The other day, when I told the boys we were going to make buttermilk banana bread, they both started squealing “nana bread! nana bread!” and doing a funny little jig around the kitchen. I kind of felt like joining in. It is just. that. good.
I discovered this recipe five years ago, at my favorite food blog, Mel’s Kitchen Cafe. The bread takes on a lighter color than most banana breads because of the addition of buttermilk. It’s sweet, surprisingly fluffy and has a fantastic buttery crust. I get compliments whenever I take it somewhere.
Then when I tried adding an easy buttermilk glaze, it went from breakfast to dessert. ๐ (Not that that stops us from eating it at breakfast!)
I know people can be pretty loyal to their banana bread recipes, but I’m just gonna say itโI think this is the banana bread to end all banana breads. ๐
Buttermilk Banana Bread
Adapted from Mel’s Kitchen Cafe
For the bread:
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 eggs
1 cup mashed bananas (I use 3 average-sized bananas)
4 tablespoons buttermilk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 3/4 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon baking soda
For the glaze:
1 cup powdered sugar
1-2 tablespoons buttermilk
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
1. Grease and flour 1 large loaf pan.
2. Cream butter and sugar together. Add eggs, bananas, buttermilk, and vanilla until the batter is well mixed. Add in the flour, baking powder, salt, and soda. Mix until combined. Pour batter into greased and floured bread pan, and bake at 350 degrees for 50-55 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. (My oven takes at least 65 minutes.)
3. Loosen the edges with a knife and empty the pan onto a cooling rack.
4. In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon buttermilk, and vanilla. Add more buttermilk as needed to reach a drizzleable-but-still-on-the-thick-side glaze. (Such a professional description!) Drizzle onto the bread and allow to finish cooling (if you can wait!).
*I usually sub 3 tablespoons of applesauce for 3 tablespoons of butter, as well as sub out 1/2 to 3/4 cup of the all-purpose flour for King Arthur’s white whole wheat flour. Slightly healthier and still amazing!
Update!
I don’t share recipes anymore, but I do have LOTS of great content for women who are looking to trade overwhelm and fatigue for focus and peace. โค๏ธ
If you’re new here, I’d love to point you to my top 5 articles! Make a cup of tea (maybe some banana bread ๐ ) and stay a while!
- 32 Ways to Savor Your Children While You Have Them
- 9 Hard Truths You Need to Hear About Clutter
- 10 Clutter-Clearing Strategies that Will Gradually Make Your Life 100 Times Easier
- 12 Must-See TED Talks for Purposeful Women
- 24 Self-Care Practices for Mothers
You’re also welcome to grab this free PDFโto help you clear out some space in that overcrowded mind of yours!
Claire @ Lemon Jelly Cake
Haha, yes, I’m pretty loyal to my banana bread recipe ๐ and I always go back to it, but I’m not above trying out new ones too! This looks beautiful and delicious. And I have six or seven overripe bananas on my counter…
Jeni
This looks glorious! I’ve tried several of the recipes you’ve posted and haven’t been disappointed even once. Can’t wait to try this!
Erica Layne
Thanks, Jeni! I don’t post food all that often, so when I do, they are my favorite recipes. I’m so glad you’ve liked them!
Rachel T.
Mmmm. Thanks for sharing. Definitely going to try this!
ela@GrayApron
Nice loaf…moist, dense but delicate. Thanks for sharing! ๐ ela
Joanna Sormunen
I’m doing a gluten free lent right now. But I can promise you that as soon as Easter comes, I’ll try this out. Yummy!
Alexis @ We Like to Learn as We Go
Wow this sounds amazing! And I actually have some old bananas in the freezer waiting to be made into bread. Just pinned it!
Erica Layne
Thanks so much, Alexis! I hope you like it as much as we do!!
Heather @ Life as we know it...
I’m always on the look out for a new banana bread recipe. This one looks amazing!
Holly Giles
This sounds fantastic, I think I will have to make it tomorrow! Thanks for sharing. Holly
Diane @ Vintage Zest
Wow, this looks fantastic! Also, congrats because you are featured on this week’s Do Tell Tuesday link party and have been pinned to our features board! Feel free to grab a button and link up this week too. ๐ http://www.vintagezest.com/2014/03/do-tell-tuesday-16-with-features-co-host.html
Diane @ Vintage Zest