The World's Best Banana Bread Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 3/4 cup (170g) unsalted butter, to be browned
- 3/4 cup (150g) packed light or dark brown sugar
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1/3 cup (80g) plain Greek yogurt or sour cream, at room temperature
- 1 cup (230g) banana reduction (from 350-360 grams mashed bananas)
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Optional: 3/4 cup (100g) chopped walnuts or pecans (soaked in rum or bourbon overnight)
- Optional: 1/2 cup chocolate chips
- 1 banana, sliced lengthwise for topping
- 1-2 tablespoons sugar for topping
Instructions
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Preparation:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Position the oven rack in the lower third.
- Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan with nonstick spray or butter.
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Mix Dry Ingredients:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Set aside.
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Brown the Butter:
- Melt 3/4 cup (170g) unsalted butter in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly until it turns golden brown. Let it cool slightly. You should have about 1/2 cup of browned butter.
- Melt 3/4 cup (170g) unsalted butter in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly until it turns golden brown. Let it cool slightly. You should have about 1/2 cup of browned butter.
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Banana Reduction:
- Mash 350-360 grams of fresh, ripe bananas (about 3 medium bananas). Simmer the mashed bananas over low heat until reduced by about 35%, resulting in approximately 230 grams (1 cup) of banana reduction. Let it cool.
- Mash 350-360 grams of fresh, ripe bananas (about 3 medium bananas). Simmer the mashed bananas over low heat until reduced by about 35%, resulting in approximately 230 grams (1 cup) of banana reduction. Let it cool.
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Cream Butter and Sugar:
- Using a stand mixer or handheld mixer, beat the browned butter and brown sugar on high speed until light and creamy, about 2 minutes.
- Using a stand mixer or handheld mixer, beat the browned butter and brown sugar on high speed until light and creamy, about 2 minutes.
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Combine Wet Ingredients:
- Add the eggs one at a time to the butter mixture, beating well after each addition. Mix in the Greek yogurt (or sour cream), banana reduction, and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Add the eggs one at a time to the butter mixture, beating well after each addition. Mix in the Greek yogurt (or sour cream), banana reduction, and vanilla extract until well combined.
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Incorporate Dry Ingredients:
- With the mixer on low speed, gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture until just combined. Do not over-mix.
- Fold in the soaked nuts and chocolate chips if using.
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Assemble and Top with Bananas:
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Arrange the banana slices on top, cut side up. Sprinkle the banana slices evenly with 1-2 tablespoons of sugar.
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Arrange the banana slices on top, cut side up. Sprinkle the banana slices evenly with 1-2 tablespoons of sugar.
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Bake:
- Bake for 55-60 minutes, loosely covering the bread with aluminum foil halfway through to prevent over-browning. The bread is done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.
- Bake for 55-60 minutes, loosely covering the bread with aluminum foil halfway through to prevent over-browning. The bread is done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.
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Cool:
- Allow the bread to cool in the pan on a wire rack for about an hour. Then, remove the bread from the pan and let it cool completely on the wire rack before slicing.