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Cozy Brown Butter Banana Bread with Walnut Crumb

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This banana bread features nutty brown butter and a crunchy walnut crumb topping, creating a deeply flavorful and comforting loaf that tastes like it came from a bakery.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter
  • 3 large ripe bananas, mashed (about 1 1/2 cups or 340g)
  • 3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup (50g) packed light brown sugar
  • 2 large eggs, at room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 cups (190g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 cup (120ml) plain Greek yogurt or sour cream
  • 1/2 cup (60g) all-purpose flour (for topping)
  • 1/4 cup (50g) packed light brown sugar (for topping)
  • 1/4 cup (30g) chopped walnuts
  • 1/4 cup (56g) cold unsalted butter, cut into small cubes (for topping)
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (for topping)
  • Pinch of salt (for topping)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Position the rack in the center of the oven. Line your 9×5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the long sides. Lightly grease the exposed ends with butter or non-stick spray.
  2. Brown the butter. Place the 1/2 cup of unsalted butter in a light-colored saucepan or skillet over medium heat. Stir frequently with a wooden spoon or spatula. The butter will melt, then foam, then start to turn golden. Watch carefully—this happens fast. When you see brown specks forming at the bottom and the butter smells nutty and toasty (about 5-7 minutes), remove it from the heat immediately. Pour it into a heatproof bowl to stop the cooking. Let it cool for 10 minutes.
  3. Make the walnut crumb topping. While the butter cools, combine 1/2 cup flour, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1/4 cup chopped walnuts, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, and a pinch of salt in a small bowl. Add the 1/4 cup cold cubed butter. Use your fingertips or a pastry cutter to work the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with some pea-sized pieces. Pop it in the fridge while you prepare the batter.
  4. Mash the bananas. In a large mixing bowl, mash your 3 ripe bananas with a fork until mostly smooth with a few small lumps.
  5. Combine wet ingredients. Add the cooled brown butter, 3/4 cup granulated sugar, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 2 room-temperature eggs, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and 1/2 cup Greek yogurt to the mashed bananas. Whisk everything together until smooth and well combined.
  6. Mix dry ingredients. In a separate medium bowl, whisk together 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, and 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg.
  7. Combine wet and dry. Pour the dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Use a rubber spatula to fold gently. Stir just until no streaks of flour remain—a few lumps are perfectly fine.
  8. Pour into pan. Scrape the batter into your prepared loaf pan and spread it evenly with the spatula. Give the pan a gentle tap on the counter to release any air bubbles.
  9. Add the crumb topping. Sprinkle the chilled walnut crumb mixture evenly over the top of the batter. Press it down gently so it adheres to the batter as it bakes.
  10. Bake. Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 55-65 minutes. At the 50-minute mark, check for doneness. The bread is done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs. If the top is browning too quickly (after about 40 minutes), tent loosely with aluminum foil.
  11. Cool. Let the bread cool in the pan on a wire rack for 15 minutes. Then use the parchment overhang to lift the loaf out and transfer it directly to the rack to cool completely. Wait at least 1 hour before slicing.

Notes

Watch the butter carefully when browning; it goes from perfect to burnt in about 30 seconds. Room temperature ingredients are important for a smooth batter. Do not overmix the batter to avoid a tough loaf. Let the bread cool completely before slicing to prevent crumbling.

Nutrition

Keywords: banana bread, brown butter, walnut crumb, easy recipe, cozy, comfort food

Find it online: https://junomeals.com/cozy-brown-butter-banana-bread-with-walnut-crumb-easy-recipe/