📝 About This Recipe
This isn't just another banana bread; it is a sophisticated take on the American classic, featuring deeply caramelized brown butter and a hint of bourbon to elevate the natural sweetness of overripe bananas. The result is a moist, dense crumb with a complex nutty undertone and a shimmering sugar crust that crackles with every bite. Perfect for a cozy morning or an elegant afternoon tea, this loaf redefines comfort baking with its rich aroma and velvet texture.
🥗 Ingredients
The Wet Base
- 1/2 cup Unsalted butter (to be browned and cooled slightly)
- 3-4 large Overripe bananas (very spotted or black, mashed (about 1.5 cups))
- 2 Large eggs (at room temperature)
- 1/4 cup Greek yogurt or sour cream (full fat for best moisture)
- 2 teaspoons Pure vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon Bourbon or dark rum (optional, for depth of flavor)
The Dry Essentials
- 2 cups All-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
- 3/4 cup Light brown sugar (packed)
- 1/4 cup Granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon Baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon Ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon Ground nutmeg (freshly grated if possible)
Mix-ins and Topping
- 1/2 cup Toasted walnuts or pecans (coarsely chopped)
- 1/2 cup Dark chocolate chips (60% cacao or higher)
- 1 tablespoon Turbinado sugar (for a crunchy topping)
- 1 pinch Flaky sea salt (for finishing)
👨🍳 Instructions
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1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan generously with butter and line the bottom with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy removal.
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2
In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the 1/2 cup of butter. Continue cooking, swirling the pan occasionally, until the butter foams and then develops tiny brown specks and a nutty aroma (about 5-8 minutes). Remove from heat immediately and pour into a large mixing bowl to cool.
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3
In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg until well combined.
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4
To the bowl with the cooled brown butter, add the brown sugar and granulated sugar. Whisk vigorously until the mixture looks like wet sand and no lumps remain.
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5
Add the eggs one at a time to the butter-sugar mixture, whisking well after each addition until the batter is smooth and glossy.
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6
Stir in the mashed bananas, Greek yogurt, vanilla extract, and bourbon. Mix until the wet ingredients are fully integrated.
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7
Switch to a large rubber spatula. Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients. Stop as soon as you see no more streaks of white flour; overmixing will lead to a tough loaf.
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8
Gently fold in the chopped toasted nuts and dark chocolate chips, if using, distributing them evenly through the thick batter.
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9
Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top with your spatula.
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10
Sprinkle the turbinado sugar and a tiny pinch of flaky sea salt evenly over the top of the batter to create a professional bakery-style crust.
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11
Bake for 60 to 65 minutes. At the 45-minute mark, check the color; if it's browning too quickly, tent the pan loosely with aluminum foil.
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12
The bread is done when a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs (no wet batter).
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13
Let the bread cool in the pan for 15 minutes. This allows the structure to set so it doesn't crumble when sliced.
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14
Use the parchment paper overhang to lift the loaf out and transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.
💡 Chef's Tips
Use bananas that are heavily speckled with black—the darker they are, the sweeter and more aromatic your bread will be. Don't skip browning the butter; it adds a savory, toffee-like depth that balances the sugar. If you don't have Greek yogurt, full-fat sour cream or even a tablespoon of lemon juice in whole milk works as a substitute to activate the baking soda. Measure your flour using the 'spoon and level' method to avoid a dry, dense loaf. For the cleanest slices, wait until the bread is completely cool, though it is tempting to eat it warm!
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
Serve a thick slice toasted with a generous smear of salted cultured butter. Drizzle with a bit of warm honey or maple syrup for an extra decadent breakfast. Pair with a hot cup of Earl Grey tea or a dark roast coffee to cut through the richness. Top a warm slice with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream for a quick and comforting dessert. Spread with almond butter and top with fresh banana coins for a protein-packed snack.