Brown Butter Banana Bread

Content… What Brown Butter Does Ingredients How to Make It Recipe Tips Make-Ahead and Storage Instructions What to Serve More Dessert Recipes to Go Bananas For

What Brown Butter Does For Banana Bread

This isn’t your grandma’s recipe—it’s the glow-up your overripe bananas have been waiting for. While regular banana bread is delish, this version is a full-on main-character moment. The secret lies in brown butter, that nutty, golden magic that elevates this classic from basic to bold. Paired with the bananas’ natural sweetness and the right touch of spice, you’ve got a bread that deserves a standing ovation.

Recipe Ingredients

1. Butter – Browned to perfection, butter adds nutty richness and enhances the overall flavor and moisture.
2. Eggs – The glue that holds it together! Eggs provide the structure that creates a tender, fluffy texture.
3. Sugar – A dynamic duo: brown sugar adds a caramel-like depth, while white sugar sweetens.
4. Bananas – The star of the show, mashed overripe bananas add natural sweetness, moisture, and that signature banana flavor.
5. Sour Cream – The secret weapon for ultra-moist bread, sour cream also adds a slight tang for balance.
6. Flour is the foundation of the bread for structure, while added baking soda and powder ensure it rises perfectly.
7. Spices – Cinnamon and nutmeg bring warmth, salt enhances all the flavors, and vanilla adds a sweet, aromatic touch.

How to Make Brown Butter Banana Bread

Prep Brown Butter

• Brown – Place the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Let it melt and continue cooking, occasionally swirling the pan until the butter becomes golden brown and smells beautifully nutty (5-7 minutes). Be careful not to burn it.
• Cool – Remove from heat, pour into a heatproof bowl, and let it cool slightly (5-10 minutes).
• Preheat oven to 350℉ (180℃). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan with baking spray. Set aside.

Make the Banana Bread

• Wet Ingredients – In a large mixing bowl, whisk the mashed bananas, brown sugar, granulated sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, and sour cream.
• Browned Butter – Slowly whisk in the slightly cooled brown butter until well combined.
• Dry Ingredients – Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt in another bowl.
• Combine – Add dry ingredients in three batches to the wet ingredients, gently folding between additions until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
• Bake – Pour mixture into the prepared loaf pan and top with sliced banana. Bake for 55-65 minutes (checking at around 50 minutes for doneness) until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
• Cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then, transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.

Tips and Tricks

1. No sour cream on hand? Greek yogurt, plain yogurt, or buttermilk work great.
2. While you can substitute the all-purpose flour with cake or wheat flour, the texture will be slightly different.
3. Use overripe bananas. The riper your bananas, the sweeter and more flavorful the bread.
4. Customize it. Add a swirl of peanut butter or Nutella for a decadent twist. 🥜 And browned banana bread with chocolate chips is amazing.
5. Crunchy top. Sprinkle coarse sugar or turbinado sugar before baking.
6. Test doneness early. Oven times vary, so start checking at 50 minutes. ⏲️

Make-Ahead and Storage Instructions

Banana bread usually tastes better the next day, so make it ahead for the perfect time saver. Wrap the entire loaf or individual slices tightly in plastic, then aluminum foil, or place in a freezer-safe bag. It freezes nicely for 3-5 months and lasts in the fridge for up to a week and 3 days at room temperature. Thaw your bread overnight in the refrigerator or at room temperature for a few hours.

Let slices come to room temperature before serving, or microwave for 10-15 seconds for a freshly baked feel. 😋

What to Enjoy With Brown Butter Banana Bread

While banana bread is great on its own with a cup of steaming hot coffee or pumpkin spice latte, there are things it loves to be with. Toast a slice and slather it with strawberry butter or cream cheese dip. I made a strawberry shortcake using banana bread instead of the shortcake and it disappeared in minutes.

More Dessert Recipes to Go Bananas For

1. Banana Fritters
2. Fried Bananas
3. Banana Pudding Cheesecake
4. Ambrosia Salad
5. Banana Bundt Cake
6. Crazy Good Banana Recipes

By Imma