Grandma’s Banana Nut Bread

Banana Nut Bread

Description

This moist and flavorful banana nut bread is packed with ripe bananas, warm spices, and crunchy walnuts. Perfect for breakfast, a snack, or dessert, it’s a comforting homemade treat that’s easy to make and even easier to love.

Ingredients

For the Bread:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour

• 1 tsp baking soda

• ½ tsp baking powder

• ½ tsp salt

• 1 tsp ground cinnamon

• ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened

• 1 cup granulated sugar

• 2 large eggs

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• 3 medium ripe bananas, mashed (about 1 ½ cups)

• ½ cup sour cream or plain Greek yogurt

• 1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

Optional Topping:

• 2 tbsp chopped nuts for sprinkling on top

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven & Prepare Pan

   • Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and lightly flour a 9×5-inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper.

2. Mix Dry Ingredients

   • In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. Set aside.

3. Cream Butter & Sugar

   • In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.

4. Add Eggs & Flavor

   • Beat in eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla extract.

5. Add Bananas & Sour Cream

   • Stir in mashed bananas and sour cream until well combined.

6. Combine Wet & Dry

   • Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until combined.

7. Fold in Nuts

   • Gently fold in the chopped walnuts or pecans.

8. Bake

   • Pour batter into prepared loaf pan. Sprinkle optional topping nuts over batter.

   • Bake for 55–65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

9. Cool & Serve

   • Let bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.

Equipment

• 9×5-inch loaf pan

• Mixing bowls (medium & large)

• Hand or stand mixer

• Measuring cups and spoons

• Whisk

• Rubber spatula

• Cooling rack

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 55–65 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 10–20 minutes

Serving Size: 1 slice

Yields: 10–12 slices

Banana Nut Bread

This moist and flavorful banana nut bread is packed with ripe bananas, warm spices, and crunchy walnuts. Perfect for breakfast, a snack, or dessert, it’s a comforting homemade treat that’s easy to make and even easier to love.

Print Recipe

Prep Time:15 minutes mins

Cook Time:55 minutes mins

Total Time:1 hour hr 10 minutes mins

Equipment

• 9x5-inch loaf pan
• Mixing bowls (medium & large)
• Hand or stand mixer
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Whisk
• Rubber spatula
• Cooling rack

Ingredients

• For the Bread:
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• ½ cup 1 stick unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 3 medium ripe bananas mashed (about 1 ½ cups)
• ½ cup sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
• 1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
• Optional Topping:
• 2 tbsp chopped nuts for sprinkling on top

Instructions

• Preheat Oven & Prepare Pan
• Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and lightly flour a 9x5-inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper.
• Mix Dry Ingredients
• In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. Set aside.
• Cream Butter & Sugar
• In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.
• Add Eggs & Flavor
• Beat in eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla extract.
• Add Bananas & Sour Cream
• Stir in mashed bananas and sour cream until well combined.
• Combine Wet & Dry
• Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until combined.
• Fold in Nuts
• Gently fold in the chopped walnuts or pecans.
• Bake
• Pour batter into prepared loaf pan. Sprinkle optional topping nuts over batter.
• Bake for 55–65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
• Cool & Serve
• Let bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.

Servings: 12 slices

10 Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I use frozen bananas?
   Yes, thaw frozen bananas completely and drain excess liquid before mashing and using in the recipe.

2. Can I make this bread without nuts?
   Absolutely! Just omit the nuts or replace them with chocolate chips, dried fruit, or seeds.

3. Can I use whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour?
   Yes, but the bread will be denser. You can also do a half-and-half mix of whole wheat and all-purpose for a lighter texture.

4. What can I use instead of sour cream?
   Greek yogurt, plain yogurt, or even buttermilk can be substituted in equal amounts.

5. How do I know when the bread is done baking?
   Insert a toothpick into the center if it comes out clean or with just a few crumbs, it’s done.

6. Can I double the recipe?
   Yes, just bake in two separate loaf pans and check for doneness around the same time.

7. Why is my banana bread dense?
   Overmixing the batter can cause a dense texture. Mix just until combined.

8. Can I make this into muffins?
   Yes! Bake at the same temperature for about 18–22 minutes, checking with a toothpick.

9. Can I reduce the sugar?
   Yes, you can cut sugar to ¾ cup for a less sweet version without affecting texture much.

10. Can I add spices like nutmeg or cloves?
    Yes, ¼ tsp nutmeg or ⅛ tsp cloves will add extra warmth and depth to the flavor.

How To Store Banana Nut Bread

• Room Temperature:
  Wrap the cooled loaf tightly in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container. Keeps fresh for 2–3 days.

• Refrigerator:
  Wrap in plastic wrap and place in an airtight container; will last up to 5–7 days.

• Freezer:
  Wrap the whole loaf or individual slices tightly in plastic wrap, then foil, and place in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 3 months.

  • To Thaw: Leave at room temperature for a few hours or overnight in the refrigerator.

• Tip:
  For best flavor and texture, warm slices in the microwave for 10–15 seconds before serving.