Have you guys ever seen a banana tree in real life? They’re kind of freaky looking. I think I’ve seen them before when I was a kid visiting Thailand with my parents, but I must have put them out of my mind because of how strange they look. I saw a bunch of banana trees recently in Hawaii, and even here in LA and they’re just as scary as my five-year-old self thought they were.
I can’t imagine who saw bananas and thought they would be good to eat. I’m guessing we can thanks our monkey friends for figuring that one out. Speaking of monkeys, do you know that they like to peel them from the “bottom” end – opposite the stem? I forgot who taught me how to do that, but it’s the only way I open bananas now. I like the built in handle that you can hold on to and when you open them from the “bottom” end, which is actually the top, if you’ve ever seen a banana tree, the fruit inside doesn’t end up mushy or bruised.
Then again, sometimes all you want are mushy old bananas. Especially when you’re going to make banana bread. I’ve written quite a few posts about banana bread – apparently I’m pretty passionate about it – and if you’ve read any of them you know that I’m on a quest for the ultimate banana bread.
I’m forever asking people what their favorite banana breads are so I can test them out. Alana gave me a heads up for this recipe and I couldn’t wait to give it a go. I thought it would make a sweet gift for one of my close friends – she’s a banana sweets fiend (her fave is banana cheesecake from The Cheesecake Factory) and she just had an adorable baby boy named Oliver.
This loaf was almost everything I dreamed. The flavor was intensely banana-y and the crumb was small, tender and moist. The only thing missing was a domed top. To me, flat top loaves just don’t have that same appeal. If I could figure a way out to dome this baby it would be the ultimate. In any case, it’s still my current top banana bread and that’s saying a lot, coming from me!
PS – Fun fact and also a little bit of insight into my crazy brain: another friend had gifted a loaf of banana bread and I couldn’t resist asking Amy which bread was better. She very sweetly said “yours, of course.” I’m not sure if I believe her though…
Flour Bakery's Famous Banana Bread
Ingredients
- 1 2/3 cups all purpose flour 210 grams
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar 230 grams
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup canola or other flavorless oil 100 grams
- 3 1/2 very ripe bananas, peeled and mashed about 1.5 cups or 340 grams
- 2 tbsp sour cream
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- With the rack in the center of the oven, preheat to 325°F. Lightly butter and flour pan(s) of choice. You can use a standard 9x5 loaf pan or three 6x3 mini loaf pans
- Sift together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt in a bowl and set aside.
- With a stand mixer fitted with the whip attachment, beat together the sugar and eggs on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes.
- Switch to low speed and slowly drizzle in the oil, taking your time.
- Add the bananas, sour cream, and vanilla, and continue to mix on low speed just until combined.
- Use a rubber spatula to fold in the flour mixture until thoroughly combined. No flour streaks should be visible.
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan(s) and bake for 1 to 1 1/4 hours for a 9x5-inch loaf, and about 50 minutes for three 6x3-inch loaves. The loaves should be golden brown on top and the cake will spring back when you press it.
- Let cool in the pan on a wire rack for 30 minutes, remove from the pan and let cool completely on the wire rack. Enjoy!
i love joanne chang’s recipes (her chocolate chip cookie is my go to), so i’ll have to try this one out too! my fave banana bread recipe rn is bon appetit’s best banana bread, in case you need another to try out (:
This recipe has been my go-to for years now! Everyone I know absolutely LOVES it and begs for me to make it all the time! Highly highly highly recommend <3
I love their Banana Bread but their sticky buns are just amazing. It’s very dangerous living around the corner from a Flour Bakery.
ooh i love this bread! i’ve made the recipe before; it’s delicious, but i agree with you about the domed top. it needs that cuteness!
You’ll get a domed top if you use 2 tsps of baking powder and half a tsp of baking soda. You can also save yourself a lot of time by putting the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt in the mixer bowl and whisking for a few seconds, then add all all the other ingredients at once and turn on the mixer until the ingredients are blended, I’ve done it this way for many years and haven’t had a failure. I also add 3/4 cup of chopped walnuts.
I did just as you said, using the combination of baking powder and baking soda. Perfect, thank you.
Full dome, split open just a little. I added chocolate chips!
Mixed all dry, slowly added eggs, oil, bananas ect. OMG..mouth watering
LOOKS SO FREAKIN’ GOOD!! Def one of my favorites!!
Hi, I think this cake looks lovely, maybe daintier than if it were domed but that’s personal ^^. I’ll have to try your recipe since I love banana bread and I’m always looking for the perfect recipe too!
For the dome top I usually run a knife and pipe a fine line of soft butter inside just before I bake it, I got the tip from a baker a long time ago for loaf cakes and I find that if you score it a bit like bread it helps it get this nice dome and perfect crack. Maybe give it a try, it can’t hurt anyway :)
Have a lovely day!
Oh love this recipe. When I first heard it was the best I was a non-believer. But really, it is the BEST!
After living in Sydney for three years I have become a little obsessive about banana bread too. It is its own food group in Australia! So I am super keen to try a new improved recipe. Thanks for posting. Always love your luminous photography. Very inspiring Steph. Cheers.
Try adding baking soda or baking powder (or a combination of both) for a better rise and thus a domed top!
I’m a big fan of banana bread and can’t wait to try this recipe!
I’ve tried at least 10 different banana bread recipes over the years, and this is my go-to. After the first time I made it, my boyfriend literally went to the store the next day and bought more bananas just so I could make it again. I actually get a domed top every time, so I’m not sure what you’re doing differently. It’s the ultimate in my book.
I agree with you. This is my go-to recipe and I have made it for years and it always has a dome on top. It is so good. I am making two tonight one plain and one with chocolate chips.
Love Flour, and Joanne’s recipes are alway a little extra special. I’ve tried this recipe and I remember it was delicious though I was a little thrown by the sunken top and the dark color. But again, the taste wins out. For what it’s worth, my favorite banana bread recipe is the one in Molly @ Orangette’s first book; I skip the candied ginger and add some ground ginger…it is our favorite. ; )
If you use the suggestion Louise made, 2 tsp baking powder, 1/4 tsp baking soda, the top will dome, not sink. Worked perfectly for me.
I’m soo going to try this tomorrow, my family is a huge fan of banana breads and a few years ago when we were visiting the US we tried flour bakery’s banana bread. So you probably see how excited I am about this already and if you think this is awesome I don’t need any more convincing.?
I am going to try this with a gluten-free mix-almond, sorghum, and buckwheat flours that I make myself. I will keep you posted. I really miss banana bread.
Keyan
that step of whipping the sugar and eggs for 5 minutes is crucial and what’s missing from other recipes. So good. I made this with my kids and we put about 1-2 tablespoons of chocolate chips, just because. It came out fantastic!
You need to try this recipe. It is not from someone rich and famous. It is from my kitchen and always receives raves.
BANANNA BREAD
1 cup sugar. Topping
1/2 cup Butter, melted. 1 /3 cup sugar
1. Cup mashed ripe bananas. 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1 & 1/2 cups flour. 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 large egg. 1/4 cup chopped walnuts
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon real vanilla
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
3/4 cup chopped walnuts
Mix together with a whisk. Do not over do it.
Pour into prepared loaf pan, or muffin cups
Sprinkle topping over top.
Bake at 375° for 20 minutes (muffins), check with toothpick to be sure they are ready. A loaf will need to bake longer. I usually begin checking at 35 minutes.
Cool in pan for 15 minutes and then turn out on a towel.
Enjoy.
Sorry. This ran the topping and recipe together.
Topping
1/3 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 cup chopped walnuts.
Hi Stephanie,
I am not a banana bread specialist but based on my macaron baking experience, I would instinctively incorporate an Italian meringue to add air and structure to your batter: You can try to use the recipe’s egg white, part of the sugar and a little water to make that Italian meringue.
The ratio for the Italian meringue would be 2 egg whites (44g) to 120g sugar to 44g water.
I will make some tests in a near future :)
If you feel strongly about banana bread shape, you could make this recipe in a can. That’s how my grandma made banana bread. You end up with cute, round slices.
I made this this morning and already more than half the loaf is gone. And the clock is embarassingly sitting at 3pm. Granted it was shared between two people, but still!! So crazy yummy!
I’ve been trying to make a successful banana bread for months. Because my boyfriend is gluten free, they’ve always came out like bricks, dense and gummy. But I used King Alfred’s Gluten Free Flour and it came out perfectly! The sweetness of the bread was perfect and it crisped a little around the sides giving it this sweet sweet crunch! :)
thanks so much for sharing!! It was magical. If I had more ripe bananas I’d probably try to make a second batch this afternoon!! ahaha good thing I dont!
Hi, I am in love with your recipes and your photos. Can you let me know which camera you are using ?
Try baking this in a rice cooker, it will have a rounded dome top when you flip it over. I used butter though, it tastes good. I haven’t tried it with oil but I will!
I am an avid lover of bananas, which of course includes banana breads! Can’t wait to try this !!
I like chez pim’s one bowl banana bread recipe, it never fails, and one bowl!
I use this recipe exclusively. I’m able to dome the top every time! I fill the pan 3/4, sometimes, a tad more full. Bake an additional 15 or so minutes at same temp. Toothpick in center comes out clean, it’s done! Crispy muffin top, every time!People rave about the crispy top all the time.
I’ve made this banana bread so many times. And then I tried and switched to a different recipe, and my husband was like.. meh. Haha! Usually he would eat the entire loaf in one go—but he barely even touched the other one. So it’s proven. This banana bread beats all.
So I churched this amazing recipe up a smidge & it turned out AHHHHHAAAAMAZING!
I changed up the banking soda to baking powder (2 tsp) and baking soda (1/2 tsp) will give the domed top.
Also, I added pumpkin spice (which has allspice, ginger, cinnamon, & nutmeg) in place of just cinnamon in the flour mix, but I also added cinnamon (about a tsp) into my banana mash up prior to mixing w/everything else.
Now as for the oil, in place of the oil, I melted & cooled butter (I’ve read that this tends to have an oil taste otherwise?).
The other thing I did was switch 3/4C of bread flour instead of all purpose (I love the texture). Before I put it in the oven I pour melted butter over top & toss on some white sugar…also I did everything by hand. Works the muscles to get that emulsion but it can be done.
But you make it just like the remainder of the recipe.
Turned out brilliant!
The addition of spice really helped & that little bit of salty sweet butter top crunch really kicked it up.
What I wanted to try is some way to properly incorporate peanut butter…might be too heavy…
I made this recently and it was so moist and delicious my friend. I too had a flat top, it was domed when it came out if the oven but then deflated during cooling. Thanks for the recipe – this is a keeper!
i just went to flour bakery and i’m happy to report that their banana bread is flat on top too! :) glad you liked the recipe!
We have made this recipie over and over, we agree it’s truly one of the best!! My daughter said the same thing about the domed top!!?
Absolutely amazed at how well this recipe turned out! I have made many a banana bread in the past, but I have to say, this is hands down the best! The hubby even said it beats the banana breads from Hawaii! Love the recipe, definitely a keeper! I followed the recipe pretty much to the dot and baked in a 9×5 loaf pan for about 1h 5 mins.
I have tried making this bread twice now and each time it falls in the center. So frustrating. I live at 5,584 ft elevation. Is there an adjustment to the recipe that I should be using? Other recipes for the same Flour Bakery Banana bread calls for the oven to be set at 350 degrees and baking for an hour. Others say 325 degrees for 75 minutes. I have used glass as well as the metal loaf pans, bread flour as well as unbleached flour to no avail. I love the taste but have to throw out the center because it is still too mushy. Any suggestions?
hi CT,
i haven’t baked at high elevations before but i think maybe increasing the temperature and baking longer might help. also, this recipe definitely has a very light and airy batter, so make sure you take the time to whip the eggs light and fluffy and drizzle in the oil very slowly. i’ve also heard that when you bake at high elevations you need to decrease the sugar by a tablespoon or two, but that will definitely change the flavor.
Use high altitude flour! I use Hungarian high altitude flour.
Hi, If you haven’t tried Stella Parks’ recipe, I would highly recommend: https://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2016/09/classic-banana-bread-recipe.html
Also be sure to check out the accompanying article which provides an awesome list of banana bread recipe “upgrades” (including a particularly brilliant tip on how to instantly ripen your bananas!):
https://www.seriouseats.com/2016/09/how-to-make-the-best-banana-bread.html
Thanks so much for the banana chantilly tip!
Flour Bakery’s banana bread is the one I have been baking ever since I found it on the internet. It is by far the best. I reduce the amount of sugar to slightly less than 3/4 of a cup… I also add some ground cloves and pinch of freshly ground nutmeg to the dry ingredients. Every now and then, I like to add rum-soaked dried cranberries and chopped cashew nuts to the mix and, instead of sour cream, I use creme frêche. Also ocassionally, I like to us halved fresh grapes that I throw in with the mashed bananas. This is an incredibly versatile, wonderful recipe…
This is almost exactly my recipe and i get a big dome top. I use 3/4 c. Brown sugar. I use 1 stick of real butter instead of oil and i use 2 cups of flour. Yougurt works well if u dont have sour cream. Dont forget walnuts.
O and i bake at 350° for 65 minutes
Hmmmm , I don’t ever have a problem with a sunken loaf but then again I use my own homemade recipe, much different than this one but also much better, but I don’t give out my secrets , keeps everyone guessing to why it’s so good , if that’s considered famous then I guess my recipe would be considered beyond famous because this recipe doesn’t compare, not my thoughts but everyone else’s.
DELICIOUS! and by far, the best recipe I’ve tried… and I have tried many! I modified the recipe a little to make it dairy-free (2 tbsp full fat coconut milk + 3/4 tSp lemon juice in place of 2tbsp sir cream) and used coconut oil instead of ‘flavorless oil’. I was told that this mimics the amazing banana bread that’s my friend grew up eating in Hawaii.
DELICIOUS! and by far, the best recipe I’ve tried… and I have tried many! I modified the recipe a little to make it dairy-free (2 tbsp full fat coconut milk + 3/4 tSp lemon juice in place of 2tbsp sir cream) and used coconut oil instead of ‘flavorless oil’. I was told that this mimics the amazing banana bread that’s my friend grew up eating in Hawaii. BTW … with the mods… i baked for 75 mins, it was perfect and had a domed top.
I’m making alot of grandmothers very mad lol…with my vegan banana bread. It’s a new way to bake, no kidding around. You can’t tell the difference between the old way with butter and eggs. So good!!! Thank you
is it okay if you share your vegan banana bread recipe? :o
this was, unfortunately, incredibly oily to the point where i could actually TASTE the oil. it’s a disappointment because the texture otherwise was great—but i’ll use butter next time.
Could i make these into muffins? If so how long would the bake time be and what temperature for the oven?
Thank you!
hi,
you can definitely make them muffins! do them at the same temp and start checking at 20-25 minutes for doneness.
Thank you so much!!
This has been my banana bread recipe for several years! Absolutely the best! I use EXTREMELY overripe bananas, and chopped walnuts. Even my child who hates bananas and nuts loves this bread?
the extremely ripe bananas are key!
Hi , I just left a review . Can you remove my last name? Thanks!
hi, done :)
If I don’t have sour cream, would plain greek yogurt work??
hi lisa,
absolutely, i’ve subbed plain greek yogurt with great success :)
This turned out terrific. It really is the best!
I usually use BA’s Best Banana Bread recipe as well, but decided to give this one a try. I got slightly domed tops. But I reduced the sugar to 3/4 cup and used 1/4 tsp table salt, since all I had was coarse kosher salt.
My pursuit of the “best” banana bread recipe is probably complete now… Now I have two favorites!
the pursuit of the best banana bread is noble (and ever so tasty) one :)
My new favorite Banana Bread recipe, with a few changes. I use half AP flour, and half White WW flour; 2 tsps BP and 1/4 tsp BS; 1/3 c white sugar and 1/3 c brown; add 1/2 c unsweetened applesauce; and, 1c toasted chopped walnuts and 1c dark choc chips. I made four breads this week. I like to have this bread on hand, so leave one out to eat and slice and freeze the rest.
i got a domed top… it’s cracked, though so it kind of has a ~rustic~ look. i used a 25cmx11cm loaf pan. it’s SO GOOD
yah for rustic domed tops! this is my FAVORITE banana bread ever. thanks for commenting :)
I think I’m sold. I messed up a batch (put the sugar in with the dry ingredients and scooped as much as I could out but didn’t get all of it, underbaked it slightly and had to cut off a lil of the top that was raw) and it was still the best banana bread I’ve ever had.
Batch number two is in the oven now, hopefully the bananas aren’t too overripe! You know it’s time when the liquid is separating from them…
Future batches might include some of the baking soda/baking powder options mentioned here for that nice dome- I’ll see how this one goes, though.
I’ve made this recipe several times already using different varieties of bananas. Perfectly light and super moist every time. Even better the next day, no crumbs at all. I used a square pan and baked for 55 minutes. Thanks for posting this recipe and most importantly for indicating the weight of bananas as bananas vary in size. Thanks!
What did I do wrong? Standard bread pan(glass) and mixture went over the edges. Havent had a chance to eat it yet…
hi laurie,
how big is your pan? i’ve never made this in a glass pan but that shouldn’t make it overflow. how far up did the batter come in the pan?
This is the first time I have posted after trying a recipe but I think this is the best banana loaf I have had. The key is the lightness. I did use 2 tsp baking powder and 1/2 tsp baking soda to get that nice dome. Amazing.
can i use coconut oil? i tend to use it in all baking asking for oil.
lovelovelove banana bread & plan to make this as soon as my bananas
are overripe enough. thank youE
hi! yes you can use coconut oil :)
thank you… i am making it in 2 days, ( bananas still not ripe enough). if i use a 8×4 pan, how long do you think it will take?
stephanie,
i just put my banana bread in the oven. i used coconut oil, used ‘lite’ sourcreme, 1/2 wht 1/2 lite brwn sugar & my bananas were a good med.size., & i used 4. mixed some in w/the batter, folded in small chunks of banana. i also put in chopped walnuts & swirled ‘nutela’ thru out.. then it went in the oven. CAN’T WAIT!
oops! forgot to mention i made it in a 8×4 pan..
my banana loaf was very good in taste..however, i think i overdidit w/the bananas. next time i will use less bananas (i used over 2 cups). i did like the nutela, but i again think i used too much. next time, less bananas & less, if any nutela.
Great recipe key part is beat eggs and sugar enough and drizzle oil in slowly very slowly and allow to it to emulsified ~ made muffins, smaller loaves sometimes the middle takes awhile to bake and like brownies you have to know the sweet spot baked enough but not too much ~
what degree oven & how long to make muffins from this recipe do you recommend? thank you
made this again yesterday..no nutella no nuts. i used white whole wheat & light brown sugar. THE BEST EVER! i will never try another banana bread recipe again. thank u very much
Best recipe. Very moist cake. I use a brownie pan and it bakes in 50 mins.