Banana bread-lovers will adore this super-moist banana bread loaf, that’s full of toasty nuts, and lots of banana flavor! This truly is the “perfect” banana bread.
Banana bread is the bees knees in this household. And pretty much the primo uno choice on my breakfast menu.
You have no idea how excited I get when I see huge bags of overripe bananas in the clearance section at Woodmans for 99¢ a bag. Automatically my first thoughts are: “banana bread, baaaaby!”
Then I buy pretty much every bag. And then I come home and spend all day baking loaf after loaf banana bread for the freezer.
Then I eat banana bread for breakfast pretty much every morning.
Helloooo, diet-killer.
You’re worth it.
I couldn’t even tell you how many requests I get from people for a simple, no-brainer, but absolutely perfect banana bread recipe.
It’s been on my to-do list for awhile to share a simple, classic banana bread…..soo..
Mission accomplished. 😉
Let’s go over the components to a perfect banana bread, shall we?
The epitome of softness? √
Super-moist? √
Lots of banana flavor? √ √
One of my pet peeves about banana bread is a lack of actual banana flavor. A lot of banana bread recipes I came across called for one, or maybe two bananas and to me, that’s just not enough bananas in something called BANANA bread.
I packed 4 large SUPER-ripe bananas in this bread, and trust me, you can definitely tell they’re there.
So, how ’bout a banana bread that actually tastes like bananas? 😀
Several top-notch ingredients contribute a TON of moistness to this bread: Obviously the mashed bananas themselves provide a ton, and we’ve also got softened butter, buttermilk, and just 2 eggs.
All this = Moistest, softest-EVER banana bread.
I like to throw nuts in my batter, but if you dislike nuts in your banana bread for any reason (you’re weird) feel free to leave them out.
I, myself could never imagine a piece of banana bread without tons of nuts. NECESSARY.
You know what my FAV part about this basic banana bread is? It’s a blank canvas for SO many banana bread variations.
Here are my TOP favorite banana bread twists that you can easily throw into this basic recipe:
- Chocolate chip banana bread
- Nutella swirled in the batter
- Berry banana bread (i.e blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, ect)
- Streusel topping
- Cream cheese glaze
- Melted chocolate drizzled over top
Each lovely bite of this banana bread is rich, melt-in-your-mouth soft, and screams BANANAS. The smell of it baking, alone is intoxicating.
The bees knees, you guys. The bees knees. 😀
Perfect Banana Bread
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup coconut sugar or brown sugar
- 1/2 cup butter softened
- 2 large eggs
- 4 large bananas mashed (about 2 cups)
- 1/3 cup buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups white whole wheat flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 3/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F. Lightly grease two 9-in loaf pans. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, whisk sugar and butter until smooth. Beat in eggs, mashed banana, buttermilk, and vanilla until incorporated.
- In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. Add dry mixture to liquid, gently stirring until just combined. Fold in chopped nuts.
- Evenly spread batter into prepared pans and smooth tops. Bake banana bread at 350F 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in middle comes out clean. Cool bread in pans on a wire cooling rack 1 hour before removing from pans.
Notes
Check out my other quick breakfasts next!
Healthy Chocolate Zucchini Muffins
Danielle says
I love seeing overripe bananas too, it can only mean one thing – banana bread! I love the amount of bananas in this recipe, I tend to go with recipes that only use one or two. Definitely need to try this next time I make some, pinning!
Sarah says
More bananas = better banana bread for sure. You’ve gotta try this version, Danielle! Thanks for the pin, girl!
Lindsey @ American Heritage Cooking says
I love me some banana bread! And yours looks fabulous! Pinned!
Sarah says
Thanks for pinning, Lindsey!
Kristi @ Inspiration Kitchen says
You know one of the things I love most about Banana Bread (other than it’s fabulous taste), is the way it makes the house smell while you bake it. It makes everything feel so homey and wonderful ~ it brings back memories of all good things. 🙂 And, then you get to eat something so wonderful and mouth-watering – it never disappoints!
Sarah says
Awww yes! Banana bread is SO nostalgic and always makes any day better, for sure! 😀
Michele @ Two Raspberries says
I love Banana bread, its one of my favorites! this looks totally delicious, it looks moist and dense! yum 😉
Sarah says
Thanks, Michele! If you love banana bread, you definitely need to try this one! 🙂
Kelly // The Pretty Bee: Cooking & Creating says
Looks delicious! Banana bread is a staple over here, too!
Sarah says
Thanks, Kelly!
Kathy @ Olives & Garlic says
Can I turn this recipe into banana bread muffins? Id like to bake a bunch for my daughters school snack.
Sarah says
I would imagine you could turn it into muffins, however the baking time would probably have to be reduced quite a bit. Let me know how they turn out, Kathy!
Isadora says
I literally have like 1,000 frozen bananas in my freezer just waiting to be turned into delicious banana bread!! I love that you used 4 whole bananas in this recipe! I think I could live in this banana bread 🙂
Sarah says
Eeee..I’m SO jealous of your banana stash, Izzy! Thaw ‘them ‘nanners and make this bread! 😉 And right?! I could totally live on banana bread, too.
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
Oh man, banana bread is my weakness, Sarah! Like I literally can’t control myself around it, it’s just that good. And what’s even crazier is that my husband doesn’t like it! He loves bananas but not in bread. But that means more for me and more of this perfect bread! I love how full of flavor it is. Beautiful!
Sarah says
Whaa?! That’s crazyness that your hubby doesn’t like banana bread! But like you said, it’s also good because that means more for YOU. 😀
Ashley says
I love a piece of banana bread in the morning! This looks awesome!
Funnily enough I can’t stand bananas on their own …. but give me a piece of banana bread and I’m allll over it! haha I can be weird 🙂
Sarah says
Haha you’re not weird, Ashley! Either that or I’m weird too, because I don’t really enjoy plain bananas either. LOL. Banana bread aaaaall the way, though. 😀
Kelly - Life Made Sweeter says
Heck yes to banana bread that is jam packed full of banana flavor. I love that you used whole wheat flour in here with the coconut sugar and buttermilk – looks super moist and totally amazing! And totally agreed – the chopped nuts are totally necessary!
Sarah says
It’s almost mind-boggling that so few simple ingredients can produce such awesomeness! And totally yes to the chopped nuts. 🙂
Sarah@RunningOnBrie says
Love this banana bread recipe! I like the idea of using whole wheat flour and coconut sugar- sounds a tad healthier than the usual variety- but super delicious. I like to slather mine with fresh softened butter. Simple…and divine.
Sarah says
Thanks, Sarah! It’s SO much healthier than your average banana bread so that means you can eat more of it! And I like spreading my slices with butter too! 🙂
Medha @ Whisk & Shout says
Banana bread is the best! There’s always a period of time during the fall when I make a loaf on Sunday nights and bring it to school as a snack throughout the week 🙂
Sarah says
Best snack EVER if you ask me! 🙂 Thanks, Medha!
Ashley | Spoonful of Flavor says
Forget diets, this bread looks incredible! I’ll take a slice please. You can never have too much banana bread!
Sarah says
Totally forget about diets—banana bread is MUCH more important, right?! 😀 Thanks, Ashley!
Allison says
I’m pretty sure if you don’t like banana bread, you’re not human! This one looks does look PERFECT! Something I love is also the ingredient list. It’s familiar and simple and all mashed together, makes pretty much the best bread ever 🙂 YUM!
Sarah says
Hahaha! I TOTALLY agree, Allison—anyone who doesn’t love banana bread is insane. 🙂 And right?! It’s amazing to me that such simple ingredients can make such a perfect loaf.
Rachel @ Bakerita says
Wow this really does look like perfect banana bread and I LOVE that it uses coconut sugar! I’m still learning now to use coconut sugar in the best way, so I need to try this bread!!
Sarah says
Thanks Rachel! And isn’t coconut sugar just awesome?! It gives this banana bread the BEST texture. 🙂
Anita says
Hello Sarah!
Your Perfect banana bread looks like you have picked the right name for it. I love when it is all moist and I would use banana and walnuts with the vanilla extract and cinnamon. Yummy!
Sarah says
Thanks, Anita! You’re too sweet. 🙂
Marlene says
I made this last month and am still amazed at how good it is. I too have a banana stash in my freezer. So…tomorrow I am going to be making this wonderful bread again. Now I have an overload of apples. I am going to search your site and see what you have to offer. My freezers are full of applesauce. I got so tired of canning it that I put it in freezer bags and froze it. Thanks for your recipes. It is nice to be able to trust that recipes will turn out as good as they look.
Sarah says
I’m so happy to hear that the banana bread turned out good for you, Marlene! Thanks for the super-sweet comment and good luck with your apple baking! Here’s a few of my personal favs. 😉