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Ultra-Moist Banana Bread with Brown Butter and Espresso Glaze

ultra moist banana bread - featured image

This ultra-moist banana bread features a nutty brown butter flavor and a rich espresso glaze, creating a cozy yet sophisticated treat that’s perfect for gifting or brunch.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 ripe bananas, mashed
  • 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, browned
  • 3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 3/4 cups (220g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • Espresso Glaze:
  • 1 cup (120g) powdered sugar
  • 1 tablespoon strong brewed espresso, cooled (or 1 teaspoon instant espresso powder mixed with 1 tablespoon hot water)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 23 teaspoons milk (dairy or plant-based), to thin as needed

Instructions

  1. Brown the Butter: In a light-colored skillet over medium heat, melt 1/2 cup unsalted butter. Stir frequently as it foams and then browns, releasing a nutty aroma and showing tiny brown specks (about 5 minutes). Pour into a heatproof bowl and let cool slightly.
  2. Preheat Oven & Prepare Pan: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper.
  3. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Set aside.
  4. Combine Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, mash 3 ripe bananas until smooth but still a bit chunky. Add browned butter, 3/4 cup granulated sugar, 2 large eggs, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Whisk until combined.
  5. Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Gradually fold dry ingredients into wet mixture using a wooden spoon or spatula. Do not overmix; combine until no dry flour remains.
  6. Pour Batter & Bake: Transfer batter to prepared loaf pan, smooth top lightly. Bake 55-65 minutes, checking at 55 minutes with a toothpick for doneness.
  7. Cool the Bread: Cool in pan for 15 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely before glazing.
  8. Prepare Espresso Glaze: Whisk together 1 cup powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon cooled espresso, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and 2-3 teaspoons milk until smooth and pourable.
  9. Glaze the Bread: Drizzle glaze evenly over cooled banana bread. Let set about 20 minutes before slicing and serving.

Notes

Use a light-colored pan to brown butter to monitor color changes. Do not overmix batter to avoid toughness. Let bread cool completely before glazing to prevent glaze from sliding off. For gluten-free, substitute flour with gluten-free blend. For vegan, replace eggs with flax eggs and use dairy-free butter and plant-based milk.

Nutrition

Keywords: banana bread, brown butter, espresso glaze, moist banana bread, easy banana bread, quick banana bread, brunch recipe, dessert