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Cozy Brown Butter Banana Bread with Toasted Walnuts

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This cozy brown butter banana bread with toasted walnuts is the one that gets requested every single time. The nutty, caramelized flavor from the brown butter makes it feel special, and it’s quick and easy to make.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick / 113g) unsalted butter
  • 3 medium ripe bananas, mashed (about 1 1/2 cups or 340g)
  • 3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 cups (188g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup (60g) walnut halves or pieces, roughly chopped
  • A pinch of flaky sea salt for sprinkling on top (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line your 9×5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang on the long sides. Lightly grease the exposed ends with a little butter or non-stick spray.
  2. Brown the butter: Place the 1/2 cup of unsalted butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Let it melt completely, then swirl the pan occasionally. After about 4-5 minutes, the butter will start to foam and then turn a light golden brown. You’ll see little brown specks forming at the bottom, and it will smell nutty. As soon as it turns amber and smells like toasted hazelnuts, remove it from the heat immediately. Pour it into a heat-safe bowl (including all those brown bits) and let it cool for…
  3. Toast the walnuts: While the butter cools, place the chopped walnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat. Shake the pan every 30 seconds until they’re fragrant and lightly browned, about 3-4 minutes. Set them aside to cool. You’ll use most in the batter and save a handful for the top.
  4. Mash the bananas: In your large mixing bowl, mash the three ripe bananas with a fork until mostly smooth. A few small lumps are fine. You should have about 1 1/2 cups.
  5. Mix the wet ingredients: Add the 3/4 cup sugar, the room temperature egg, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract to the mashed bananas. Whisk or stir until everything is well combined and slightly frothy. Pour in the cooled brown butter and stir until it’s fully incorporated.
  6. Combine the dry ingredients: In a separate small bowl, whisk together the 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, and 1/2 teaspoon salt.
  7. Fold it all together: Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Use a rubber spatula to fold gently—just until you no longer see streaks of flour. Do not overmix! Fold in most of the toasted walnuts, reserving about 2 tablespoons for the top.
  8. Bake: Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan and spread it even. Sprinkle the reserved walnuts on top, along with a pinch of flaky sea salt if using. Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs. If the top is browning too quickly after 40 minutes, tent it loosely with foil.
  9. Cool: Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then use the parchment overhang to lift it onto a wire rack. Let it cool completely before slicing—at least 30 minutes.

Notes

Don’t rush the brown butter. The sweet spot is when it turns the color of a new penny and smells like toasted nuts. Room temperature ingredients matter—let your egg sit out for 15 minutes. Banana ripeness is key: use heavily speckled or mostly black bananas. Check for doneness early; start checking at the 50-minute mark. Overbaking dries out the bread.

Nutrition

Keywords: brown butter banana bread, banana bread with walnuts, easy banana bread, cozy banana bread, best banana bread

Find it online: https://eliplate.com/cozy-brown-butter-banana-bread-with-toasted-walnuts-easy-and-best/