Banana Bread Brunch: The Ultimate Recipe & Serving Ideas Recipe

Introduction

Banana bread is a classic comfort food that’s perfect for brunch or an anytime snack. This recipe yields a moist, flavorful loaf with warm spices and optional nuts or chocolate chips for added texture and taste.

Ingredients

• 3 very ripe bananas, mashed (about 1 ½ cups)
• ⅓ cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
• ½ cup chocolate chips (optional)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×5 inch loaf pan.
2. Step 2: Mash bananas in a large bowl until completely smooth.
3. Step 3: Add melted butter to mashed bananas and stir to combine.
4. Step 4: Whisk in granulated sugar until fully incorporated.
5. Step 5: Gently stir in egg and vanilla extract.
6. Step 6: In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
7. Step 7: Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, mixing gently until just combined. Do not overmix.
8. Step 8: Fold in optional nuts or chocolate chips if using.
9. Step 9: Pour batter into prepared loaf pan and spread evenly.
10. Step 10: Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. Start checking around 50 minutes. A few moist crumbs are okay.
11. Step 11: Let cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Tips & Variations

• For extra moisture, add a tablespoon of sour cream or yogurt to the batter.
• Substitute walnuts with pecans or omit nuts altogether for a nut-free version.
• Try adding a pinch of ground cloves or ginger for a spicier flavor.
• Use dark chocolate chips for a richer taste or white chocolate chips for a sweeter touch.

Storage

Store banana bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, wrap tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat slices gently in a toaster oven or microwave before serving.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen bananas for this recipe?

Yes, frozen bananas work well. Thaw them completely and drain any excess liquid before mashing to avoid a too-wet batter.

How do I know when the banana bread is done?

Insert a wooden skewer into the center of the loaf. If it comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs, the bread is done. Avoid overbaking to keep it moist.

Banana Bread Brunch: The Ultimate Recipe & Serving Ideas Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 113 reviews

• Author: Ethan
• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 1 loaf (about 10 slices) 1x
• Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

This classic banana bread recipe is moist, flavorful, and easy to bake, making it perfect for brunch or any time you crave a comforting homemade treat. Loaded with ripe bananas, warm spices, and optional nuts or chocolate chips, it’s a versatile loaf that pairs wonderfully with coffee or tea.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Wet Ingredients

• 3 very ripe bananas, mashed (about 1 ½ cups)
• ⅓ cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Dry Ingredients

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg

Optional Add-ins

• ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans
• ½ cup chocolate chips

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Instructions

1. Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×5 inch loaf pan to prevent sticking.
2. Mash Bananas: In a large bowl, mash the ripe bananas thoroughly until smooth to ensure even flavor throughout the bread.
3. Combine Wet Ingredients: Add the melted butter to the mashed bananas and stir to combine. This adds moisture and richness.
4. Mix in Sugar: Whisk in the granulated sugar until it is fully incorporated, ensuring sweetness is evenly distributed.
5. Add Egg and Vanilla: Gently stir in the egg and vanilla extract, which help bind the ingredients and enhance flavor.
6. Prepare Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg to distribute leavening and spices evenly.
7. Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing gently just until combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the bread tender.
8. Fold in Optional Ingredients: Fold in walnuts, pecans, or chocolate chips if using, to add texture and flavor.
9. Pour Batter into Pan: Pour the batter evenly into the prepared loaf pan and spread it out smoothly.
10. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 50-60 minutes. Start checking at 50 minutes by inserting a wooden skewer into the center; it should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
11. Cool: Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing to prevent crumbling.

Notes

• Use very ripe bananas with brown spots for maximum sweetness and moisture.
• Do not overmix the batter to avoid dense bread; mix until just combined.
• Optional nuts can be toasted beforehand to bring out more flavor.
• Chocolate chips add a sweeter twist but can be omitted for a traditional flavor.
• Store banana bread tightly wrapped at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for longer freshness.
• For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with a 1-to-1 gluten-free baking flour blend.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 55 minutes
• Category: Baking
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: banana bread, quick bread, brunch recipe, easy banana bread, homemade banana bread, moist banana bread, banana walnut bread, banana chocolate chip bread