Copycat Perfect Banana Bread Recipe 🍌
Got Overripe Bananas? Make this delicious, easy perfect banana bread!
Banana bread is one of life’s simplest and most delicious pleasures. But to get it just right, you need the perfect recipe. Lucky for you, we’ve got the best one around! This recipe is easy to follow and results in banana bread that is moist, flavorful, and perfectly sweet. So go ahead and bake up a loaf – you won’t regret it!
Banana bread is a quick-bread made from mashed over-ripened bananas. The more ripened they are, (think ugly black spots all over the peel!), the better the flavor of the bread. This moist, sweet bread is perfect slathered with cream cheese or softened butter.
Another trick I’ve learned over the years is that if you have some over-ripened bananas on the counter, but you don’t have time to make bread at that particular moment, you can simply put them in the freezer, as is. I generally wrap them in saran wrap or place the entire fruit in a Ziploc bag.
When you’re ready to bake the bread, thaw them on a plate or in a bowl as freezing breaks them down a bit and causes them to become juicy and weep a little.
Personally, I love the added bits of walnuts in the recipe, but my other half isn’t as crazy about them. This recipe makes two loaves, so I’ll often pour batter into the first loaf pan and then add walnuts to the remaining batter before I pour it into the second loaf pan.
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🧾 About the Ingredients
Here’s a quick rundown of the ingredients in this banana bread recipe and why each one matters:
- All-Purpose Flour: The base of the bread. Regular all-purpose flour gives a tender, moist texture. You can use a 1:1 gluten-free blend if needed.
- Salt: Just a pinch enhances the flavor and balances the sweetness. Don’t skip it!
- Sugar: Granulated white sugar adds sweetness and helps with browning. You can cut back slightly or use coconut sugar if desired.
- Baking Soda: This is your leavening agent, helping the banana bread rise. Make sure it’s fresh for the best lift.
- Shortening: Creates a light, tender crumb and helps the bread stay moist. You can substitute with butter or coconut oil if preferred.
- Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and add richness. Large eggs are standard in most recipes.
- Vanilla: Adds warmth and depth of flavor. Use real vanilla extract if possible—it makes a difference!
- Milk: Loosens the batter and adds moisture. Whole milk gives the richest flavor, but any kind will work.
- Mashed Banana: The star of the show! Use very ripe bananas with brown or black skins—they’re sweeter and more flavorful.
- Walnuts (Optional): Add crunch and nuttiness. Pecans, chocolate chips, or even shredded coconut can be swapped in depending on your taste.
How to Make the Perfect Banana Bread
You’ll Need:
- 2 c. All purpose Flour
- 1/4 tsp. salt
- 1 1/2 c. Sugar
- 1 tsp. Baking Soda
- 1/2 c. Shortening
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1/2 c. milk
- 1 c. mashed banana (about 2 large)
- 1/2 c. chopped walnuts *optional
Instructions:
In a large bowl combine flour, sugar, salt, baking soda until well mixed, cut in the shortening until the mixture is crumbly.
Stir in the eggs, vanilla, and milk until well combined. Gently fold in the mashed banana last, mixing only until just incorporated. Add walnuts or pecans, if desired.
Transfer the batter into lightly greased loaf pans.
At this point, if you’d like to put extra nuts on top, for appearance and a bit of additional flavor, this is the time to do it!
Bake 350F for 45-60 Minutes, if making a single loaf, it will take closer to 60 minutes, if dividing the batter between 2 pans, it will only take 38-45 minutes to cook.
Freezing:
If you’d like, you can use muffin tins instead. Both the bread and the muffins freeze well, just make sure they’re completely cooled before wrapping and freezing.
Serving:
Serve slices plain, topped with butter or cream cheese, or topped with a delicious fruit butter, such as strawberry butter.
Wait, Don’t toss the Banana Peels!
Now that your perfect banana bread recipe is complete, don’t toss out the banana peels. They’re incredibly useful for a wide range of things including plant fertilizer, wart remover, glass polish, and more!
💸 Budget101® Price Breakdown
| Ingredient | Amount Used | Package Size | Package Cost | Used Cost |
| All-purpose flour | 2 cups | 5 lb | $2.24 | $0.36 |
| Salt | 1/4 tsp | 26 oz | $0.54 | $0.01 |
| Sugar | 1 1/2 cups | 4 lb | $2.38 | $0.45 |
| Baking soda | 1 tsp | 16 oz | $0.98 | $0.02 |
| Shortening | 1/2 cup | 48 oz | $4.64 | $0.46 |
| Eggs | 2 | 1 dozen | $1.88 | $0.31 |
| Vanilla | 1 tsp | 2 oz | $1.12 | $0.18 |
| Milk | 1/2 cup | 1 gal | $2.68 | $0.08 |
| Bananas | 2 large | 3 lb | $0.58/lb | $0.35 |
| Walnuts (optional) | 1/2 cup | 8 oz | $4.99 | $0.62 |
| 🧾 Total Used Cost: | $2.84 (w/o walnuts) – $3.46 (with walnuts) |
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🔄 Recipe Variations & Substitutions
- Butter Instead of Shortening: Use unsalted butter in a 1:1 ratio for a richer flavor. The crumb may be slightly denser but still delicious.
- Dairy-Free Option: Swap the milk for almond milk or oat milk. Use vegan shortening or coconut oil instead of traditional shortening.
- Gluten-Free Banana Bread: Substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend. Add 1/2 tsp xanthan gum if your blend doesn’t include it.
- No Eggs? Replace each egg with 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce or a flax egg (1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 3 tbsp water).
- Lower Sugar Version: Cut the sugar down to 1 cup or replace with 3/4 cup coconut sugar or a monk fruit baking blend.
- Add-Ins: Stir in 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips, shredded coconut, or chopped dates for extra texture and sweetness.
- Spiced Banana Bread: Add 1 tsp cinnamon and 1/4 tsp nutmeg to the dry ingredients for a warm, cozy flavor.
- Banana Nut Muffins: Pour the batter into muffin tins and bake at 350°F for 18–22 minutes.
❓ FAQ about Banana Bread
Q: Can I freeze this banana bread?
Absolutely! Wrap tightly in foil or plastic wrap and freeze for up to 3 months.
Q: What if I only have one banana?
Use 1/2 cup applesauce to supplement, or freeze the single banana and wait for more.
Q: Can I use butter instead of shortening?
Yes—replace 1:1, but expect a slightly denser texture.
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🖨️ Print-Friendly Banana Bread Recipe
Perfect Banana Bread
Equipment
Ingredients
Instructions
- In a large bowl combine flour, sugar, salt, baking soda until well mixed, cut in the shortening until the mixture is crumbly.2 cup Flour¼ teaspoon salt1 ½ cup Sugar1 teaspoon Baking Soda½ cup Shortening
- Add eggs, vanilla, and milk until mixed. Add mashed banana last, mixing just until incorporated. (Add walnuts or pecans if desired)2 eggs1 teaspoon vanilla½ cup milk½ cup chopped walnuts *optional1 cup banana
- Bake in lightly greased loaf pans at 350F for 45-60 Minutes, if making a single loaf, it will take closer to 60 minutes, if dividing the batter between 2 pans, it will only take 38-45 minutes to cook.
Equipment
Notes
Freezing Tip
If you'd like, you can use muffin tins instead. Both the bread and the muffins freeze well, just make sure they're completely cooled before wrapping and freezing.If you altered the ingedients above by doubling or tripling the recipe, you may also need to change the pan/dish size and adjust the cooking/baking time.
Nutrition
📝 Final Note
By the way, after enjoying this recipe, don’t toss the peels! Here’s how to repurpose banana peels in 12 clever ways—from plant fertilizer to natural polish.
Great recipe! I was worried it wouldn’t freeze well, but I wrapped the loaves in wax paper first, then placed them in freezer bags, removing as much of the air as possible.
I made them at thanksgiving time and forgot I put them in the freezer! I found a loaf yesterday and let it thaw. It was amazing, still moist, delicious! Definitely a keeper, thank you.