Imagine the aroma of warm, nutty butter mingling with the sweet scent of ripe bananas and toasted walnuts. That’s the magic of browned butter banana nut bread. This isn’t your average banana bread; the browned butter adds a depth of flavor that elevates this classic to a whole new level. In this article, we’ll explore the art of making browned butter, share a foolproof recipe for banana nut bread, and delve into the science behind why this combination works so well.
INGREDIENTS
- ½ cup (1 stick / 113 g) unsalted butter
- 1 ½ cups (187.5 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 4 large ripe bananas, mashed (about 2 cups)
- ¾ cup (150 g) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup chopped walnuts, divided
INSTRUCTIONS
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease an 8×4-inch loaf pan with nonstick spray.
- In a stainless steel skillet (or light-bottomed pan), melt the butter over medium-high heat. Stir occasionally. As the butter foams, watch for tiny brown specks at the bottom of the pan, which signal it’s almost browned. Keep stirring to prevent burning. When the butter turns chestnut brown and gives off a nutty aroma, remove it from the heat.
- Sift the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt into a medium bowl and set aside.
- In a large bowl, mash the bananas with a fork. You can use up to 5 regular bananas or 6 small ones for this recipe.
- Stir the browned butter, sugar, egg, and vanilla into the mashed bananas, mixing until well combined.
- Add the dry ingredients and gently mix until just incorporated. Be careful not to overmix.
- Fold in ¾ cup of the chopped walnuts.
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and top with the remaining ¼ cup walnuts.
- Bake for 35 minutes, then cover with aluminum foil. Continue baking for an additional 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few crumbs but not wet batter.
- Let the bread cool in the pan for about 15 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack or plate to cool completely. Slice and enjoy!
