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Brown Butter Banana Bread

A delightful banana bread infused with the rich, nutty flavors of brown butter, perfect for breakfast or as a sweet snack.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 25 minutes
Servings: 10 slices
Course: Breakfast, Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American
Calories: 250
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Banana Bread
  • 14 tablespoons unsalted butter the star of the show
  • 1.75 cups granulated sugar for that perfect sweetness
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour the foundation of your bread
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder to help your bread rise
  • 0.75 teaspoon baking soda a little leavening magic
  • 1 teaspoon fine sea salt a subtle enhancer
  • 0.75 teaspoon ground nutmeg the spice of warmth
  • 3 large eggs binding everything together
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract for a hint of elegance
  • 4 ripe bananas (mashed, about 2 cups) bringing the banana flavor
  • 0.25 cup brown sugar light or dark for depth
For the Streusel Topping
  • 0.25 cup all-purpose flour for the streusel
  • 0.5 teaspoon cinnamon adding warmth
  • 1 pinch fine sea salt balancing flavors
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter room temperature for streusel

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 10×5-inch loaf pan and line it with parchment paper for easy removal later.
  2. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, slowly melt the unsalted butter. Continue cooking, swirling occasionally, until it turns a rich golden brown, and you can smell a nutty aroma (about 5-7 minutes). Remove from heat and pour it into a bowl to cool.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar, all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, fine sea salt, and ground nutmeg until well combined.
  4. In another bowl, whisk together the mashed bananas, eggs, and pure vanilla extract until fully combined. Pour this mixture into the dry ingredients and stir gently until just combined.
  5. Add the cooled brown butter to the mixture and stir until everything is just incorporated.
Streusel Preparation
  1. In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar, all-purpose flour, cinnamon, and a pinch of fine sea salt. Use your fingers (or a fork) to work the room temperature butter into the mixture until clumps form.
Baking
  1. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and sprinkle the streusel evenly over the top. Bake for 1 hour 10 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  2. Remove from the oven, let it cool for 15 minutes in the pan, and then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

For healthier alternatives, consider replacing half the butter with unsweetened applesauce or using whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose.