There’s something magical about walking into a kitchen filled with the warm, sweet aroma of freshly baked banana bread. This super moist banana bread recipe transforms overripe bananas into a tender, flavorful loaf that’s become a beloved family favorite across generations. By combining the natural sweetness of bananas with apple sauce and a perfect blend of sugars, this recipe creates an exceptionally moist bread that stays fresh for days – if it lasts that long!
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients:
- 3 ripe bananas (about 400g or 1½ cups mashed)
- 3 large eggs (150g)
- ½ cup (113g) salted butter, melted
- ½ cup (120ml) unsweetened apple sauce
- ¼ cup (50g) brown sugar
- ¼ cup (50g) white sugar
Dry Ingredients:
- 1½ cups (180g) all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon (2.5g) ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon (2.5g) baking powder
- ½ teaspoon (2.5g) baking soda
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5 inch (23×13 cm) loaf pan and line it with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal.
- In a large mixing bowl, mash the ripe bananas until smooth but still slightly chunky.
- Add the melted butter, eggs, and apple sauce to the mashed bananas. Mix until well combined.
- Stir in both brown and white sugars until dissolved.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cinnamon, baking powder, and baking soda.
- Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, being careful not to overmix. Stop stirring as soon as no dry flour is visible.
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan, smoothing the top with a spatula.
- Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean with just a few moist crumbs.
- Let cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Nutritional Information
Per slice (based on 12 servings):
- Calories: 185
- Total Fat: 8.5g
- Saturated Fat: 4.8g
- Cholesterol: 62mg
- Sodium: 168mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 24g
- Dietary Fiber: 1.2g
- Sugars: 11g
- Protein: 3.5g
Timing:
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50-60 minutes
- Cooling Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
Pro Cooking Tips and Tricks
- Use overripe bananas with lots of brown spots for maximum sweetness and flavor
- Bring eggs to room temperature before mixing for better incorporation
- Don’t overmix the batter – this can lead to a dense, tough bread
- Tent the bread with aluminum foil if it browns too quickly
- The apple sauce can be slightly warm or at room temperature for better mixing
Variations and Substitutions
- Gluten-Free: Replace all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend
- Dairy-Free: Substitute melted coconut oil for butter
- Sugar Alternatives: Use coconut sugar or maple syrup instead of regular sugars
- Add-ins:
- ½ cup chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans)
- ½ cup chocolate chips
- ½ cup dried fruits
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I freeze this banana bread?
A: Yes! Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil. It freezes well for up to 3 months.
Q: Why did my banana bread sink in the middle?
A: This usually happens when the oven door is opened too soon or the batter is overmixed. Wait until at least 40 minutes before checking doneness.
Q: Can I make this into muffins?
A: Absolutely! Use a muffin tin and bake for 20-25 minutes at the same temperature.
Q: How ripe should the bananas be?
A: The best bananas for bread are very ripe with numerous brown spots or mostly brown skin. They should be soft but not moldy.
Storage and Make-Ahead Tips
- Counter Storage: Keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days
- Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week
- Freezer: Wrap well and freeze for up to 3 months
- Make-Ahead: You can mix the dry ingredients ahead of time and store them in an airtight container
- Bananas: Freeze overripe bananas whole in their peels for future use
- Reheating: Warm individual slices in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or toast lightly
This super moist banana bread recipe creates a perfect balance between classic comfort food and modern dietary preferences. The addition of apple sauce not only adds moisture but also reduces the overall fat content while maintaining that beloved banana bread texture we all crave.
