Easy Banana Bread Recipe

Stack of banana bread slices on a white plate.

This Easy Banana Bread Recipe is the absolute BEST! It is moist, packed with bananas, sweetened with brown sugar, and baked in a cake pan for even and quick cooking. No mixer needed, grab a bowl and whisk, this bread is ready in under 30 minutes.

Course Breakfast, Dessert

Cuisine American

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 25

Total Time 32

Servings small (or 9 larger servings)

Calories 212kcal

Author Allison - Celebrating Sweets

Ingredients

½ cup unsalted butter melted and cooled slightly
⅔ cup packed light brown sugar make sure it is fresh and soft
2 large eggs
2 scant cups mashed very ripe bananas about 3-4 bananas
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 ¾ cups all purpose flour*
1 teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ cup brown sugar (or more, if desired) for topping

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F.
In a large bowl, whisk melted butter and ⅔ cup brown sugar until well combined, about 1 minute. Add eggs, mashed banana, and vanilla, whisking until combined.
In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking soda and salt. Add dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and use a rubber spatula to lightly stir the batter until no streaks of flour remain. Be careful not to over mix.
Grease a 9x9 square baking pan and add the batter to the pan. Smooth into an even layer. Sprinkle the top of the batter with ¼ cup (or more) brown sugar. Bake for 20-25 minutes, rotating once during the bake time. The bread is done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Place on a wire rack to cool.

Video

Notes

FLOUR: Fluff the flour several times with your measuring cup, lightly scoop a heaping portion and level it off. If you'd like to add some whole wheat flour, I have successfully used 1 cup all purpose flour along with ¾ cup whole wheat flour.

PAN SIZES: The recipe instructions are for a 9x9 square pan (my preference), but you can also use the following:

Muffins: Divide batter between 12 greased muffin cups, adjust bake time to about 15 minutes (or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean).
8x8 square: Adjust bake time to 35-45 minutes (or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean).
Loaf pan (9x5): Adjust bake time to 45-55 minutes (or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean).

Nutrition