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The Perfect Brown Butter Banana Bread with Toasted Walnuts

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This brown butter banana bread with toasted walnuts is a game-changer. The nutty, caramel-like richness of browned butter and the crunch of toasted walnuts elevate this classic recipe to new heights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick or 113 grams) unsalted butter
  • 3 medium very ripe bananas (about 1 1/2 cups mashed or 340 grams)
  • 3/4 cup (150 grams) granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg, at room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 cups (180 grams) all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
  • 1/2 cup (60 grams) walnuts, roughly chopped
  • Flaky sea salt for topping (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Position the rack in the middle. Line your 9×5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang on the long sides.
  2. Toast the walnuts: Spread the chopped walnuts on a baking sheet and toast for 5-7 minutes, shaking the pan halfway through. Set aside to cool.
  3. Brown the butter: Place the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir constantly until the butter melts, foams, and turns golden with brown specks at the bottom, about 4-6 minutes. Remove from heat immediately and pour into a heatproof bowl. Let cool for 5-10 minutes.
  4. Mash the bananas: In a large mixing bowl, mash the bananas with a fork or potato masher until mostly smooth. You should have about 1 1/2 cups.
  5. Mix the wet ingredients: Add the sugar, egg, and vanilla extract to the mashed bananas. Stir until well combined. Pour in the cooled brown butter and mix until smooth and glossy.
  6. Combine the dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
  7. Fold everything together: Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Fold gently with a rubber spatula until just combined. Fold in the toasted walnuts, reserving a handful for topping.
  8. Pour and top: Scrape the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Spread evenly. Sprinkle the reserved walnuts on top, pressing them gently into the batter. If using, sprinkle flaky sea salt over the top.
  9. Bake: Place the pan in the oven and bake for 50-60 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs. If the top browns too quickly, tent with foil after 40 minutes.
  10. Cool completely: Let the bread cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then use the parchment handles to lift it out. Transfer to a cooling rack and cool completely before slicing.

Notes

Watch the butter carefully while browning; it can go from perfect to burnt in about 30 seconds. Use room temperature eggs to prevent the brown butter from seizing. Do not overmix the batter. For best results, use very ripe bananas with brown spots. The bread tastes even better on day two.

Nutrition

Keywords: brown butter banana bread, toasted walnut banana bread, easy banana bread, homemade banana bread, banana bread recipe

Find it online: https://milacook.com/the-perfect-brown-butter-banana-bread-with-toasted-walnuts/