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Best Banana Nut Bread Recipe

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4.2 from 8 reviews

This Best Banana Nut Bread Recipe is a moist, flavorful quick bread packed with ripe bananas and crunchy walnuts. Enhanced with cinnamon and a sweet maple-walnut topping, it makes a perfect breakfast treat or afternoon snack. Easy to prepare and baked to golden perfection, this bread is a delicious way to use overripe bananas.

  • Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
  • Yield: 16 servings

Ingredients

Dry Ingredients

  • 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Wet Ingredients

  • ½ cup unsalted butter, room temperature
  • ¾ cup brown sugar
  • 2 large eggs, at room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ¼ cup plain yogurt
  • 3 medium bananas, mashed (about 1 ½ cups)

Nuts and Topping

  • 1 cup coarsely chopped walnuts
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (for topping)
  • 2 tablespoons maple syrup or honey
  • ½ cup walnuts, chopped (for topping)

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan and line it with parchment paper, leaving an overhang to easily lift the finished bread out.
  2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, and ground cinnamon. Set aside to use later in the recipe.
  3. Cream Butter and Sugar: Using a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the unsalted butter and brown sugar together on medium speed for about 4 minutes until light and fluffy.
  4. Add Eggs and Wet Ingredients: Add the eggs one at a time to the butter-sugar mixture, mixing each for about 20 seconds until incorporated. Then add vanilla extract, plain yogurt, and mashed bananas. Mix until fully combined.
  5. Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Fold gently until just combined and no flour pockets remain. Fold in the chopped walnuts evenly throughout the batter.
  6. Prepare and Add Topping: In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter. Stir in maple syrup or honey and whisk to combine. Add the ½ cup chopped walnuts and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly until the mixture thickens slightly. Spread this topping evenly over the banana bread batter in the loaf pan.
  7. Bake the Bread: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 55-65 minutes. After the first 30 minutes, cover the pan loosely with aluminum foil to prevent over-browning. The bread is done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  8. Cool and Serve: Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan on a cooling rack for 5-10 minutes. Using the parchment paper overhang, lift the bread out of the pan and place it directly on the rack to cool completely before slicing and serving.

Notes

  • Ensure bananas are very ripe for maximum sweetness and moisture.
  • You can substitute honey for maple syrup in the topping.
  • Do not overmix the batter once the flour is added to keep the bread tender.
  • Wrapping the pan with foil after 30 minutes prevents the top from burning while the center finishes baking.
  • Store leftover bread wrapped tightly at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
  • For a nut-free version, omit the walnuts and substitute with chocolate chips or dried fruit.
  • Author: Chef
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 55 minutes
  • Category: Baking
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American