I know you’ve been searching, just as I have, for the perfect banana bread recipe. There are breads out there that use chocolate chips, various nuts, pumpkin, bacon, and all kinds of other wonderful things to add to banana bread. I have enjoyed many of them!
Read: This week’s column on Tom Petty and the weird but delicious 🍔 sliders 🍔💖
However, I once had the pleasure of watching Hugh Jackman visit Martha Stewart on a replay of her show on tv, and, as handsome and charming as he is, I was distracted by the banana bread.
<<<<br<br
rendy additions. No unusual techniques or fancy names. It was just banana bread.
Since I had a bunch of bananas my sons never bothered to eat this week, and which were nicely spotty and ripe, I decided to throw caution to the wind and just be…simple.
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ed with the results. This is the best banana bread I’ve ever eaten! The best tip: use butter instead of oil in your breads. I am with Martha on this one from now on. It has a lighter, though still dense and moist, texture, and the flavor is much better. I was shocked at the difference.
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p.s. She said butter, not margarine. I can’t vouch for your results if you use a stick of chemicals….er, I mean margarine. 😉
<<<<br<br
in and simple truth… this is the
Perfect banana bread<<<<br<br
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, at room temperature, plus more for pan
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 1/2 cups unbleached plain flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup mashed very ripe bananas (about 3)
- 1/2 cup sour cream (I used Fat Free Greek yogurt)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional; I didn’t use them)
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter a 9-by-5-by-3-inch loaf pan; set aside. In an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, and beat to incorporate.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. Add to the butter mixture, and mix until just combined. Add bananas, sour cream, and vanilla; mix to combine. Stir in nuts, and pour into prepared pan.
- Bake until a cake tester inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean, about 1 hour 10 minutes. Let rest in pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a rack to cool.Recipe © 2012 Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. All rights reserved.I used Greek yogurt simply because it was what I had on hand; no sour cream. I would continue to do so, as it cuts out fat calories and the result is the same. In fact, I have often thought that Greek yogurt is a great substitute for sour cream, and I don’t think most people would know the difference if you put it on their baked potato, even, as it is so similar. Just healthier for you!I also used a spritz of Baker’s Joy cooking spray, as it works perfectly and you don’t have to do all that messy butter spreading in the pan. That’s just my opinion, and you can certainly use butter to grease your loaf pan if you like. 🙂
I hope you enjoy this bread as much as I did; my boys had it for breakfast, and they went back for seconds, eating it with a tall glass of cold milk in hand. That made this mama very happy.
Check out one of my latest posts: 4-ingredient cinnamon-peach biscuits! So easy, and so delicious. < strong>Perfect fall dessert: Fruit and nut-stuffed baked apples – simple, rustic and delicious!< a title=”In the Kitchen with Mama Steph” href=”http://www.kltv.com/category/209490/in-the-kitchen-with-mama-steph” target=”_blank”>See more recipes from my cooking segment, In the Kitchen with Mama Steph, on KLTV-7 and KTRE-9 in East Texas!
I invite you to join me on my Facebook page, as well, for recipes, conversation, inspiration, with a few laughs along the way!< a href=”www.facebook.com/mamastephon7″ target=”_blank”>Enjoy!< em>Copyright 2012 Stephanie Hill-Frazier. All rights reserved.
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[…] by Martha Stewart’s ‘perfect banana bread’ recipe which I found on Pinterest at In Mama Steph’s Kitchen. I made small substitutions to make the recipe a little bit healthier, and added organic […]
It is the best! I added a little bit of cinnamon and nutmeg for those yummy fall flavors, was delicious!
So glad you liked it, too, Nikki! It’s a great recipe to have handy all fall. And I am a fan of sneaking in more spices wherever I can, too! 🙂
lovely recipe.. I made it few days back.. turned out yumm.. 🙂
I’m happy it turned out well for you! 🙂
Amazing! I’ve made quiet a few bb in my time and none have been this easy or as tasty. I am going to use muffin cups for my next time. I have finally found my go too forever bb recipe. Thanks so much.
I’m so glad you love it, too, Len! That’s why I had to share it. So good. 🙂
Your recipe calls for 1/2 a cup (1 stick) of butter. However 1 stick of butter is 1/4 cup. Which is correct?
Nevermind – I use 1/2 sticks of butter! 🙂
Haha…yes, I think Land o’ Lakes packages in the half sticks, so I can see why that threw you off for a sec. 🙂 Enjoy! It’s a great recipe!
Rats, I just saw this. I used a whole stick and just put it in the oven.
A stick is correct, Misty. A stick of butter is a half cup. It’s just that a few brands do 1/4 cup sticks, but this recipe calls for 1/2 cup.
I have this in the oven right now. I used diced organic strawberries in place walnuts. Excited to see how it turns out
That sounds amazing, Ashley! Great idea! How’d it turn out?
I’m going to say it was a huge success since my family devoured it before I had a slice and asked when I was making it again lol.
Oooo! That sounds yummy. I’ll have to try to make it that way too. I just made the original recipe and it was great! I threw a few mini-chocolate chips in it instead of the nuts and it was lovely. Huge hit, definitely my go-to from now on.
Can you use all purpose flour?
Hi Trisha,
Yes, all purpose = plain. Just don’t use self-rising. Hope you like it!
The banana bread turned out beautifully and moist, the oven temp is a bit hot so I turned down to 150. Thanks for the recipe 🙂
You are most welcome, Rachel! I’m happy to hear it!
i’ve been making this recipe since it came out in MS magazine (there was also a coconut lime one in the same article that’s quite good) and this has become my go to standard recipe. i’ve tried a LOT and i love this one… i add just a splash of lemon juice and other than that, i stick to the recipe…. one tip for you, if you want even more buttery, rich flavor bake it with European/French or Irish butter…. sublime. the sour cream/yogurt is the ticket, don’t you think?
Hello- quick question, do I use salted or unsalted butter? Last time I made banana bread I used salted butter & it tasted very salty! Thanks 🙂
Hi Cristina, typically I don’t use salted butter, except in a pinch. 🙂
So yummy! I made it without the sour cream only because I had none and it still turned out moist and delicious! Will try with Greek yogurt next time!
I’m glad you liked it, too, Nicole! 🙂 Greek yogurt would be a great addition.
I’ve been searching for the perfect banana bread with a nice flat top, and your pictures look like this is the one! 😀 Can’t wait to try it!
Keep me posted; would love to know how you like it. 🙂
I cannot eat wheat and was craving banana bread and thought I would try this recipe and substitute the flour, baking soda and salt for 1 1/2 cps of the gluten free bisquick and it was AMAZING!!! All the kids and I ate a whole loaf in one day. Spread the word this can be made gluten free friendly and its nice and dense and fluffy.. something us non wheat eaters miss a lot. 🙂
Can I substitute pumpkin in place of banana?
I’ve never tried that, honestly. I use this pumpkin bread recipe: https://inmamastephskitchen.com/2013/12/18/practically-perfect-cranberry-pumpkin-bread/
If you try it either way, let me know how it turns out. 🙂
Going to try making this with vanilla Greek yogurt and omit the vanilla. I really don’t feel like driving to the store. Fingers crossed!!
Sounds good, Nessa! Let me know how it turns out! 🙂
I don’t have a loaf pan so I’ve only made this in muffin form and it turns out pretty well! I have some in the oven as I type, this time I made some in a mini muffin tin as well, cross your fingers it turns out!
Keep me posted, Tiana! I love that idea. 😀
[…] without further ado, here is the recipe…and a picture of it, just to tempt the […]
[…] I’ve been out of the loop for a couple weeks, between work and everything going on at home things have been crazy. A couple weekends ago I had the ever growing issue of the over-ripened bananas. This was also around when we went apple picking and let’s just say I’m still working through that bag of apples. I tried looking up recipes for and apple banana bread, but I couldn’t really find any. So I just went with a traditional banana bread and tweaked it. Adapted from Martha’s Banana Bread. […]
[…] source). The recipe I got from http://inmamastephskitchen.com but the original recipe comes from Martha Stewart. Ok I already assume I can’t do it, I mean its Martha Stewart. I keep reading, “The […]
This banana bread recipe is the best I’ve ever made hands-down!!! I’m baking some as we speak😊. I do add cinnamon because a staple in my banana bread recipes and I put a vanilla sugar glaze on top. I’ve brought this over to friends’ as housewarming treats and everyone always asks for the recipe. Thank you!
P.S. I omitted a stick of butter, subbed one egg for applesauce and added flax seed these time. I’ll let you know how it turns out!
I’d love to know how it turns out woth the changes, Cheri! How much flax seed did you add?
Great recipe. Easy and turned out moist and full of flavor. Perfect banana bread. Made it twice. Next time I will add coconut.great.
This was my first time ever making banana bread and this turned out great! Very easy recipe and absolutely delicious, this will definitely be my go to recipe in the future, thanks!
Best banana bread ever according to my husband and many friends. I add 1/3 a cup of chocolate chips. They don’t distribute that evenly, but frankly I could care less. So delicious.
Hey Amy! I’m so glad he approved. 😃 Also, running the chips through some flour before adding to the batter helps keep them suspended, just fyi. Have a great week!
[…] your way over to In Mama Steph’s Kitchen to try out this version of Martha Stewart’s banana bread recipe. I’ve also pinned it under […]
My family loves this banana bread! Every time I buy bananas I have to buy extra to set aside just for this bread. It usually only lasts a few hours before it’s all gone. They like it when I add in raisins and a teaspoon of cinnamon.
I love subbing Greek yogurt for the sour cream as well! It works fantastically. Have you tried adding cinnamon or chocolate chips?
If I bake them using smaller bread pans, what would you recommend for the temperature, and time in the oven?
Hi Shawn! I’ve not experimented with that, but I’d leave the temperature the same and test for doneness sooner. It may take a few tries with a toothpick until you get it just right! Good luck!
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This recipe almost mirrors my Great Grandmother’s (I lost my old antique recipe box she gave me with all her old recipes in it, along with 30 years of accumulated fav’s). Anyways, I have tried many recipes since and none have came close, until I found yours. Thank goodness for Pintrest. Her Banana bread had side notes to adjust the recipe to make what she called Elvis Bread Bread that was developed off her primary banana bread recipe, I’m still playing with it though. I substituted 1/4 C applesauce for 1 of the eggs and all but 3 TBS of the butter I substituted peanut butter. I also leave my bananas a little chunky. With all these changes I’ve made to the recipe, I had to add a couple extra TBS flour, and her Elvis bread was more raised so I added an extra 1/2 TSP leavening agent, for this I used baking powder so as to not have too strong of a baking soda flavor. Still playing with recipe hoping to get there one day. Thanks to your recipe though, we feel like when we have Banana bread now, it reminds us of Great Grandma. Thanks
Tammy, that makes my day! I’m so happy that you found the recipe, because there’s just nothing like family food memories. 🙂
[…] The perfect banana bread […]
This is now my go-to recipe! Love it so much. I’ve experimented with it a little – I cut back on the sugar and use vanilla or coconut greek yogurt. I love to add chocolate chips or saskatoon berries, and I always put in a dash of cinnamon. Sooooo good!
I used a single serving of the limited edition pumpkin yogurt in place of sour cream. It was gone in an hour and had to run to the store for more pumpkin yogurt. I am thinking this would be good with any fruit flavored yogurt ( that compliments bananas ) such as strawberry. And single serve yogurts (greek) are the perfect measurement, just dump it in.
Can anyone please tell me if I can take out the sugar in this recipe so I can make it for a baby?
I wouldn’t be able to substitute honey or Splenda in it but welcome any other suggestions-thank u!!!
Hi Pam! I honestly can’t answer that, since I have never tried it that way. I hope someone else can answer your question for you! 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
I made the perfect banana bread many times and it’s a winner every time. My husband wants me to make two loaf every time as one is gone so quick. Thankyou for the great recipe.
I’m so happy you are both enjoying it, Qaisra! 😃😃😃
Just tried this recipe. I added chocolate chips as well as walnuts😬 Fingers crossed 🤞. Pretty simple to put together, but I’m not usually a baker so we’ll see when it comes out.
How’d you like it with chocolate chips? Sounds amazing to me! 😊
I’ve just made the 2nd batch…the first I made muffins. It made 18 standard size muffins, baked 23 minutes. I’ve got a loaf in now so I’ll be up to 1 am till it’s done, my house smells amazing, but I’ll have to wait for breakfast to try it 😟. If they taste as good as they smell I’ll be in heaven. My mom always made a Bisquick recipe, this one is just as easy so I’d rather do this scratch recipe. Thank you…and Martha!
Used gluten free flour blend with xanthum gum ( I’m celiac) and made 12 large muffins. Thanks for the recipe. It’s so appreciated.
thankyou ,great recipe & so simple.very moist with sour cream. Thank you . Why was my top not flat.?Thats why my sides burned a bit .What did I do wrong.? I want to make again & want to make my top flat Help !!!!
Billie
Hi Billie! My first thought is that your loaf pan was narrower than mine. They are not uniform sizes. I have some that are wide and some that are narrow and long.
I just did .waiting for answer …Thanks