Description
This Best Ever Banana Bread with Cinnamon Crunch recipe delivers a perfectly moist, flavorful loaf topped with a delightful cinnamon sugar crunch. Made with ripe bananas, brown butter, and a hint of cinnamon, this banana bread is rich, tender, and irresistibly delicious—ideal for breakfast, dessert, or a sweet snack.
Ingredients
Scale
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (113g)
- 2 eggs, cold
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 large extra ripe bananas, mashed (about 400g)
- 1/2 cup sour cream (120g) – can be substituted with yogurt
Dry Ingredients
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar (55g)
- 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar (100g)
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour (195g)
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon + 1 tbsp sugar (for cinnamon crunch topping, optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a loaf pan with parchment paper and generously butter it to ensure the bread doesn’t stick.
- Brown the Butter: In a nonstick saucepan over medium-low heat, melt the butter. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until the butter turns a rich brown color and emits a fragrant nutty aroma. This adds depth of flavor to your banana bread.
- Add Sugars: Lower the heat to the lowest setting and add both granulated sugar and brown sugar to the browned butter. Stir constantly for 1-2 minutes to combine and dissolve the sugars, creating a smooth caramel-like mixture.
- Incorporate Eggs and Vanilla: Remove the pan from heat and let the mixture cool for about 5 minutes. Then add the cold eggs and vanilla extract. Whisk vigorously for 1-2 minutes until fully combined, smooth, and silky.
- Mix Bananas: Add the mashed bananas to the wet mixture and stir until evenly mixed, ensuring the banana flavor is well distributed.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Sift together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gently fold these dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined, careful not to overmix to keep the bread tender.
- Fold in Sour Cream: Finally, fold in the sour cream, which contributes moisture and a slight tanginess to the batter.
- Prepare for Baking: Pour the batter into your prepped loaf pan, smoothing the top evenly. Sprinkle the cinnamon and sugar mixture evenly over the surface to create the signature cinnamon crunch crust.
- Bake: Place the loaf in the preheated oven and bake for about 50 minutes. Test for doneness by inserting a toothpick in the center; it should come out clean or with just a few moist crumbs attached.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the banana bread to rest in the pan for 20 minutes to set, then carefully remove it from the pan. Slice and enjoy your perfectly moist banana bread with a sweet cinnamon crunch topping!
Notes
- This banana bread balances rich flavors and moisture perfectly while remaining light, making it a crowd favorite.
- The browned butter adds a nutty depth that enhances the banana flavor.
- The cinnamon sugar topping delivers a sweet, crunchy texture contrast to the soft bread.
- Sour cream can be substituted with yogurt for a similar texture and tang.
- Use extra ripe bananas for maximum sweetness and moisture.
- Allow the loaf to cool sufficiently before slicing to maintain its shape and texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (approx. 1/12th of loaf)
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
