Description
Comfort meets nostalgia in this Pioneer Woman banana nut bread recipe, blending ripe bananas with rich, toasted walnuts. Generous slices promise warmth and homestyle satisfaction that connect you directly to classic American baking traditions.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 overripe bananas, mashed (about 1 cup / 250 ml)
- 2 cups / 480 ml all-purpose flour
- 1 ¼ cups / 250 g granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- ½ cup / 115 g butter (softened)
- ½ cup / 120 ml milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ to 1 cup / 60-120 g chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) with the rack positioned centrally for uniform heat distribution.
- Creaming: In a large mixing bowl, whip softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy, creating a smooth, aerated base for the banana bread.
- Wet Ingredient Integration: Blend vanilla extract and eggs into the creamed mixture, ensuring a uniform, silky consistency.
- Dry Ingredient Combination: Sift flour, salt, and baking soda together, eliminating potential clumps and guaranteeing even distribution of dry components.
- Batter Assembly: Gently fold the sifted dry ingredients into the creamy base, alternating with mashed bananas and milk. Mix minimally to maintain the batter’s delicate texture, being careful not to overmix.
- Optional Nut Addition: If desired, carefully incorporate chopped walnuts or pecans throughout the batter, ensuring even distribution.
- Pan Preparation: Generously grease a 9×5 inch (23×13 centimeters) loaf pan with butter and dust with flour to prevent sticking.
- Baking Process: Pour the batter into the prepared pan, smoothing the surface evenly. Bake for 45-60 minutes (or 20-25 minutes for muffins) until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cooling and Serving: Allow the bread to rest in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing and enjoying.
Notes
- Butter Temperature Matters: Use room temperature butter for a smoother, more evenly mixed batter that creates a lighter, fluffier banana bread.
- Banana Ripeness Crucial: Select extremely ripe, almost black bananas with brown spots for maximum sweetness and deeper banana flavor.
- Mixing Technique Key: Avoid overmixing the batter; stir just until ingredients combine to prevent a tough, dense texture.
- Nut Optional Upgrade: Toasting walnuts or pecans before adding enhances their nutty flavor and provides a delightful crunch to the bread.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg