Classic Banana Bread Recipe

Banana Bread is one of those recipes that brings generations together. My mom taught me to make it when I was little, and now my kids make it from scratch on their own. It’s simple, warm, and full of the kind of flavor that makes a kitchen feel like home. Whether you serve it warm with butter or tuck a slice into a lunchbox, it’s the kind of recipe that stays with you.

This Classic Banana Bread Recipe is moist, delicious and a family favorite. A perfect use for overly ripe bananas and easy to make quick bread. Add chocolate chips for the best Chocolate Chip Banana Bread. Enjoy for breakfast, as a sweet surprise in lunches or after school snack.

Homemade banana bread is a treat to enjoy and a comfort food for busy families on the go. Plus uses up those overly ripe bananas sitting on your counter.

Banana bread freezes well as a loaf or sliced. It's always a treat to grab a slice from the freezer as a quick after school snack.

BANANA BREAD RECIPE

Servings: 12
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 120 minutes
Yield: 1 loaf

INGREDIENTS:

• ½ cup butter softened
• 2/3 cup sugar
• 2 eggs, beat well
• 1 ½ cups banana
• ¼ cup buttermilk
• 2 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• Optional: ½ cups walnuts, chopped, ½ cup chocolate chips, ½ cup dried cranberries

BAKE: 350 degrees; 50-55 minutes; greased, floured loaf pan

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Cream butter and sugar together in a large mixing bowl.
3. Mash bananas with a fork.
4. Add eggs, mashed bananas and buttermilk to creamed mixture.
5. Measure dry ingredients in a small bowl. Mix.
6. Gradually add dry ingredients. Mix until blended.
7. Stir in optional: nuts, chocolate chips and/or dried cranberries.
8. Spread batter in a greased and floured (or line with parchment paper) loaf pan or 3 demi loaf pans.
9. Bake at 350 degrees for 50-55 minutes until golden brown and tests done (190 degrees internal temperature).
10. Cool on rack for 10 minutes before removing from pan.
11. Slice, Serve and Enjoy

RECIPE NOTES:

I almost always double the recipe for 2 loaves of banana bread.

My kids love muffins. Line muffin tins with seasonal liners and Bake at 350 degrees for 20-22 minutes. You can also add different options to each muffin (nuts, chocolate chips, dried cranberries) making all kids and family happy.

High Altitude:

Banana Bread Loaf: Bake at 325 for 55-60 minutes

Banana Bread Muffins: Bake at 325 for 25-30 minutes

BAKING TIPS:

This recipe uses buttermilk. It's easy to make your own with what you have on hand if buttermilk is not a staple. 

Buttermilk is the only ingredient in this recipe that I do not always have on hand. No buttermilk? No worries! Measure out milk, add vinegar to the milk to create a chemical reaction to mimic the buttermilk in the recipe. This method works in buttermilk pancakes too! Homemade Buttermilk Recipe Here

Testing for Doneness

Quick bread can be tricky to test for doneness. Traditional bakers watch for golden brown crust and "test for doneness" using a fork, toothpick or touch method. This never works for me consistently, especially at high altitude.

Instead, I use a Thermapen instant read thermometer (for baking and grilling). Test for doneness at 190 degrees for super moist bread. You can go up to 200-205 degrees being careful not to dry bread out. ThermoPop thermometers are also a great choice.

Banana Bread Recipe Printable:

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