If you’re looking for the absolute best banana bread recipe, you’ve found it. This beloved recipe comes straight from my mom’s kitchen, and it’s the definition of perfection: incredibly moist, wonderfully fluffy, and impossible to resist. The best part? It’s designed for simplicity. You only need one bowl and a few basic ingredients to whip up this comforting classic.
Why This Recipe is the BEST
There are dozens of banana bread recipes out there, but this one stands above the rest. Here’s what makes this one-bowl wonder so special:
- Unbeatable Texture: The secret to its moist and fluffy crumb is the perfect ratio of ripened bananas, softened butter, and a touch of yogurt. It stays soft for days!
- Minimal Cleanup: Everything is mixed in a single bowl—no need for a separate dry bowl. A spoon or whisk is all you need.
- The Perfect Sweetness: It’s sweet enough to feel like a treat, but not so sweet that it overshadows the rich banana flavor.
- Passed Down Perfection: This recipe has been fine-tuned over decades by my mother, making it a tested and true family favorite!
Preheat your oven to 325°F and grease a loaf pan (or line with parchment paper.)
Put softened, room temperature butter and sugar into the bowl of a stand mixer. Cream together with the whisk attachment until smooth. Next add in the bananas, eggs, and yogurt, and mix well.
Into the same bowl add in the salt, baking soda, and flour and mix until thoroughly combined. Pour the batter into your greased loaf pan and top with brown sugar.
Bake for 50-60 minutes, until a toothpick inserted comes out with moist crumbs. Allow your loaf to cool for 10-15 minutes before removing from the loaf pan.
Slice and enjoy!
Baker’s Notes & Variations
- Muffin Option: Don’t have a loaf pan? This recipe makes excellent muffins! Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20-25 minutes.
- Add-ins: Before pouring into the pan, fold in 1/2 cup of chocolate chips, chopped walnuts, or pecans for extra flavor and texture.
- Make it Vegan: Replace the butter with a neutral oil (like avocado oil or melted coconut oil), the egg with a flax egg (1 Tbsp flax meal + 3 Tbsp water), and use a non-dairy yogurt.
The BEST Banana Bread
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat your oven to 325°F and grease a loaf pan (or line with parchment paper.)
- Cream butter and sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer. Next add in the bananas, eggs, and yogurt, and mix well.½ cup butter, 1 cup sugar, 2 eggs, 2 large bananas, ⅓ cup plain yogurt
- Into the same bowl add in the salt, baking soda, and flour and mix until thoroughly combined. Pour the batter into your greased loaf pan and sprinkle the top with brown sugar.pinch salt, 1 tsp baking soda, 2 cups flour
- Bake for 50-60 minutes, until a toothpick inserted comes out with moist crumbs. Allow your loaf to cool for 10-15 minutes before removing from the loaf pan.
Notes
- Muffin Option: Don’t have a loaf pan? This recipe makes excellent muffins! Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20-25 minutes.
- Add-ins: Before pouring into the pan, fold in 1/2 cup of chocolate chips, chopped walnuts, or pecans for extra flavor and texture.
- Make it Vegan: Replace the butter with a neutral oil (like avocado oil or melted coconut oil), the egg with a flax egg (1 Tbsp flax meal + 3 Tbsp water), and use a non-dairy yogurt.
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