Description
A moist, flavorful banana bread recipe featuring toasted walnuts and a hint of espresso powder for depth. This easy-to-make loaf is perfect for breakfast or brunch and freezes beautifully.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 medium ripe bananas (about 1 ½ cups mashed)
- ½ cup (115g) unsalted butter, melted
- ¾ cup (150g) granulated sugar
- ½ cup (100g) packed brown sugar
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups (190g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon espresso powder
- 1 cup (100g) raw walnut halves
- 1 tablespoon butter (for toasting walnuts)
- Pinch of salt (for toasting walnuts)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5 inch loaf pan with butter or non-stick spray.
- Heat a small skillet over medium heat. Add walnuts and 1 tablespoon butter. Toast for 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently, until fragrant and lightly golden. Remove from heat, sprinkle with a pinch of salt, cool completely, and chop roughly.
- In a large mixing bowl, mash the ripe bananas until smooth.
- Add melted butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar to the bananas. Stir until combined.
- Add eggs and vanilla extract. Whisk until the mixture is smooth and slightly frothy.
- In a separate medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, and espresso powder.
- Pour dry ingredients into wet ingredients. Gently fold together with a spatula until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Fold in the toasted, chopped walnuts, reserving a small handful for the top if desired.
- Pour batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top.
- Bake for 50-60 minutes. If the top browns too quickly, tent with aluminum foil after 30 minutes. The bread is done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.
Notes
Use very ripe, black-spotted bananas for maximum sweetness and moisture. Toasting the walnuts is crucial for flavor and texture. Do not overmix the batter to avoid dense bread. The bread can be frozen for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50-60 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 14
- Sodium: 180
- Fat: 11
- Saturated Fat: 4
- Carbohydrates: 28
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 4
Keywords: banana bread, toasted walnuts, breakfast recipe, easy baking, moist banana bread, walnut bread, homemade bread