020 at 6:16 pm

      Hi - I’m planing on making half the recipe and making banana bread cupcakes. How long shell I bake them and at what temperature? Thank you

      Reply
      • Amee

        February 07, 2020 at 6:22 pm

        Hello! Fill each muffin cup about 3/4 full, and they'll bake up in 17-19 minutes at 350 degrees. Thanks for your question! 🙂

        Reply

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