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Best Moist Banana Bread Recipe

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4 from 13 reviews

This Best Moist Banana Bread recipe yields a tender, flavorful loaf packed with ripe bananas, a touch of warm spices, and optional toasted nuts for added texture. Perfectly balanced with brown and granulated sugars, sour cream for moisture, and a blend of all-purpose flour and oat flour, it’s a foolproof recipe for a deliciously moist and fluffy banana bread that’s easy to make and sure to satisfy any sweet tooth.

  • Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
  • Yield: 12 servings

Ingredients

Wet Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup butter (1 stick, softened)
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 cup mashed ripe banana (9 ounces, about 2 and 1/2 medium bananas)
  • 1/2 cup sour cream

Dry Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup brown sugar (packed)
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
  • 1/2 cup old fashioned oats (blended into a powder)
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 and 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)
  • 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg (optional)
  • 1/8 teaspoon cloves (optional)

Optional Ingredients

  • 1/2 to 3/4 cup toasted pecans or walnuts

Instructions

  1. Prepare Oven and Pan: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 9x5 inch loaf pan with nonstick spray or line it with parchment paper, which helps in easy removal and slicing.
  2. Toast Nuts (Optional): If using nuts, spread 1/2 to 3/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts on a dry baking sheet. Bake at 350°F for 5-7 minutes, stirring every 2 minutes until fragrant. Allow to cool.
  3. Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl or stand mixer, beat softened butter until smooth. Add brown and granulated sugar and beat for about 2 minutes until fluffy, scraping the bowl sides as needed.
  4. Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in eggs one at a time along with vanilla extract, mixing well and scraping sides of the bowl to fully incorporate.
  5. Incorporate Mashed Bananas: Mash about 2 1/2 very ripe bananas to measure 1 cup. Stir the mashed banana into the butter mixture until evenly combined.
  6. Add Flour (Do Not Stir Yet): Add all-purpose flour to the bowl but hold off on stirring.
  7. Prepare Oat Flour: Blend old fashioned oats in a blender or food processor until powdery but slightly gritty texture is okay. Add this oat flour to the bowl without stirring.
  8. Mix Dry Leaveners and Salt: In a small spoon, stir baking soda, baking powder, and kosher salt into the flour to break up clumps.
  9. Add Optional Spices: If desired, include cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves to the dry mixture. These spices are optional but add warm flavor notes.
  10. Combine Dry with Wet: Stir the dry ingredients into the wet banana mixture until just combined, scraping the bottom and sides of the bowl thoroughly.
  11. Fold in Sour Cream: Gently fold in sour cream to add moisture and richness to the batter.
  12. Incorporate Nuts (Optional): Fold in the toasted nuts now, reserving some for topping if preferred.
  13. Pour Batter into Pan: Transfer the batter to the prepared loaf pan and smooth the surface evenly.
  14. Bake the Bread: Bake at 350°F for 55 to 65 minutes. Test doneness by inserting a toothpick deeply into the center; it should come out clean or with moist crumbs but no wet batter. The top should be browned and pulling from the pan edges.
  15. Cool Before Slicing: Allow the banana bread to cool on a rack for at least 20 minutes before slicing to ensure proper texture and easier cutting.
  16. Storage: Store covered at room temperature up to 2 days. For longer storage, refrigerate or freeze. Freeze whole wrapped in foil and sealed in a ziplock, or freeze sliced portions. Thaw at room temperature and reheat slices in a toaster to refresh texture.

Notes

  • Using parchment paper in the loaf pan makes removing and slicing the bread easier.
  • Toasted nuts add a crunchy texture and deepen the flavor; consider saving some to sprinkle on top before baking for extra visual appeal.
  • Adjust the amount of banana slightly without affecting moisture greatly. More banana results in denser bread.
  • Spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves are optional but enhance flavor complexity.
  • The toothpick test is the best way to ensure proper baking; avoid undercooking for best texture.
  • Banana bread improves in flavor after cooling and even better after a day.
  • Freezing is an excellent way to extend freshness. Toast thawed slices to eliminate extra moisture and bring back texture.
  • Author: Chef
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 55-65 minutes
  • Category: Baking
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian