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Cozy Brown Butter Banana Bread with Easy Toasted Walnuts

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This brown butter banana bread with toasted walnuts is comfort food reimagined—a little richer, a little nuttier, with the same soul-soothing satisfaction you remember from childhood. Perfect for impressing guests without stress, or turning a simple Tuesday into something memorable.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1/2 cup (113 grams) unsalted butter
  • 3 medium ripe bananas (about 1 1/2 cups mashed, 340 grams)
  • 3/4 cup (150 grams) granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg, at room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 cups (190 grams) all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
  • 1/2 cup (60 grams) chopped walnuts, plus extra for topping

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Position the rack in the center of the oven. Line a 9×5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang on the two long sides.
  2. Toast the walnuts: Spread the chopped walnuts on a small baking sheet and bake for 5-7 minutes until fragrant and slightly darker. Set aside to cool.
  3. Brown the butter: Place the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Melt completely, then swirl occasionally. After 4-5 minutes, when the butter foams and brown specks appear at the bottom, remove from heat and pour into a heatproof bowl to stop cooking.
  4. Mash the bananas in a large bowl with a fork until mostly smooth with a few small lumps. Measure out 1 1/2 cups.
  5. Mix the wet ingredients: Add the browned butter (cooled slightly), granulated sugar, egg, and vanilla extract to the mashed bananas. Whisk until smooth and glossy.
  6. Combine the dry ingredients in a separate medium bowl: whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
  7. Fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients using a rubber spatula, just until no streaks of flour remain. Do not overmix.
  8. Gently fold in the toasted walnuts, reserving about 2 tablespoons for the top.
  9. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and spread evenly. Sprinkle the reserved walnuts on top, pressing them in gently.
  10. Bake for 50-60 minutes, starting to check at 50 minutes with a toothpick (should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs). If the top browns too quickly, tent with foil after 40 minutes.
  11. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then lift out using the parchment overhang onto a cooling rack. Cool completely before slicing (about 1 hour).

Notes

Don’t skip browning the butter—it adds a nutty, caramelized depth. Use overripe bananas for best sweetness and flavor. Measure flour correctly by spooning and leveling. Let the bread cool completely before slicing to avoid crumbling. The bread tastes even better on day two as flavors meld.

Nutrition

Keywords: brown butter banana bread, toasted walnut banana bread, easy banana bread, comfort food, fall baking, banana bread recipe

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