# Banana Bread Recipe
Canonical URL: https://thefoodthatshapedus.com/recipes/banana-bread
Publication state: published
Updated: 2026-08-02
Primary keyword: banana bread recipe
A practical, source-aware recipe for banana bread, with the history kept close to the method.
## Timing and Yield
- Prep: 15 minutes
- Cook: 30 minutes
- Total: 45 minutes
- Yield: Makes one 8½x4½" loaf
## Ingredients
- Nonstick vegetable oil spray
- 1½ cups (188 g) all-purpose flour
- 1¼ tsp. baking soda
- ¾ tsp. Diamond Crystal or ½ tsp. Morton kosher salt
- 1 cup (200 g; packed) dark brown sugar
- ⅓ cup mascarpone, plain whole-milk Greek yogurt, or sour cream
- 4 Tbsp. unsalted butter, room temperature
- 2 large eggs
- 4 large very ripe bananas, peeled, mashed (about 1½ cups)
- ½ cup chopped bittersweet or semisweet chocolate (optional)
- ½ cup chopped raw walnuts (optional)
## Method
1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°. Lightly coat an 8½x4½" loaf pan with nonstick vegetable oil spray and line with parchment paper, leaving generous overhang on long sides. Whisk 1½ cups (188 g) all-purpose flour, 1¼ tsp. baking soda, and ¾ tsp. Diamond Crystal or ½ tsp. Morton kosher salt in a medium bowl to combine.
   Step image: https://thefoodthatshapedus.com/images/recipes/steps/banana-bread-step-1.webp
   Image description: Step 1: Step 1 for Banana Bread.
2. Step 2: Using an electric mixer on medium-high speed, beat 1 cup (200 g; packed) dark brown sugar, ⅓ cup mascarpone, plain whole-milk Greek yogurt, or sour cream, and 4 Tbsp. unsalted butter, room temperature, in a large bowl until light and fluffy, about 4 minutes. Add 2 large eggs, one at a time, beating to blend after each addition and scraping down sides and bottom of bowl with a rubber spatula as needed.
   Step image: https://thefoodthatshapedus.com/images/recipes/steps/banana-bread-step-2.webp
   Image description: Step 2: Step 2 for Banana Bread.
3. Step 3: Reduce speed to low, add dry ingredients, and mix until just combined. Add 4 large very ripe bananas, peeled, mashed (about 1½ cups), and mix until just combined. Fold in ½ cup chopped bittersweet or semisweet chocolate and/or ½ cup chopped raw walnuts if using with spatula. Scrape batter into prepared loaf pan; smooth top.
   Step image: https://thefoodthatshapedus.com/images/recipes/steps/banana-bread-step-3.webp
   Image description: Step 3: Step 3 for Banana Bread.
4. Step 4: Bake bread until a tester inserted into the center comes out clean, 60–65 minutes. Transfer pan to a wire rack and let bread cool in pan 1 hour. Turn out bread onto rack and let cool completely (if you can resist) before slicing.
   Step image: https://thefoodthatshapedus.com/images/recipes/steps/banana-bread-step-4.webp
   Image description: Step 4: Step 4 for Banana Bread.
## Storage
Cool completely, cover, and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Reheat only when the texture benefits from it.
## History Context
This bread builds on the history of the world's most popular fruit with a fragile future, linking the dish to banana’s longer story in food culture.
## Primary Image
- URL: https://thefoodthatshapedus.com/images/recipes/variants/banana-bread/banana-bread-og.webp
- Description: Banana Bread. Photo: (Oinkers42) / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0).
- Status: editorial-placeholder
## Sources
1. Original Banana Bread recipe. Bon Appétit. https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/banana-bread