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Sweet Memory Banana Bread

Mash real ripe bananas with sugar and eggs. Mix in flour, spices and chopped nuts. Pour in loaf pan, top with more nuts. Bake till house smells sweet and knife comes clean. Makes two loaves - one to eat now, one to share or freeze for later.

Featured in Fresh-Baked Comfort.

Fatiha
Updated on Sun, 05 Jan 2025 01:25:50 GMT
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A freshly baked banana bread loaf with walnuts, sliced and displayed in a baking dish. Pin it
A freshly baked banana bread loaf with walnuts, sliced and displayed in a baking dish. | zestplate.com

Looking for a moist banana nut bread recipe? This easy banana nut bread recipe has been in our family for generations. Only 10 minutes of prep gives you perfect banana nut bread every time. With sweet mashed bananas and crunchy walnuts, this recipe creates a rich, dense bread that tastes just like grandma's.

Why This Recipe Works

The best banana nut bread recipe should be simple and delicious - that's what makes this one special. Using basic ingredients you already have, this recipe for banana nut bread turns out perfectly moist every time. Add chocolate chips or try our banana nut bread recipe with sour cream for extra richness. Perfect from breakfast to dessert, this easy banana nut bread recipe makes everyone happy.

Simple Ingredients

  • Flour: Regular flour makes this moist banana nut bread recipe perfect
  • Baking Soda: Helps bread rise nicely
  • Salt: Just a pinch enhances flavor
  • Sugar: Makes it perfectly sweet
  • Oil: Creates the moistest banana nut bread recipes
  • Eggs: Hold everything together
  • Vanilla: Adds wonderful flavor
  • Ripe Bananas: Key for the best banana nut bread recipe
  • Walnuts: Can't make banana nut bread without nuts!

Easy Steps to Follow

Heat Oven:
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. While it warms up, grease your loaf pans thoroughly with butter and dust with flour. This prevents any sticking and makes removal easy.
Mix Dry Stuff:
In a large bowl, whisk together your flour, baking soda, and salt until well blended. This ensures your bread rises evenly and has consistent flavor throughout.
Blend Wet Items:
Using another bowl, mix your sugar, oil, and eggs until smooth and creamy. Add vanilla and sour cream, stirring until everything's well combined. The sour cream makes your bread extra moist and tender.
Add Bananas:
Mash your ripe bananas until mostly smooth but still a bit chunky - this gives great texture. Mix them into your wet ingredients until just combined.
Combine All:
Pour your wet mixture into the dry ingredients. Stir gently with a spatula, making sure to scrape the bottom of the bowl. Stop mixing as soon as you don't see any dry flour - overmixing makes tough bread.
Add Nuts:
Sprinkle in your chopped walnuts and fold them in with just a few strokes. Save some to sprinkle on top for extra crunch and pretty presentation.
Pour and Bake:
Divide your batter between the prepared pans, smoothing the tops. Pop them in the oven for 35-45 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean and the tops are golden brown.
Cool and Store:
Let the loaves cool in their pans for about 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely. Once cool, wrap well in foil or plastic to keep fresh.

What Makes This Special

Want to know why this easy banana nut bread recipe stands out? It's all in the little details. From perfectly ripe bananas to the right amount of nuts, this recipe for banana nut bread creates something truly special. Each slice brings back memories of grandma's kitchen and the best banana nut bread recipe you've ever tasted.

Choosing Perfect Bananas

For the moistest banana nut bread recipes, pick dark, spotty bananas. These super-ripe ones make your bread extra sweet and moist. Need to speed things up? Pop yellow bananas in the oven - works great for any moist banana nut bread recipe you're making.

Easy Baking Tips

Making this easy banana nut bread recipe is super simple. Start by mashing those ripe bananas well. Mix everything gently - that's the secret to perfect texture. Whether you're trying the basic recipe or the banana nut bread recipe with sour cream version, gentle mixing makes better bread.

A freshly baked loaf of nut bread topped with walnut pieces, displayed on a wire rack. Pin it
A freshly baked loaf of nut bread topped with walnut pieces, displayed on a wire rack. | zestplate.com

Recipe Variations

This best banana nut bread recipe works great with changes. Add cinnamon, mix in chocolate chips, or try different nuts. Every moist banana nut bread recipe can be adjusted to your taste. The basic recipe for banana nut bread is just the start - make it your own!

Storage Tips

Keep your easy banana nut bread recipe fresh by wrapping it well after cooling. Stays good for 5 days on the counter. Want to save some? These moist banana nut bread recipes freeze great - wrap tight and freeze up to 3 months. Perfect for whenever you need a slice!

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Need different nuts?

Any kind works good. Pecans taste nice. Skip em if you want. Still makes good bread. Mix kinds even.

→ Got one pan only?

Big pan works fine. Takes bit longer though. Watch middle done good. Check more often. Tent top maybe.

→ Bananas too brown?

Better when they're dark. More sweet that way. Spots mean good bread. Freeze em if you want. Save the soft ones.

→ Top getting dark?

Cover with foil loose. Lower heat some. Move pan down bit. Check early maybe. Watch it close.

→ Got milk stuff in?

Nope, all milk free! Good for some folks. Still tastes rich though. Don't need milk here. Bananas make it moist.

→ Getting too dry?

More banana helps. Check oven temp good. Don't cook too long. Test early maybe. Keep it wrapped fresh.

→ Taking it places?

Wrap while warm. Keep it flat. Use firm box. Wait till cool though. Takes bumps good.

→ Need it fast?

Mix dry stuff first. Mash fruit quick. One bowl works. Skip fancy mix. Still tastes good.

→ Making big batch?

Double works fine. Need more pans. Watch oven space. Freeze extra good. Keeps long time.

→ Want more taste?

Add more spice in. Try bit honey. Fresh nuts help. Even chocolate works. Don't hide banana though.

→ Not rising good?

Check your stuff fresh. Don't mix too much. Pan not too full. Oven temp right. Give it time.

→ Bread sticky top?

Let cool more. Use cooling rack. Air flow helps lots. Don't wrap hot. Patient is best.

Conclusion

Love this? Try banana pancakes next. Or make sweet banana muffins. Both use ripe fruit good.

Grandma's Banana Nut Bread

Quick comfort banana bread.

Prep Time
10 Minutes
Cook Time
40 Minutes
Total Time
50 Minutes
By: Fatiha

Category: Breads & Muffins

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: American

Yield: 18 Servings (2 loaves)

Dietary: Vegetarian, Dairy-Free

Ingredients

01 2 cups all-purpose flour.
02 1½ teaspoons baking soda.
03 Pinch of salt.
04 1 cup granulated sugar.
05 ½ cup vegetable oil.
06 2 eggs.
07 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.
08 4 medium ripe bananas, mashed (about 1⅓ cups or 303 grams).
09 1 cup coarsely chopped walnuts.

Instructions

Step 01

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Grease two 8x4-inch loaf pans and set them aside.

Step 02

In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and a pinch of salt. Set aside the dry mixture for later.

Step 03

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract until well combined.

Step 04

Gently add the mashed bananas to the wet mixture and stir until incorporated.

Step 05

Fold the dry mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring until you achieve a completely blended batter.

Step 06

Using a rubber spatula, carefully fold in the chopped walnuts.

Step 07

Divide the batter evenly between the two prepared loaf pans.

Step 08

Bake in the preheated oven for 35 to 45 minutes. The bread is done when a thin knife inserted into the center comes out clean. If the tops are browning too quickly, cover with foil during the last part of baking.

Step 09

Allow the loaves to cool in their pans for about 10 minutes, then gently remove them and place them on a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 10

To store, wrap each loaf tightly in plastic wrap at room temperature for up to 5 days. Alternatively, freeze them by wrapping tightly in both plastic wrap and aluminum foil for up to 3 months.

Notes

  1. If you lack two 8-inch loaf pans, you can use a single 9-inch loaf pan and adjust the baking time accordingly—check at about 55 minutes.
  2. For a sweeter and moister bread, use very ripe bananas with plenty of brown spots.
  3. Feel free to substitute walnuts with pecans, hazelnuts, cashews, almonds, or peanuts, or omit the nuts entirely for a nut-free version.
  4. Add a hint of cinnamon (about ½ teaspoon) for an extra layer of flavor, or mix in chocolate chips or dried fruit like raisins or cranberries for variety.

Tools You'll Need

  • Oven.
  • Medium bowl.
  • Large bowl.
  • 8x4-inch loaf pans.
  • Whisk.
  • Rubber spatula.
  • Wire rack.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Gluten.
  • Nuts.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 219
  • Total Fat: 10 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 28 g
  • Protein: 3 g