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Cozy One-Bowl Banana Bread with Walnuts

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This cozy one-bowl banana bread with walnuts is a forgiving, comforting recipe that fills your kitchen with a warm, nutty aroma. Made with simple ingredients and a fork-mashing technique, it delivers a moist, tender crumb with crunchy pockets of toasted walnuts.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 large ripe bananas, mashed (about 1 ½ cups or 340g)
  • ⅓ cup (75g) unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
  • ¾ cup (150g) granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg, at room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 ½ cups (190g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional but recommended)
  • ½ cup (60g) walnuts, chopped and toasted
  • A handful of walnut halves for topping (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang on the long sides.
  2. Toast the walnuts: Place chopped walnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat. Shake occasionally and toast for 3-5 minutes until fragrant and lightly golden. Set aside to cool.
  3. Mash the bananas: In a large mixing bowl, peel bananas and mash with a fork until mostly smooth with a few small lumps.
  4. Add wet ingredients: Pour melted butter over mashed bananas and stir. Add sugar and mix well. Add egg and vanilla, stirring until smooth and glossy.
  5. Combine dry ingredients: Sprinkle flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon (if using) over the wet mixture. Fold gently with a spatula until just combined—do not over-mix.
  6. Fold in walnuts: Gently fold toasted walnuts into the batter. Reserve a handful for topping if desired.
  7. Transfer to pan: Scrape batter into prepared loaf pan and spread evenly. Arrange reserved walnut halves on top if using. Tap pan gently on counter to release air bubbles.
  8. Bake: Bake for 50-60 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs. If top browns too quickly, tent with foil for the last 15 minutes.
  9. Cool: Let bread cool in pan for 10 minutes on a cooling rack. Use parchment overhang to lift out and transfer to rack to cool completely (at least 30 minutes) before slicing.

Notes

Use very ripe bananas with brown spots for best sweetness and moisture. Do not over-mix the batter to avoid tough bread. Measure flour correctly by spooning and leveling. Let ingredients come to room temperature. Toast walnuts to enhance flavor. Cool completely before slicing to prevent crumbling. Bread keeps at room temperature for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: banana bread, walnut banana bread, one-bowl banana bread, easy banana bread, moist banana bread

Find it online: https://cookluma.com/cozy-one-bowl-banana-bread-with-walnuts/