This is slap yo’ mama good. That’s right, I said it!
Buttery, sugary, crunchy, and not even close to good for you. What else could you want in a banana bread?
This will be the best thing I can get you for a step-by-step on this fabulous recipe, so bear with me, ok?
Banana Walnut Bread
(based on the Best Banana Bread recipe by America’s Test Kitchen)
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2/3 cup of sugar + 1/4 extra for the topping
- 3/4 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp salt
- 4 very VERY ripe bananas
- 6 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted and cooled
- 2 eggs
- 1/4 cup plain yogurt
- 1 Tbsp vanilla
- 3/4 cup raw walnuts
Step one: get some alcohol. Beer, wine, margarita, mixed beverage. Whatever. Trust me…unless it’s before noon. Then it might be best to do a mimosa. The juice makes it acceptable 🙂
After approximately 3 sips, you’ll need to melt 6 Tablespoons of butter in the microwave and then set it out to cool a bit. You’ll also want to mash up the bananas and let them sit for a few minutes while you assemble the rest of the ingredients. I find that by doing this it allows the sugars to release and makes a less chunky banana bread. I’m not a fan of chunks in there. While you’re at it go ahead and preheat the oven to 325.
Once the butter is cooled, add the butter, sugar, and mashed bananas in a mixing bowl. Don’t worry about mixing just yet, there’s more to come!
I used this Chobani Greek yogurt in lieu of the fat-free the original recipe called for:
Just dump the yogurt in there with the butter/sugar/banana:
I used 1 Tablespoon of vanilla because I love the stuff 😉
Add in 2 eggs:
So pretty, isn’t it?! Once you have all the wet ingredients (and these are all the wets ingredients) mix well until everything is combined.
Meanwhile, sift together the flour, the baking soda, and the salt in a separate bowl. With the mixer on low, combine the dry and wet ingredients until just combined.
After everything is combined, stop the mixer and butter and flour the 9 x 5 pan. This is super important if you want the cake to release out of the pan. But, you know, if you just want to take a fork to it when it’s done that works too 🙂
Mmmmmmmmm batter…
After you’ve poured the batter into a floured pan, take 3/4 cup of walnuts and chop coarsely:
In a small pan over very low heat, combine 1/4 cup of sugar and 1 Tablespoon of butter. Once the mixture starts to boil and the sugar dissolves, remove from the heat and stir in the walnuts. Then immediately pour the mixture on top of the batter. Trust me. This makes all the difference in the world!
Bake at 325 for 1 hour and 5 minutes, or until browned on top and a knife inserted comes out clean. Let cool for 20-30 minutes, then remove from the pan, slice, and serve.
OH.
MY.
GOODNESS.
The sugar syrup gets crunchy and the walnuts have their normal, buttery, amazing flavor. Served with a small pat of butter and you could very likely die of happiness.
It’s dangerous, this banana bread! Take caution 😉
ALSO the winner of the Chocolate Indulgence giveaway from Stonyfield is:
Congratulations Cher! Email me your address and phone number so Stonyfield can send your prize out ASAP!
Can you please post the Sugar free Banana recipe?
Hey Susan! Here’s the link: https://www.heatherdisarro.com/no-sugar-added-banana-bread/
this is making me drool!
I made this last night and couldn’t wait to try it this morning! I substituted coconut oil for the butter and left the toping off. It was amazing! So simple and pretty healthy!
Yum! I love the sub with coconut oil – so glad you liked it!
I know this is SUPER late to the party, but man! I just finished making this with only one slight change. Instead of melting the butter, I took it a step further and browned it. Goodness gracious. heavenly!! It adds a bit of a caramel taste, with a hint of “hmm, what’s her secret ingredient?”. Basically, best. banana bread. ever. Thank you!
never too late when you’re adding brown butter! 😉
HO-LY MO-LY. I just made this. It’s amazing. Thanks for the recipe!
yay! i’m so glad you liked it 🙂
Heather, thanks for this recipe, my bread turned out fabulous. I used some pumpkin spice almonds on top. Love step one but I’ll have to make this bread again soon, today I made it at right before I needed to pick my kids up from school! Maybe I could have a drink while I enjoy a slice yet tonight. Thanks again for your recipes!
Heather.. this bread is baking in my kitchen right now and even though it’s SO hot in here I can’t leave because it smells too good.
Haha, you had me at Step One! Actually, you had me at buttery, sugary, and crunchy, but still. I’ll definitely be making this soon!
This is going on my must-make list right now. My husband will be so happy 🙂
I just put 3 large bananas in the freezer and told my family I would make banana bread soon. I’m using this recipe because I really like step 1 😉
“This is slap yo’ mama good.” <- any post that starts like that HAS to be awesome… 😉
This lived up to all expectations (see above statement)….can I come steal a slice?!
Also, Wednesday Farmer's Market pizza/brew date??
America’s Test Kitchen rocks my socks off! I just posted one of their brownie recipes from the Family Cookbook. Everything in there is RIDICULOUS!
That bread looks slap yo’ daddy good…not slap yo’ mama. Just thought I’d clear that up.
This looks seriously decadent. I love the walnut topping but might have to try it with pecans. Yummmy!!!!
Girl, you are making my day with this recipe. I love that it’s a twist on banana bread, not the one our moms make.
And I appreciate the details. Too often recipes leave out little things that make a huge diff in taste and texture.
Mmmm 🙂
This really looks yummy. And I have to ask about the Chocolate Stout. Is it good? I’ve never had it!
hey angie! it’s actually really good! i prefer stouts and porters when drinking beer, so i truly enjoyed this. i can’t say i picked out a distinct chocolate FLAVOR but it definitely had some of the nuttiness in chocolate that came through!
I busted out laughing with your intro statement! LOL And I gotta say I love the drink requirement for the recipe. 😉
That looks insanely good!
Haha, I have a cookbook called “So Good, Make You Wanna Slap Yo Mama!” This looks like it could definitely go in there!
Drool-worthy, without a doubt.
oh man, I recently discovered the joys of chocolate stout…. it was at a cupcake and wine/beer pairing of all places 🙂
Those walnuts totally make that bread! It looks like something I’d find in a country store 🙂 YUM!
I love banana bread. I need to make this, but not until after my upcoming vacation.
I just drooled all over my desk.
Ohhhh myyyyyy.
walnuts makes the bread, looks great
That sounds SO good. I want some now! The candied walnuts have me drooling.
Looks delicious!!
By the way, I hope to be your neighbor soon. I’m obsessed with Lyons & Boulder and am trying everything in my power to convince the Husband that we need to move there. STAT.
Looks yummy! I have some lonely bananas calling my name, hmmm! 😉 Thanks for sharing!!
This looks great! yum!!