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Perfect One-Bowl Brown Butter Banana Bread with Walnuts

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This one-bowl banana bread features nutty brown butter and crunchy walnuts for a deeply flavorful, moist loaf that comes together with minimal cleanup. It’s simple enough for a weekday morning but special enough for brunch.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick or 113 grams) unsalted butter
  • 3 medium overripe bananas (about 1 1/2 cups mashed or 340 grams)
  • 1/2 cup (100 grams) granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup packed (100 grams) light brown sugar
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup (60 grams) plain yogurt or sour cream
  • 1 1/2 cups (190 grams) all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 cup (60 grams) chopped walnuts, plus extra for topping

Instructions

  1. Brown the butter: Place the butter in a light-colored saucepan over medium heat. Stir occasionally as it melts. It will foam and bubble. After about 5-7 minutes, golden brown specks form at the bottom and it smells nutty. Remove from heat immediately and pour into a mixing bowl to stop cooking. Let cool for 5 minutes.
  2. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Position rack in center.
  3. Prepare loaf pan: Line a 9×5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang on long sides. Lightly grease exposed ends with butter or cooking spray.
  4. Mix sugars and egg: To the bowl with cooled brown butter, add granulated sugar, brown sugar, and egg. Whisk vigorously for about 30 seconds until smooth and slightly thickened.
  5. Add wet ingredients: Whisk in vanilla extract and yogurt (or sour cream) until combined. Mixture may look slightly separated.
  6. Mash and add bananas: In a small bowl, mash bananas with a fork until mostly smooth with a few lumps. Fold into butter mixture with a spatula. Batter may look curdled.
  7. Mix dry ingredients: Add flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon directly on top of wet mixture. Stir gently with spatula until just combined. Fold in chopped walnuts.
  8. Pour and top: Scrape batter into prepared loaf pan and spread even. Sprinkle extra walnuts on top, pressing in gently.
  9. Bake: Place pan in preheated oven and bake for 50-60 minutes. Start checking at 50 minutes by inserting a toothpick into center. If it comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs, it’s done. Top should be deep golden brown and cracked.
  10. Cool properly: Let bread cool in pan for 10 minutes. Use parchment paper to lift out and transfer to a wire rack. Cool completely before slicing, about 1 hour.

Notes

Don’t rush the brown butter; keep heat at medium and stir constantly. Room temperature ingredients matter for proper incorporation. Measure flour correctly by spooning and leveling. Check doneness with a thermometer (internal temp 200-205°F) for best results. Let cool completely before slicing to avoid gummy texture.

Nutrition

Keywords: banana bread, brown butter, walnuts, one bowl, easy banana bread, moist banana bread

Find it online: https://zoeplate.com/perfect-one-bowl-brown-butter-banana-bread-with-walnuts/