Name: Old Fashioned Banana Bread Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 1 h
Total time: 1 h 10 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3 bananas, mashed; 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened; 1 cup granulated sugar; 2 large eggs; 1 teaspoon; 1 1/2 cups; 1 teaspoon; 1/2 teaspoon; 1/2 cup chopped walnuts

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There’s something downright magical about the aroma of Old Fashioned Banana Bread wafting through a cozy kitchen. This recipe is the kind you’ll cherish—whether you grew up with it or are discovering its charm for the first time. Perfectly sweet, moist, and comforting, the golden loaf is studded with ripe banana flavor and (if you like!) buttery walnuts, making it the ideal treat for breakfast, snack time, or whenever you crave a bite of nostalgia.

Old Fashioned Banana Bread Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Every great Old Fashioned Banana Bread starts with simple pantry staples. Each ingredient plays an important role: some add texture, others lend sweetness, and a few contribute that heavenly scent that draws everyone to the kitchen.

Ripe Bananas (3, mashed): The riper, the better—their natural sugars bring deeply sweet, fruity flavor and extra moisture.
Unsalted Butter (1/2 cup, softened): Provides rich, tender crumb and a velvety texture.
Granulated Sugar (1 cup): Sweetens the loaf and helps create a lovely crust.
Large Eggs (2): Bind the batter and add structure for a sliceable loaf.
Vanilla Extract (1 teaspoon): Enhances both the banana flavor and overall aroma.
All-Purpose Flour (1 1/2 cups): Gives substance and forms the backbone of the bread.
Baking Soda (1 teaspoon): The rising agent that ensures a beautifully domed bread.
Salt (1/2 teaspoon): Balances sweetness and brightens flavors.
Chopped Walnuts (1/2 cup, optional): Lend crunch and a toasty note—totally optional but absolutely delightful.

How to Make Old Fashioned Banana Bread

Step 1: Prepare Your Pan and Oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C), making sure your rack is centered. Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper—this simple step makes unmolding a breeze and keeps that golden crust intact.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar

In a large mixing bowl, use a hand mixer or sturdy spoon to cream together the softened butter and sugar until the mixture is noticeably lighter in color and fluffy in texture. This step adds air, giving Old Fashioned Banana Bread its gorgeous crumb.

Step 3: Add Eggs, Bananas, and Vanilla

Beat in the eggs one at a time, fully incorporating after each addition for a silky batter. Next, mix in the mashed bananas and vanilla extract. The mixture will appear a bit lumpy at this stage, which is perfectly normal—it’s the sign of a truly classic banana bread.

Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Whisking aerates the flour and ensures your baking soda and salt are evenly dispersed, which means every bite will rise and taste just right.

Step 5: Bring It All Together

Gradually add your dry ingredients to the wet banana mixture, stirring gently just until no streaks of flour remain. Overmixing is the enemy of tender bread, so a few small lumps are just fine. If you like, gently fold in chopped walnuts for delightful texture and flavor.

Step 6: Bake the Banana Bread

Pour the luscious batter into your prepared loaf pan, smoothing the top with a spatula. For an extra-special touch, sprinkle a bit of sugar on top. Bake for 55 to 65 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs attached. Your kitchen will smell like heaven.

Step 7: Cool and Enjoy

Allow your Old Fashioned Banana Bread to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then gently turn it out onto a wire rack to cool completely. This patience guarantees easy slicing and the perfect texture.

How to Serve Old Fashioned Banana Bread

Garnishes

A classic slice is always lovely on its own, but a pat of creamy butter or a dusting of powdered sugar can send it over the top. Try a drizzle of honey or maple syrup for added sweetness, or a dollop of whipped cream for special occasions.

Side Dishes

Pair your Old Fashioned Banana Bread with a steaming mug of coffee or cold glass of milk for pure comfort. For a brunch buffet, serve with fresh fruit, yogurt, and soft scrambled eggs to balance the sweet, moist goodness of the loaf.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, cut banana bread into mini squares and serve on a dessert platter. You can also toast a slice and spread with nut butter for a hearty snack, or use it as the base for a playful bread pudding or trifle—banana on banana is always a hit!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

To keep your Old Fashioned Banana Bread moist and flavorful, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or foil once fully cooled. Store it at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for up to a week. Each slice tastes just as fresh as the day it was baked.

Freezing

Banana bread freezes like a dream. Wrap individual slices (or the whole loaf) in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature or gently warm in the oven before serving for an almost-fresh taste any time.

Reheating

To recapture that just-baked aroma, warm slices in a toaster oven or microwave for a few seconds. A quick reheat revives the texture and enhances the flavors—especially the banana richness you love in Old Fashioned Banana Bread.

FAQs

How ripe should my bananas be for banana bread?

The best bananas are deeply speckled or even fully brown on the outside—the riper, the sweeter. Overripe bananas mash easily and provide intense flavor and moisture in Old Fashioned Banana Bread.

Can I add chocolate chips or other mix-ins?

Absolutely! Feel free to swap the walnuts for chocolate chips, dried fruit, or even swirl in a bit of peanut butter for a twist. Just keep the total mix-in quantity under 3/4 cup to retain the bread’s classic texture.

My bread came out dry. What happened?

Dry banana bread can result from overbaking or overmixing the batter. Always start checking around the 55-minute mark and stop mixing as soon as the flour disappears into the batter.

Is this recipe suitable for muffins?

Yes! Spoon the batter into a greased or lined muffin tin (about 2/3 full) and bake at 350°F for 20 to 25 minutes. You’ll end up with wonderfully moist Old Fashioned Banana Bread muffins—perfect for grab-and-go breakfasts.

Can I make this recipe dairy-free?

Certainly. Use a plant-based butter or coconut oil in place of the unsalted butter. Your banana bread will remain soft, flavorful, and satisfying.

Final Thoughts

There’s nothing quite like sharing a warm, fragrant loaf of Old Fashioned Banana Bread with the people you love—or sneaking a secret slice for yourself! Give this recipe a try and let every bite remind you why the classics never go out of style.

Old Fashioned Banana Bread Recipe

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4.5 from 9 reviews

Author: Emma
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Yield: 1 loaf (8 to 10 slices) 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Enjoy the nostalgia of homemade banana bread with this classic Old Fashioned Banana Bread recipe. Moist, flavorful, and perfect for breakfast or a snack.

Ingredients

Scale

Ripe Bananas:

3 bananas, mashed

Butter:

1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened

Sugar:

1 cup granulated sugar

Eggs:

2 large eggs

Vanilla Extract:

1 teaspoon

All-Purpose Flour:

1 1/2 cups

Baking Soda:

1 teaspoon

Salt:

1/2 teaspoon

Walnuts (Optional):

1/2 cup chopped walnuts

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Instructions

Preheat the Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F and prepare a 9×5-inch loaf pan.
Cream Butter and Sugar: In a bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
Add Eggs and Bananas: Beat in eggs one at a time, then mix in mashed bananas and vanilla extract.
Combine Dry Ingredients: In another bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add to the wet mixture.
Add Walnuts: Fold in chopped walnuts if desired.
Bake: Pour batter into the pan, smooth the top, and bake for 55-65 minutes.
Cool and Serve: Let the bread cool before slicing and serving.