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Tender Classic Banana Bread Recipe with Crunchy Walnuts

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A tender and moist classic banana bread with toasted walnuts for a satisfying crunch. Easy to make with simple pantry ingredients, perfect for breakfast, snacks, or dessert.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 to 4 ripe bananas, mashed
  • 2 cups (240 g) all-purpose flour (can substitute with gluten-free flour blend)
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup (113 g) unsalted butter, softened
  • ¾ cup (150 g) granulated sugar
  • ¼ cup (50 g) light brown sugar, packed
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ¾ cup (90 g) chopped walnuts, toasted

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease your loaf pan with butter or line it with parchment paper.
  2. Toast the walnuts by spreading them evenly on a baking sheet and baking for 5-7 minutes until fragrant and lightly browned. Set aside to cool.
  3. Mash the bananas in a large bowl with a fork or potato masher until mostly smooth with a few small lumps remain.
  4. In a separate bowl, cream the softened butter with granulated and brown sugars until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
  5. Beat in eggs one at a time, fully incorporating each before adding the next. Stir in vanilla extract.
  6. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet banana mixture, stirring gently with a spatula until just combined.
  7. Fold in toasted walnuts, reserving a handful for topping if desired.
  8. Pour batter into the prepared loaf pan and sprinkle reserved walnuts on top.
  9. Bake in the center of the oven for 55-65 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick at 55 minutes; it should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
  10. Cool the bread in the pan for 10-15 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

Toast walnuts before adding to the batter to enhance flavor and crunch. Avoid overmixing the batter to keep the bread tender. Use a toothpick test to check doneness. Let bread cool before slicing to prevent crumbling. For dairy-free, substitute butter with coconut oil or plant-based margarine. For nut-free, replace walnuts with sunflower or pumpkin seeds without toasting.

Nutrition

Keywords: banana bread, classic banana bread, walnut banana bread, easy banana bread, homemade banana bread, quick banana bread, moist banana bread

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