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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Baking
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American