My Favorite Banana Bread Recipe
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Banana bread is a standby favorite that most bakers have in their baking repertoire. After finding this recipe, I stopped trying all others for a basic banana bread.
Not only is my lovely friend Stephanie beautiful, intelligent, and super talented designer, she also bakes the best banana bread I have ever had. She shared her recipe with me a years before I finally tried it myself and the banana bread recipe is so easy and simple to follow, I think mine turned out as well as hers.
I have a bit of an aversion to baking with shortening so I was pleased to find this banana bread recipe uses good old-fashioned butter. I know some bakers say that the trans fats in shortening are the key to great baked goods but something about that white stuff creeps me out a little. This is also the first recipe that I have followed where the butter is melted and then added at the end instead of whipped in at the beginning. Maybe that’s the secret to what makes it so good?
Since I have made this many times, I have included my tips and tricks below. I have to say, it is about as perfect as banana bread gets. Washed down with a glass of milk, it started my year outright. I suggest you buy extra bananas, let them start rotting, and get baking!
See the notes below the recipe for tips to bake the perfect banana bread. Click here for other general baking tips.
Other Related Recipes:
Whole Wheat Banana Bread
Banana Macadamia Nut Muffins
Maple Pecan Banana Bread
Overnight Oatmeal Muffins
Heavenly Banana Cake with Super Special Cream Cheese Frosting
My Favorite Banana Bread Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 2 loaves 1x
- Category: Bread
- Cuisine: American
Description
Moist, flavorful banana bread is perfect every time. A top recipe, this banana bread is the best of the best.
Ingredients
1 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup white sugar
2 eggs, lightly beaten
3 large, ripe bananas, mashed
1/4 cup butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Grease and flour loaf pans. The original recipe called for two 7 x 3-inch loaf pans but you can use four mini loaf pans.
- In a bowl, whisk together flour, soda, salt, and sugar.
- Mix in the slightly beaten eggs and mashed bananas.
- Slowly stir in the melted butter just until incorporated.
- Pour into prepared pans. Bake at 350 for 45-50 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean from the center. If you use the mini loaf pans, adjust to about 30 minutes. Just take a peek and if the top is starting to brown and looks cooked, try the toothpick to test for doneness.
- Let cool in pans for 5 minutes then turn out onto a rack to cool completely.
- Store wrapped tightly at room temperature for 4 days. Or, freeze loaves wrapped in plastic wrap and then foil.
Notes
What is a ripe banana? I like mine almost all brown with some specs of yellow.
Mash bananas well with a potato masher or fork but leave some small chunks. Don’t go all the way to baby food consistency.
Do NOT over mix this batter. I would not use an electric mixer – just a few circles of the wrist while incorporating the ingredients.
Do NOT over bake. The moist, banana-y center should be soft and crumbly.
Let the bread cool completely before storing it. The edges and outside will get sticky and icky if you wrap it or put it in a Ziploc too soon.
You can wrap this banana bread in foil, then put it in a freezer bag and you can freeze it for up to three months.
I’m with you! I just don’t love digging in to a can of solid, white shortening. I love banana bread too and I’ve been going through a bunch of different butter-based recipes. This one http://spicedish.typepad.com/spice_dish/2007/12/sugar-sugar-cho.html
turned out fantastic I must say.
I think to say that your friend is talented is an understatement! I literally want one of every bag! Gorgeous stuff.
Erin
You know, I don’t know if I have ever had non-shortening banana bread. I guess I am a hypocrite, but I am ok with shortening…as long as I don’t have to see it going in. ;-)
And now this IS a coincidence, because when my company showed at the NY Gift show last February, we were just a few booths away from Agnes and Hoss. They have some really lovely stuff!
Good to find your site as well! Few things are nicer than fresh baked goods during a Chicago winter. Though today feels like spring!
I wonder if anyone tried this recipe? (banana nut cinnamon swirl bread)
http://therecipe-finder.com/banana-nut-cinnamon-swirl-bread/4264/
sure wanna try this one
I just made your banana bread, I posted a link to your site for the recipe, I hope that is ok, I just finished my second slice, oh my it is yummy. Do you have a recipe for zucchini bread that doesnt require a cup of oil? Way to many calories. Thanks again for the recipe.
WOW! i made this last night and it is GREAT!! i used 4 bananas and added a bit of cinnamon. I have been looking for a good recipe forever…THANK YOU!!!
YUM!
BANANA!!! BANANA!!! BANANA breeeeaddd!!! yea!
While searching for a good recipe came here, read the wonderful comments, but on the left hand side of the screen is an advertisement “food blog search” that obscures the number of eggs that go in the recipe. Help
I was concerned about the number of eggs to use also, because of the “food blog search” box that obscures how many to use, but if you print the recipe it’s not covered up and you need to use 3. I’m anxious to try the recipe and am tempted to add some crushed walnuts in it as well.
I meant to say 2 eggs not 3 in my previous reply. Sorry!
Could chocolate chips be added to this recipe or would it change the texture too much?
Yes, chocolate chips would be delicious! We add them sometimes.
Awesome recipe!! Even better than moms. I added a cup of nuts and an extra 1/2 banana. :)
I’ve made this twice now! I forgot to put the butter in (stupid stupid me) the first time and the bread was still very moist and delicious! I put the butter in this past time and the only difference is in the crust/outer shell. Without the butter, it’s spongy (for example, if you wrap it up in a paper towel, the outer part stays on the paper towel) and with the butter, it’s much more solid.
This is one of the most simple banana bread recipies I’ve ever made. I’m a college student, so the fewer the ingredients the better. My roommates loved it! We all got to bond while we made it. Thanks again!
I have a banana bread recipe that I like but I am always looking for something better. I have tried dozens of banana bread recipes and ultimately end up back where I started. When I saw this version I was intrigued because I love finding short and simple recipes. It amazes me how so few ingredients can produce a moist bread full of flavor. The family gobbled up every last crumb. From the look in their faces I believe we have a new banana bread recipe. Thank you for sharing your wonderful bread with us.
I made this recipe this morning and it came out beautifully!
The recipe made 4 silicone mini loaves.
Some friends came over and within an hour, half of my bread was gone!
Thanks again for the recipe! It’s amazing.
I’m on the 2nd time of making this- both times I’ve used Whole Wheat White flour, and pecans, and it came out great!
tttthhiiiis rreccccccccippppiiiiieeeeeeee wwwwwuuuuuuuuuuuuuusssssssssss ssssssssooooooo ggggooooooooooodd iii wwwwwwwuuuusss shocked
wow i tryied this recipie a nd time and it wuz even better!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i luv it!!!!!!!!!!!
I am not sure what I did wrong. I added 3 ripe medium sized bananas. the batter was very watered down and it was only enough for one medium silicone pan. It’s in the oven now-we’ll see but I am not feeling super confident.
OMG what a mess. The watered down batter spilled into a burnt gooey mess all over my oven what a disaster. I am certainly no professional baker or even very good in the kitchen but this seemed like such an easy recipe. Please help!
Hello, I wonder if you filled the pan(s) too high? My batter is usually only a little more than half way up the side of the pan before baking.
Great recipe, looks just like the picture and tastes moist and delicious. My kids started slicing it before it was cooled. The recipe couldn’t have been more simple and I followed the tips about the banana and everyone like the chunks of banana!
I tried this for the 1st time the the day. SO moist, it was fantastic. Thank you for posting it, it is without doubt my preferred banana bread recipe from now on.
Update on banana bread. I am officially the worst baker in the world and the biggest idiot. So I was going through our containers on the counter top with my fiance. He’s eating flour right out of the container-what are you doing? I ask him like he’s crazy. I love this sugar he says, like he just got caught with his hand in the cookie jar. It wasnt flour it was confectioners sugar. I added SUGAR instead of FLOUR no wonder it SUCH a mess!!! How could I NOT know it wasnt sugar. I am trying this recipe as soon as I can get a hold on some ripe bananas. GOD I am such a moron!
I tried this recipe. Very nice. Thank you.
caroline! i had no idea you had a blog about food! (i love the name, btw!) i was looking for a recipe for banana bread online, and couldn’t find a good one on the food network website, so i googled it, and yours popped up! i looked at the little red-headed girl in the picture, and was like, “hmm… i know a red-headed caroline in chicago….” and it was you!
thanks for sharing this recipe! i was actually looking for a banana zucchini bread recipe since i had one banana and one zucchini that i was trying to use before they went bad. give my kudos to stephanie also – she’s the greatest!!!!! :)
This is an excellent recipe! I’ve made it about 4 times already. YUM. Thanks for sharing :-)
So good that I did two batches in one night. Because of my low sugar diet I did reduce the sugar to 3/4 cup and used brown instead.
Decided that this rainy day was a perfect opportunity to make your banana bread recipe. I had 12 overripe bananas, thanks to costco, so I am currently on batch number 3. Go Big, or Go Home. I am boiling condensed milk, turning it into dulce de leche, and I am going to smother that banana bread for my dinner guests tomorrow.
ohhh myyyy…me and my boyfriend made this in our dorm room at college and it was amaaaazzzzingggggg…the smell was insane. and the taste was even better. mash the bananas with your fists, works like a charm!
thanks for the great and easy recipe!!! …i added chocolate chips and put it in the oven, then realized i had forgotten the butter! so i took it out of the oven to add the butter but even after only a couple of minutes the chocolate chips had already melted so it inadvertently became chocalate banana bread!! …really good chocolate banana bread :) thanks!!
So good that I did two batches in one night. Because of my low sugar diet I did reduce the sugar to 3/4 cup and used brown instead.
Just made this recipe, and it is delicious! Thanks! Since my pans are 8.5″ x 4″, I increased the recipe by 1/2 and it worked out great.
Made the banana bread yesterday, It’s a big hit in this house!!!
Thanks so much for a great recipe.
oh i love to eat bananas raw. i also love foods and recipes with banana in it. they taste very very good
Best Banana Bread Recipe :: Whipped very good article. thank you very much
This banana bread recipe was delicious. I added toasted pecan pieces like my grandmother used to for the nutty flavor and crunch. I had to hide the second loaf from my “best food critic” after he polished off the first loaf in less than an hour. Thanks for sharing this one.
I will give this a try! I would like to use this as a toddler snack for the kid who won’t eat anything but bread right now. So, I plan to do it as mini muffins . . . also wondered if any baking experts could tell me whether there is a good way to boost protein like adding some cottage cheese? How would I adjust the recipe?
Back again to say I just tried them. Yumm! I only had three med ripe babnanas so just to test my idea, I added 1/2 cup cottage cheese. I also sub 1/2 cup whole wheat flour for the flour total (so 1 c regular and 1/2 cup whole wheat) with no other changes to the recipe and it came out great. 20 mins for mini muffins and 30 for the mini loaf pan was just about perfect.
Thanks!
Best Banana Bread Recipe :: Whipped great article thank you.
Did anyone have any trouble getting it to rise? I haven’t tried this recipe but I see that it has baking soda, From my knowledge baking soda is a base and requires something acidic for it to react and make the bread rise. I don’t see anything acidic in this recipe. Any thoughts?
great post
I don´t like bananas but my girlfrien made that bread and it was really good
Could chocolate chips be added to this recipe or would it change the texture too much?
Yes! I’ve added chocolate chips before and it is yummy!
I had read all the comments on this, while searching for a banana bread recipe that looked simple and actually tasted good. I know this doesn’t need any more positive reviews but my goodness! I just made this bread and it was superb!! I would strongly recommend this recipe to anyone looking for a good banana bread. Sooo yummy!
This will be my main recipe from now on. :) Thanks so much for sharing it.
My stomach was really open to looking at now look at it ..:))))
thanks for the helpful news
My husband loves banana bread and this is his favorite recipe.Thanks!
i never use shortening; so, this recipe was perfect for me. i just used two large bananas and found that was quite sufficient. i also added 1/4tsp vanilla extract. i was pretty happy with the result, but even though it seemed done, when i went to flip the loaf onto a cooling rack, the top fell off the bread. not sure what happened?
for more shortening free recipes, check out http://www.itallstartedwithcookies.com
Recepy looks good – i made a pekan/banana sandwich-bread last week and i tasted fantastic
I’m with you. I love banana bread. Thanks for posting this.
Nice recept. I love it. Thanks. I’ll watch your site regularly from now on.
Nice recept. I love it. Thanks. I’ll watch your site regularly from now on.
i made muffins out of this recipe, and they are completly awsome tasting. If you make muffins, 12 cook for 20 minute, and one batter makes 12 mufins.
I love this recipe! I just gave one loaf to my mail carrier. It is so good I really wanted to share it.
This one is so easy and the results are just wonderful!
My work is in health and fitness and I offer a free health newsletter. I am going to share this in my newsletter. I used half sugar and half splenda since my little ones don’t do well with too much sugar. It could not have tasted better. I give it 10 on the YUMMY scale.
Be blessed,
Rashelle
nice share. thank you
I have made this recipe about a dozen times already and have not left a comment. I think I owe it to this bread to tell you that it is absolutely wonderful. I can eat a whole loaf to myself. Its definatly a must make. Thank you for this recipe.
Umm, not to be a snoot, but I tried your recipe, and my banana bread is Not cooking…the top is all gooey and the edges are cooked way more than they should be. It’s been in there now over an hour…at 350. :/
Recepy looks good €“ i made a pekan/banana sandwich-bread last week and i tasted fantastic
I love this recipe! I just gave one loaf to my mail carrier. It is so good I really wanted to share it.
Looks quite yummy!
Beat the batter until it is good and smooth. Next add the salt and baking powder. Mix them in and then add the flour. You may need to use a big spoon to mix the flour in, because the batter may be kind of stiff by now. Add a little more water or milk if you think you need it. Trust your own eye. Finally stir in the nuts if you’re using them.
I have followed where the butter is melted and then added at the end instead of whipped in at the beginning.
I decided to make banana bread for me and my bf tonite and i came across this recipe. It looked simple, easy, and quick to make. The batter looked very yummy. Im excited to see and taste the outcome.
on my blog I will also link back to this post Thanks
Very good ! it’s already gone…my bananas are rotting for the next one !
Thanks a lot this turned out to be a amazingly moist and yummy banana bread that went fast.
Easy, No fuss, simple and tasty. I tried it and my three year old scoffed it. I like to try others recipes too. Yours was great. I added a little cinnamon for that extra little zing.
I have followed where the butter is melted and then added at the end instead of whipped in at the beginning.
Try serving this with whipped butter that has smashed bits of honeycomb – delicious!
I love banana bread.
Thanx for banana bread recipe, very delicous.
looks incredibly tasty. I just can feel the water gathering in my mouth… :))
I have made a lot of banana bread in my 40 years. This IS the best recipe yet!
i want my bread sticky! so i will place it in a ziploc fairly quickly. i love it sticky!!
This was great!! Made it this afternoon… I love the fact that there are only a few ingredients! YUM!
just made this! it turned out absolutely delicious: crusty outside, moist, and it’s not too sweet. I only had 2 bananas, so I added a bit of imitation banana extract (not sure if i needed to or not). I just used one pan. anyways- great recipe :) i’m surprised it still worked with only 2 bananas
I just want you to know that for years, this has been my go to recipe for banana bread. People think that I’m so talented and so wonderful and nope, it’s all you. I have the specific post bookmarked on my iPhone and iPad so that it’s readily available whenever I need it. Please don’t let this go anywhere. You’re the best, thank you so much for sharing, I’ve been meaning to tell you this for a long time!
This has been my go-to banana recipe for over 13 years. Easy, one bowl and delicious. I had hand written the recipe on a card years ago and came back to see if the blog was still around to reprint the recipe as mine is starting to be unreadable. I was happy to find the recipe was still online!
This comment made my day! So glad you are still using and enjoying the recipe.