Banana bread is one of those desserts that is perfect when you have leftover, overripe bananas laying around. This recipe is extremely soft and moist and is very difficult to mess up. All you need to do is mash the bananas, mix them with the batter, then bake. I love adding extra stuff such as chocolate chips or nuts.
Looking for more easy desserts? Try my tiramisu next!
About This Recipe
There is a lot of debate about whether banana bread is a cake or a bread. Well, I'm here to tell you it is definitely a cake. I mean, just look at the ingredients: sugar, eggs, and butter. Those are classic cake ingredients! And think about how people describe banana bread: soft, moist, and decadent. Those are cake adjectives.
Anyway, cake or not cake, this recipe is amazing. I learned it from my friend's mom when I was a kid. She used to make the best banana bread. It was super soft and moist and all-around delicious. Whenever I went to hang out at my friend's house, she was always baking a batch. I made sure to stay long enough that she cut a slice for everyone 😛.
When I started baking in grade 3, I asked her how she did it, and she told me the secret was using sour cream! The sour cream adds extra richness and moisture to the bread. Not only that, it also helps balance the sweetness of the bananas and sugar. And like I said, banana bread is like a cake, so it is very sweet, and the extra acidity goes a long way.
Key Ingredients
Dry ingredients: You will need all-purpose flour, baking soda, ground cinnamon, salt, and brown sugar. You might be wondering why I'm using baking soda instead of baking powder, and that is because the baking soda reacts with the sour cream and provides an even greater lift.
Bananas: For this recipe, the more ripe your bananas are, the better.
Eggs + butter: The eggs and butter should both be at room temperature so the butter can emulsify properly with the other wet ingredients.
Sour cream: Make sure this is room temperature as well. I used full-fat sour cream, and I recommend you do the same because the extra fat is what gives this banana bread the extra moistness.
Vanilla extract: Just a teaspoon to help elevate the flavor!
Add-ins: I love to add chopped pecans, chopped walnuts, or chocolate chips for extra texture and decadence. If you go with chocolate chips, I recommend dark chocolate chips as they are less sweet.
Instructions
STEP 1: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
STEP 2: Using either a hand beater or stand mixer with the paddle attachment, beat the butter and brown sugar on medium-high speed until pale and creamy, about 2 minutes.
STEP 3: Beat in the eggs one at a time, then mix in the sour cream, mashed bananas, and vanilla extract.
STEP 4: Gradually add the dry ingredients and mix on low speed until JUST combined. If you're adding nuts or chocolate chips, fold them in at this stage.
STEP 5: Pour into a tall loaf pan and bake at 350°F for 55-60 minutes until the top is browned and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. And by clean, I mean no wet batter; a few crumbs are OKAY.
📋 Recipe
Best Banana Bread (Super Moist!)
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (spooned & levelled)
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
- ¾ cup firmly packed brown sugar
- 2 large eggs (room temperature)
- ⅓ cup sour cream or plain yogurt (room temperature)
- 2 cups mashed bananas (about 4 large ripe bananas)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Optional add-ins
- ¾ cup chopped pecans/walnuts/chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F and set the rack in the lower middle position. Grease an 8x5 inch loaf pan with butter or oil.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
- Using either a hand beater or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter and brown sugar on medium-high speed until pale and creamy, about 2 minutes. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then mix in the sour cream, mashed bananas, and vanilla. Scrape the bowl as necessary.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients and mix on low speed until just combined. If adding nuts or chocolate chips, fold them in.
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and bake for 55-65 minutes until the top is browned and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean (a few dry crumbs are okay but no wet batter). If the top is browned before the inside is cooked, place some tinfoil on top.
- Remove the pan from the oven and let the bread cool inside it for 30 minutes. Cut into slices and serve!
Heather
Excellent - Very moist - loved by everyone
Grump
Awesome, Heather 🙂
Justa Angel Townsend
What can I use for egg substitute but still have moisture
Grump
You can just replace each egg with another 1/4 cup of mashed banana. Or, 1/4 cup of apple sauce, or yogurt/sour cream.
Heather
I had to extent my previous comment, I have been making Banana Bread for decades ~ This recipe has surpassed all! I have the best feedback ever from everyone who got a slice. Don't hesitate to follow the recipe as given and you will not be disappointed!
Grump
Wow, thank you for such a great review! That means a lot, especially from someone who's been baking banana bread for so many years 🙂
Amy Yarborough
C
Amy Yarborough
Can I use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream?
Grump
Yeah, Greek yogurt should work
Heather
This is loaf # 5 in the making - I wish I could record the ongoing compliments. When I left work a couple of days ago I was asked by three individuals if I was baking . . . surprise for them they will be treated tomorrow. When making the 4th loaf I was out of plain yogurt and subbed Coconut yogurt (LIBERTÉ MÉDITERRANÉE) and a scant 1/4 cup of toasted coconut, DECILIOUS and MOIST MOIST MOIST! I do have have to try your others recipes, and thank you Grump!
Grump
Im so glad you're still enjoying it, Heather! 😀 The coconut sounds rly good. I've got some frozen bananas in my freezer right now and I plan on making it again next week. Maybe ill add some coconut :^)
Heather
Look no further - this is the best Banana Bread recipe. I have now lost count of how often I have made it.
Pam
I am making this recipe today 😁
Heather
Yummy! This is the best banana bread! Really moist, I added walnuts (I love them) and super easy to make! My new go to recipe!
Anna Taylor
One of the best banana breads I have made. Very moist. I used ½ of the brown sugar and added walnuts. Highly recommend .
Kimberly
Just made this tonight! So good I’m taking it to work to share tomorrow 🙂 I added blueberries to the mix. Very good
John
This is the third time I have made this recipe. Turned out great every time. Thank you for sharing this.