Banana Bread is one of our absolute favorite treats. My girls love it and honestly I do too. There is something so comforting about warm banana bread, it just makes a perfect after school snack or homemade gift.
Whenever I pop over to a Starbucks I can usually count on the girls starting to ask for the Banana Bread. They just love it.
I have been playing with various recipes for banana bread for awhile now and finally stumbled across one that we really like and that is very, very close to what we usually get at Starbucks stores.
This one is simple to make, packed with banana and is delicious plain, with nuts or add some chocolate chips for a real treat.
This recipe is actually from Starbucks directly so hopefully you like it as much as we do!
For this recipe you can totally omit the walnuts but they really do add so much flavor. You can always substitute chocolate chips for the walnuts which would be delicious.
*****NOTE: I use a large loaf pan (10 3/4″ long, 5″ wide, 3 1/2″ tall)- if you have a smaller loaf pan, you might divide this into 2 batches or fill your pan 2/3 high and use the remaining batter in a muffin pan. Another option is to bake in a 9×9 dish.
- 2 cups flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 egg
- 1⅛ cup sugar
- ½ cup vegetable or canola oil
- 2 tablespoons buttermilk or milk
- ½ teaspoon vanilla
- 3 bananas mashed very well
- ½ cup chopped walnuts (optional)
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
- Add flour, baking soda and salt to a small bowl and set aside.
- Mix egg, sugar and oil and stir until well combined
- Add the dry ingredients to the wet and stir well. The mixture will be thick and dry.
- Next add milk, vanilla and bananas and stir until incorporated.
- Mix in walnuts and pour into a loaf pan.
- Cook 50-75 minutes, checking regularly until a knife comes out clean.
Note the success of banana bread depends on bananas. You really want super ripe or slightly brown bananas for the best flavor.
If your bananas are fresh you can place them in a brown paper bag closed tightly for a day or two to help them brown, keep them attached at the stem for faster ripening or if you need them brown right away, place them in a 300 degree oven for 30 minutes and then let cool for 30 minutes. For delicious meals and desserts like these; check out Publix recipes. Be sure to place foil or parchment under the bananas before popping them in the oven as they may leak a tiny bit.
If you want an authentic Starbucks experience, add nuts to the dough and sprinkle on top as well.
So give this recipe and shot and come back and let me know what you think! If you want to freeze this bread, it freezes beautifully. Just let it completely cool, tightly wrap in saran wrap and then pop into a freezer bag.
When you are ready to have the bread, simply pull out of the freezer and let it defrost.
This recipe is slightly adapted from Food.com, based off a recipe released by Starbucks directly at a media event.
And here are a few other recipes you might enjoy:
Chocolate Cinnamon Rolls – perfect for Christmas morning!
I thought I had the best banana recipe,, but you proved me wrong.. I love your recipe so much.. thank you!!!
Wow so kind of you to say! Thanks Allie. 🙂
Recipe says walnuts. Loaf below looks like it is topped with pecans.
Penny- either walnuts or pecans work fine.
I’m literally about to make 2 loaves of this and have all my ingredients lined up but suddenly realized…which size of loaf pan?!
Ohhhh, please disregard…I should have real ALL the comments! I’ll use a nine-inch.
Yeah! Hope it turns out well for you Jennifer 🙂
Anyone know how many cups 2 ripe bananas makes. Put my bananas in measuring cup before finding this recipe. Thanks
Love! Just what I was looking for!
Do you grease the loaf pan or not. I just says put in pan.?
Hi Patti,
You can certainly grease the pan. I don’t always do it and have good results but I often use ceramic loaf pans and we usually eat the entire loaf right from that pan. 🙂
This is the best banana bread I have had in years! It is so moist and flavorful. The texture is just right too! My husband and I gobbled up the entire loaf in just a couple days. Can’t wait for my bananas to ripen! I’m ready for another loaf!
Very happy to hear that Patti 🙂
Why would I use buttermilk instead of reg. milk? Just wondering..
Hi Lizzie,
Buttermilk keeps baked goods moist because it breaks down gluten, it adds a little tangyiness (so more complex flavor) and it creates a lighter texture. 🙂 HTH!
Do you think I could sub out there bananas for pumpkin and make pumpkin bread the same way?
Hello! I’ve made this before and love it! Can you double the recipe and bake two loaves at once? If so, what would I need to differently? Thank you!
Hi Jennifer– for sure! This pumpkin bread recipe is based off this one and is really good 🙂
http://myfrugaladventures.com/2017/09/copycat-starbucks-pumpkin-bread/
Hi Jennifer,
I think that would be fine 🙂 Depending on the size of your loaf pans you might get 3 loaves.
Just tried the Copycat Starbuck Banana Bread recipe. I made this for my husband as I usually don’t like banana bread. I absolutely love this. I had to put it out of sight so I would quit eating it.
THANK YOU!
Ha ha ha! Out of sight is so true. I could definitely eat a loaf by myself. 🙂
I made the banana nut bread- copy cat Starbruck’s. It was beautiful and very good.
Happy to hear that Vickie!
the best banana bread I’ve ever made moist fantastic flavor thanks for sharing
So happy to hear that Lori!
If converting from a loaf to muffins what would the bake time be?
Hi Charlene.
I baked the banana bread, this morning. It is delicious! In the past I’ve used other recipes and the bread alsways seems wet and sticky. I love how the top of the bread is crunchy.
I will definitely make the banana bread, again. (I tried to rate your recipe with 5 stars, but could not do using my iPad. Sorry!)
What is the best way to store the bread?
Thank you.
Diane
How nice of you to say Diane! I store it in a sealed large Ziploc bag and it stays nice and fresh. Full disclosure- we tend to eat it within 2 days or so though 😉
Wonderful Banana Bread!
This is the best banana bread I have ever tasted.
Thanks so much June! So happy you liked it!
Delicious! I made grab and conundrums and they turned out perfectly!
Could almond milk be used instead of regular milk?
Hi Valerie,
I have not tried this myself but I believe it is an equal amount of almond milk to cow’s milk and it should be fine. The almond milk might actually have a better flavor. Let us know how it turns out 🙂
Hello! What can i do to keep it fresh while in transit to Korea?
Absolutely the best banana bread I have ever made and I’ve been making it for many years, Thanks for sharing the recipe.
This is the best banana bread that I have ever made and I’ve been maknig it for years, thanks for sharing the recipe.
Thanks so much Deb!!
Hi Twiya,
Make sure it is completely cooled and then put it in a Ziploc bag, seeling tight. Should stay fresh for several days. Just don’t squish it in your carry on bags 🙂
Happy travels!
This is so delicious!! I used coconut oil and vanilla almond milk and added some cinnamon, cloves and ginger. I too thought I had a great banana bread recipe but I now have a new go to.
Oh glad to hear the almond milk was a success!
Thanks Dana 🙂
Doesn’t even come close to Starbuck Bananna Bread. It wasn’t even moist, sorry to say I’ve had way better. Very disapointed.
Sorry to hear you were disappointed Sheri.
Take care,
Charlene
This is the best! I’m about to make it again but don’t have milk left :(…could I sub with water and it be ok?
What size loaf pan is recommended?
Nevermind. I should’ve read all the comments
Hi Zoe, sorry about that. Hope it turned out well for you 🙂
Hi Jo- here are a bunch of substitutes to try:
http://www.sheknows.com/food-and-recipes/articles/1116425/milk-substitutions
Looks like water is fine but they recommend adding extra butter too.
Thank you ! This bread came out perfect, and after so many years of using the one I previously did, will now become my go-to Banana Bread ! I substituted some brown sugar, and added chocolate chips, along with a crumb topping. The kids and grandkids love it !
Oh that sounds wonderful. I love brown sugar and bananas!
-Charlene