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5.0 from 18 votes

Best Banana Bread Recipe

How to make the best banana bread using both oil and butter, sour cream and buttermilk, sweet ripe bananas, all topped with a brown sugar topping.

Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Servings: 8
Course: Breakfast , Bread
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 4 Tablespoons butter (softened)
  • 1/4 cup oil (canola or neutral oil)
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1/3 cup brown sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 large ripe bananas (mashed)
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup buttermilk
  • 1/4 cup sour cream
  • 1 3/4 cups flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
Topping:
  • 3 Tablespoons brown sugar

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Grease or line a 9x5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper or spray with non-stick cooking spray.
  2. Mash the Bananas. In a bowl, mash 2 large, very ripe bananas until mostly smooth.
  3. Combine Wet Ingredients. In a mixing bowl, cream softened butter, oil, brown sugar, and sugar for 3-4 minutes, scraping the sides of the bowl halfway through for even mixing. Add in eggs, one at a time. Add mashed bananas, sour cream, buttermilk, and vanilla extract and mix until combined.
  4. Mix Dry Ingredients In a separate bowl, whisk together -- flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Stir the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined. Overmixing can lead to a tough banana loaf. For extra warmth, you may stir in 1 teaspoon of cinnamon.
  5. Bake. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Sprinkle with 3 Tablespoons of brown sugar. Bake for 50–60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs. It should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs, not raw batter. I suggest tenting a piece of foil over the bread pan, halfway through baking to allow it to cook fully in the center without getting too brown.
  6. Cool & Slice. Let the bread cool in the pan for about 10–15 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack. Run a knife along the sides to loosen the bread from the pan.

Notes

  • Can You Freeze Banana Bread?
  • Yes! Banana bread freezes well. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, then foil, or use an airtight container. It stays fresh for up to 3 months in the freezer. Thaw overnight in the fridge or on the counter before serving.
  • How to Store Banana Bread?
  • Room Temperature: Wrap the cooled loaf in plastic wrap or foil to keep it moist.
  • Refrigerator: If your kitchen is very warm or humid, you can refrigerate it. Be sure to seal it well to avoid drying out.
  • To make banana bread even more gourmet, here are some twists you can make to classic banana bread:
  • Chocolate Chip Banana Bread: Add 1 cup of mini chocolate chips (plus set aside 1/4 cup for sprinkling on the top).
  • Tropical Banana Bread: Add 1 cup of sweetened coconut flakes and 3/4 cup of macadamia nuts.
  • Banana Walnut Bread: Add 1 to 1 1/2 cups of chopped walnuts to the banana bread.