Brown Sugar Walnut Banana Bread Recipe

A slice of this brown sugar walnut banana bread recipe fresh from the oven is one of those things that to me, is a scent and taste memory. If you've grown up in a home like I did, where food was an integral part of showing love, then you know what it is like to associate smells and flavors with great times. My childhood was full of great food and now scent memories happen regularly. Banana bread is a new memory created with my youngest. He knows the distinct smell in the oven and this recipe is a recent addition to our menu that he loves.

Brown Sugar Walnut Banana Bread

Everyone has a banana bread recipe under their belt. I think it is probably one of the most common sweet breakfast bread recipes ever made. In fact, it is probably the first one I ever learned to make. There are tons of variations and we've even shared a few here. The perfect banana bread recipe is one of our most popular on the site. This year, I also shared a simple moist cheesecake banana bread that is very popular. Now, you'll have a third option that is just as delicious with a little bit of a different flavor.

Breakfast bread recipes are some of my favorite recipes because they are actually more than just a breakfast choice. These sweetened bread recipes make a great addition to breakfast, a weekend brunch, snack between meals, or my favorite - alongside a hot cup of coffee after dinner. Yes, I drink coffee at night! I am sure you will love this recipe as much as our family has.

Can I Use Pecans Instead of Walnuts?

While walnuts fit with banana bread classically, I know some individuals just don't' care for the flavor or don't have them on hand. If you want to substitute pecans into this recipe, feel free to do so. It will change the flavor slightly, but overall it won't be a noticeable change.

You can also leave nuts out of this recipe if that is better for your family. I have seen similar recipes that also include different nuts that might work here. Chopped peanuts, macadamia nuts, or hazelnuts can all be added to this mixture in place of walnuts to create another unique taste and combination. If you still want something different, check out my master list of sweet bread recipes that have over 20 ideas for unique flavors. These quick bread recipes are so delicious and easy to make!

How do I Ripen Bananas Fast?

My favorite way to ripen a banana fast is to place them in their peel, on a lined baking sheet and bake. Just place your oven at 250°F or the lowest temperature possible, and leave in the oven for 15 minutes. This will soften and ripen them easily and I find the best way.

Other options include microwaving them in 30-second increments or putting in a paper bag overnight with an apple. Usually, if you need to ripen them though, it's faster and the above method is best.

How Long is Banana Bread Good on the Counter?

While there is no set rule regarding sweet breads being left out, my preferences is that they are eaten within 2-3 days if they are left out of the refrigerator. If your family can't eat them faster than that, you will want to refrigerate or freeze the bread instead.

In the refrigerator, this walnut banana bread is good for up to 7 days. When frozen, it is good for up to 4 months. Of course, no matter what storage method you use, it is important to make sure you place the bread in an airtight container to store. You can also date and label the container if you are planning for long term storage. This makes it easier to identify in the freezer.

Ingredients Needed

• All-purpose flour
• Granulated sugar
• Baking soda
• Salt
• Walnuts
• Bananas
• Unsalted butter
• Eggs
• Vanilla extract
• Brown sugar

How to Make Brown Sugar Walnut Banana Bread

Preheat your oven to 325° degrees and spray the loaf pan with non-stick cooking spray or baking spray. You can also coat it with butter and flour.

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt.

Using a medium bowl, stir together the eggs, mashed bananas, melted butter, and vanilla extract.

Pour the wet mixture into the large bowl with the dry ingredients and add in the walnuts.

Stir the mixture using a spatula and fold until just combined. Do not over mix or you will have tough muffins.

Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan.

In a small bowl, melt the butter for the topping, then mix in the brown sugar and walnuts.

Spread this over the top of the bread mixture in the pan.

Place in the oven and bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Allow the bread to rest for 10 minutes in the pan before turning out onto a wire rack to continue cooling. I recommend letting it cool completely before you cut so it doesn't crumble.

Chef's Tip

When making any recipe, I like to prepare my workstation first. To me, that means getting out all of the tools I will need as well as measuring ingredients out, or at the least having all ingredients handy. I will chop, slice, dice anything that is needed first, then I can just grab and assemble. In the culinary world, you'll hear this referred to as mise en place. In other words, you are simply setting up the station for a better experience.

As part of that, for this particular recipe, I would make sure to have a large bowl, medium bowl, a small bowl, loaf pan, whisk, wooden spoon, measuring spoons, and measuring cups all on hand. Just by getting everything out onto the counter first, I will save time and create less mess while preparing and cooking my bread.

More Breakfast and Brunch Recipes

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but mostly it is my all-time favorite meal. Why? Because you can enjoy so much variety! Plus, you can eat something that is sweet and it counts as a meal and not dessert! Below are a few more of my favorite recipes for breakfast or brunch to keep on hand. Add these to your menu rotation for a new flavor everyone loves.

Start by following this easy tutorial for making oven baked bacon, then whip up the best fluffy pancakes. A great mimosa recipe is a must for those who drink at brunch, and some fresh blueberry muffins or strawberry bread are great to go with savory bacon. If you enjoy eggs, then whip up this burst tomato frittata with fontina and basil oil or these Italian baked eggs in tomato sauce. A simple crepe recipe can be filled with sweet or savory flavors, and you can't forget the Belgian waffles for a fluffy addition to top with fresh fruit and cream!

Continue to Content

📖 Recipe

Yield: 12

Brown Sugar Walnut Banana Bread Recipe

Print

Sink your teeth into a slice of this delicious and easy to make brown sugar walnut banana bread recipe. A perfect sweet breakfast bread recipe!

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 1 hour

Additional Time 30 minutes

Total Time 1 hour 45 minutes

Ingredients

Bread Batter Ingredients

• 2 ½ cups all purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup chopped walnuts
• 4 ripe bananas, mashed
• ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Brown Sugar Walnut Topping Ingredients

• ½ cup packed brown sugar
• ½ cup chopped walnuts
• 2 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 325° degrees and spray the loaf pan with non-stick cooking spray or baking spray.  You can also coat it with butter and flour.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt.
3. Using a medium bowl, stir together the eggs, mashed bananas, melted butter, and vanilla extract.
4. Pour the wet mixture into the large bowl with the dry ingredients and add in the walnuts.
5. Stir the mixture using a spatula and fold until just combined. Do not over mix or you will have tough muffins.
6. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan.
7. In a small bowl, melt the butter for the topping, then mix in the brown sugar and walnuts.
8. Spread this over the top of the bread mixture in the pan.
9. Place in the oven and bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
10. Allow the bread to rest for 10 minutes in the pan before turning out onto a wire rack to continue cooling.  I recommend letting it cool completely before you cut so it doesn't crumble.

Notes

Mix in ½ cup walnuts and ½ cup chocolate chips for a different flavor.

Recommended Products

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  Certified Organic Black Walnuts In-Shell Harvested on our Farm | Etsy

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

12

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 420Total Fat: 21gSaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 56mgSodium: 315mgCarbohydrates: 55gFiber: 3gSugar: 29gProtein: 7g