November 9, 2020 | Last Updated on July 12, 2024 by Patricia Valbrun
The Best EVER Banana Bread – easy to make, moist, perfect banana bread that is crisp on the outside and comes out perfect every time. NO mixer required!
The brown butter icing adds a nutty, caramelized flavor that perfectly complements the sweet, moist banana bread, making each bite an indulgent treat. Its soft, moist texture and sweet banana flavor make it a beloved choice for breakfast, a snack, or even dessert.
Ingredients for Banana Bread
The beauty of banana bread lies in its simplicity. The essential ingredients include ripe bananas, flour, sugar, sour cream, eggs, butter, baking soda, and a pinch of salt.
- Ripe Bananas (mashed). The star ingredient, offering natural sweetness, moisture, and a distinctive banana flavor.
- Granulated Sugar. Adds sweetness and helps create a tender crumb.
- Sour Cream. Contributes moisture and a slight tang, resulting in a rich, tender bread.
- Butter (softened). Provides fat for a soft, moist texture and adds a rich flavor.
- Eggs. Bind the ingredients together and provide structure and moisture.
- Vanilla Extract. Enhances the overall flavor and adds a warm, aromatic touch.
- All-Purpose Flour. Forms the base of the bread, providing structure and bulk.
- Baking Soda. Acts as a leavening agent, helping the bread rise and become fluffy.
- Salt. Balances the sweetness and enhances the flavors of all the other ingredients.
How to Make The Best Banana Bread
I've probably made this banana bread recipe a thousand times ! Its a staple recipe that everyone should have in their collection. Learn how to easily put together this banana bread with a few steps.
- In a large bowl, mix together the all-purpose flour, salt, and baking soda.
- In a medium bowl, combine the melted butter and granulated sugar.
- Mash your bananas with a fork, then add them to the butter and sugar mixture. Also, add the vanilla extract and sour cream, and mix. Be sure not to over-mix, or it’ll be dense and chewy instead of soft and moist.
- Combine the wet and dry ingredients, mixing just until the batter is moist and lumpy.
- Pour the batter into a greased pan.
- Bake at 375°F for 50 minutes.
You can also bake the batter in muffin tins for individual servings, perfect for brunches or parties. Adding a glaze made of powdered sugar and milk can give your banana bread a bakery-worthy finish.
Brown Butter Icing
I promise you this banana bread its good on it own but even better with this brown butter icing. Its one of those things you add to your bread and its makes it impossible to stop eating .
- Brown the Butter: In a small pot, brown the butter carefully. Make sure not to burn it, as this can happen easily.
- Add Ingredients: Slowly add in the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract.
- Achieving the Right Consistency: The icing should be smooth once done. If it thickens and dries quickly, you can add more milk to reach the desired consistency.
- Finish: Pour the icing right on top of your banana bread, and you're all done!
Best Tips for Making Banana Bread
1. Use Ripe Bananas: Make sure your bananas are as ripe as possible – ideally, they should be very dark or at least yellow with brown streaks on the peel. The riper they are, the more flavor and sweetness they will add to your bread.
2. Banana Preparation: If you’re not a fan of small banana chunks in your bread, blend the bananas instead of just mashing them. For banana-lovers, a good, old-fashioned mashing with a fork works perfectly.
3. Properly Coat the Pan: When you coat the pan with nonstick spray, make sure you cover every inch. This ensures your loaf comes out easily when it’s done.
4. Sour Cream Substitute: If you don’t have sour cream, you can substitute it with plain Greek yogurt. This will still provide the necessary moisture and tanginess.
5. Avoid Over-mixing: Achieving the perfect banana bread requires avoiding overmixing the batter, as this can lead to a dense, tough loaf.
6. Fresh Baking Soda: Ensure your baking soda is fresh for the best rise and optimal texture.
7. Toothpick Test: Bake the bread until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, indicating it's fully cooked.
Storing and Freezing Banana Bread
Proper storage is key to maintaining the freshness of your banana bread. Store it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days.
For longer storage, wrap the loaf tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then freeze for up to three months. Thaw it at room temperature when you're ready to enjoy a slice.
The Benefits of Banana Bread
Not only is banana bread delicious, but it also offers several health benefits. Bananas are rich in potassium, which supports heart health and helps regulate blood pressure.
The fiber content in bananas aids digestion, while the antioxidants help combat free radicals. When made with whole wheat flour and natural sweeteners, banana bread can be a nutritious addition to your diet.
Why We Love This Recipe
- Quick This recipe so quick and easy to prepare, you’ll have it ready in no time.
- Easy Ingredients The ingredients needed are always things you have on hand. No grocery store run needed!
- No-Fail This recipe turns out perfectly every time, I mean every time.
- Extra Moist The banana bread in this recipe is deliciously moist and crisp on the edges.
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Best Ever Banana Bread
Ingredients
- 1-½ cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup sour cream
- ½ cup butter softened
- 2 eggs large
- 3-4 ripe bananas mashes
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ¾ teaspoon salt
Brown Butter Glaze:
- 6 tablespoons butter
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine all-purpose flour, salt, and baking soda.
- In a medium bowl, mix melted butter with granulated sugar.
- Mash bananas with a fork and add to the butter-sugar mixture along with vanilla extract and sour cream. Mix gently to avoid over-mixing, which can lead to a dense texture.
- Combine the wet and dry ingredients until just moistened.
- Pour the batter into a greased pan.
- Bake at 375°F for 50 minutes. If the bread starts to darken, cover loosely with aluminum foil for the last 15 minutes of baking.
For the Brown Butter Icing:
- In a small pot, brown the butter over low heat for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Gradually add powdered sugar and milk while stirring continuously.
- Mix in vanilla extract until smooth.
- Your icing is ready to pour over the baked banana bread.
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How did you like this recipe? Leave a comment and let me know what you think. Looking for another dessert recipe? Try this Pumpkin Bread with Cream Cheese Filling recipe next!
mariella mikienis says
This is really the best banana bread I have ever made..
letseatcuisine says
Thank you so much . I’m happy you liked it 🙂