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Best Moist Banana Bread Recipe

★★★★★

4.5 from 120 reviews
  • Author: Julian
  • Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
  • Yield: 1 loaf (about 10-12 slices) 1x
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

This Best Moist Banana Bread recipe delivers a perfectly tender and flavorful loaf, combining ripe bananas, a blend of sugars, and sour cream for ultimate moisture. Toasted nuts and warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves add depth and texture, making this banana bread a comforting classic that’s easy to bake and sure to satisfy.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup butter (1 stick, softened)
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar (packed)
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 cup mashed ripe banana (9 ounces, about 2 and 1/2 medium bananas)
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
  • 1/2 cup old fashioned oats (blended into a powder)
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 & 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 cup sour cream

Optional Ingredients

  • 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1/8 teaspoon cloves
  • 1/2 to 3/4 cup toasted pecans or walnuts

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Prepare a 9×5 inch loaf pan by spraying it with nonstick spray or lining it with parchment paper to make slicing easier.
  2. Toast Nuts (Optional): If adding nuts, spread 1/2 to 3/4 cup chopped walnuts or pecans on a dry baking sheet and bake at 350°F for 5-7 minutes, stirring every 2 minutes, until fragrant. Set aside to cool.
  3. Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl or stand mixer, beat softened butter until smooth. Add both brown and granulated sugars, then beat for about 2 minutes until fluffy, scraping bowl sides frequently.
  4. Add Eggs and Vanilla: Add eggs and vanilla extract to the creamed mixture and beat well until fully combined, scraping the bowl as needed.
  5. Add Mashed Bananas: Mash ripe bananas with a fork or potato masher until smooth. Add to the butter mixture and stir until fully incorporated.
  6. Add Flour: Add the all-purpose flour to the mixture but do not mix yet.
  7. Make Oat Flour: Blend old fashioned oats in a blender or food processor until powdery (a bit gritty is fine). Add oat flour to the bowl but don’t stir yet.
  8. Mix Dry Leavening and Salt: Use a small spoon to stir baking soda, baking powder, and kosher salt into the flour and oat mixture, breaking up any clumps.
  9. Add Spices (Optional): Add cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves if using; these spices enhance flavor but are not essential.
  10. Combine Dry into Wet: Stir the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just incorporated, scraping the bowl’s sides and bottom to avoid lumps.
  11. Fold In Sour Cream: Gently fold 1/2 cup sour cream into the batter to maintain moisture and texture.
  12. Add Nuts (Optional): Fold the toasted nuts into the batter, reserving some to sprinkle on top if desired.
  13. Transfer Batter to Pan: Pour batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top evenly.
  14. Bake: Bake at 350°F for 55-65 minutes. Test doneness by inserting a toothpick deep into the center; it should come out clean or with moist crumbs but no wet batter. The bread should be golden brown and pulling away from the pan sides.
  15. Cool: Let the banana bread cool on a wire rack for at least 20 minutes before slicing.
  16. Store: Store the bread covered at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, refrigerate leftover bread.
  17. Freeze: To freeze, wrap whole loaf tightly in foil and place in a zip-top bag or slice and freeze individual pieces. Thaw at room temperature in sealed packaging; reheat slices in a toaster to freshen.

Notes

  • Using very ripe bananas ensures maximum sweetness and moisture.
  • Toast nuts carefully to avoid burning and enhance their flavor.
  • Blending oats into oat flour adds fiber and a tender crumb to the bread.
  • The sour cream is key for moist texture and slight tangy flavor.
  • Spices are optional but add warmth and complexity.
  • Check banana bread doneness with a toothpick to prevent underbaking.
  • Store banana bread well wrapped to preserve freshness.
  • Freezing banana bread is easy and convenient for future snacks.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 60 minutes
  • Category: Bread
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Keywords: banana bread, moist banana bread, easy banana bread recipe, toasted nuts banana bread, homemade banana bread

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Find it online: https://juliandempsey.com/best-moist-banana-bread-recipe/