Buttermilk Banana Bread
Buttermilk Banana Bread is a moist, tender twist on classic banana bread, made with ripe bananas and tangy buttermilk. It combines simple pantry ingredients with a perfect blend of spices to create a flavorful, comforting loaf ideal for breakfast, snacks, or dessert. This versatile recipe is easy to customize and keeps well for days, providing a delicious homemade treat everyone will love.
- Author: Lilly
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55-65 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 1 loaf (about 10 slices) 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Wet Ingredients
- 3 to 4 ripe bananas, mashed
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)
Optional Add-ins
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips
- Cardamom or ginger to taste (alternative spices)
- Prepare Your Bananas and Wet Ingredients: Mash ripe bananas in a large bowl until mostly smooth but with some chunks. Add buttermilk, softened butter, brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract. Whisk together until creamy and well combined.
- Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and optional spices like cinnamon and nutmeg to ensure even distribution.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually fold the dry mixture into the wet banana mixture, stirring gently just until fully incorporated. Avoid over-mixing to keep the bread light and tender.
- Pour and Bake: Grease a loaf pan or line it with parchment paper. Pour in the batter evenly and smooth the top. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 55 to 65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool and Enjoy: Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing. This allows the flavors to meld and the texture to set perfectly.
Notes
- Use overripe bananas with brown spots for maximum sweetness and moisture.
- Don’t skip the buttermilk—it adds moisture and a subtle tang.
- Measure flour by spooning and leveling to avoid dense bread.
- Check for doneness a few minutes early since oven temperatures vary.
- Allow the bread to cool completely to enhance flavor and texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (about 1/10 of loaf)
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 210mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 37g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
Keywords: banana bread, buttermilk banana bread, moist banana bread, homemade banana bread, easy banana bread, breakfast bread, snack bread