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Home » Recipes » Breakfast Recipes

Old Fashioned Banana Bread

Published: Dec 8, 2020 · Modified: May 12, 2023 by Audrey · This post may contain affiliate links

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Text that says old fashioned banana bread above and below the text are images of banana bread.

This old fashioned banana bread smells amazing while it bakes. It is sweet, soft, and the perfect way to use up extra bananas.

A loaf of old fashioned banana bread on a wooden tray with a slice of banana bread on a plate near it.

This old fashioned banana bread is one of my absolute favorite banana bread recipes. I really love old fashioned recipes and I have a small collection of vintage cookbooks that I like to look through. I love to experiment with the recipes I find in them. Plus, banana bread is always a good idea, especially this old fashioned banana bread with buttermilk and white sugar.

A loaf of a banana bread that has been sliced on a wooden tray.

This recipe makes one amazing loaf of banana bread that will make your house smell absolutely amazing while it bakes. I always get rave reviews on this banana bread and it’s the perfect recipe to use up extra bananas.

Jump to:
  • 💭 Why you’ll love this recipe
  • 🍌 What ingredients do I need for this recipe?
  • 💬 How ripe do the bananas need to be?
  • 🌰 Variations
  • 🥣 How to make this recipe (step by step guide)
  • 👩🏻‍🍳 Recipe FAQs
  • Old Fashioned Banana Bread

💭 Why you’ll love this recipe

This old fashioned banana bread uses simple ingredients. It is sweet and ultra moist.

🍌 What ingredients do I need for this recipe?

Ingredients needed to make old fashioned banana bread.

Start writing your grocery list or check your pantry because for this recipe, you will need:

  • All purpose flour: The base of the banana bread.
  • White sugar: This recipe only calls for white sugar since it is a vintage recipe. While I love brown sugar, there’s none in this recipe.
  • Butter:  You’ll want to use softened butter for this recipe. Softened butter will give this quick bread a soft texture and the butter provides a fantastic flavor.
  • Ripe bananas: Three medium to large bananas is plenty. You don’t want to overdo it and add any extra or the bread will be too mushy.
  • Buttermilk: Bananas and buttermilk go wonderfully together. It makes for a moist loaf of banana bread. If you don’t have any buttermilk, don’t worry! You can easily make half of a cup of buttermilk by adding ½ of a teaspoon of lemon juice to half of a cup of milk.
  • Vanilla extract: When it comes to vanilla extract, I always recommend that you use the highest quality vanilla extract you can afford. High quality vanilla extract is one of the best things you can invest in as a home baker.
  • Baking soda and baking powder: To give the bread some rise.
  • Eggs: You’ll need two large eggs for this recipe.
  • Walnuts or pecans: Adding nuts is totally optional but you can make this a banana nut bread, if desired.

💬 How ripe do the bananas need to be?

Anywhere to a little spotty or turning black are great bananas for making banana bread with.

🌰 Variations

You can make this a banana nut bread by adding chopped pecans or walnuts. If you like chocolate chips, they are also a great addition to this quick bread.

🥣 How to make this recipe (step by step guide)

A step by step guide on how to make old fashioned banana bread. It is a collage with three steps listed.

Begin by preheating your oven to 350 degrees. Next, soften your butter in your microwave. You’ll want to soften it, not completely melt it.

Add your flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, and baking soda to a large mixing bowl. Stir with a large spoon until well mixed. Next, slowly add in all of your wet ingredients.

Peel and mash your bananas with a fork then add them in. Mix with a hand mixer for about three minutes or until the batter is no longer lumpy. If desired, stir in 1 cup of walnuts or pecans into your batter and stir well.

Pour your batter into a greased loaf pan and then bake at 350 degrees for 55 to 60 minutes. You will know your banana bread is done because a toothpick will come out clean from the center.

👩🏻‍🍳 Recipe FAQs

What is the history of banana bread?

Banana bread became a household recipe in the 1930s with the popularization of baking powder and baking soda. It’s also believed that banana bread became a popular recipe during the Great Depression because nothing was wasted. Overripe bananas were baked into a quick bread to avoid waste. Many older banana bread recipes use wheat bran (since it was very filling) but this recipe does not. Older recipes also often call for buttermilk which was often less expensive.

Why do you use overripe bananas for banana bread?

Because they provide the sweetness for this quick bread. If you use yellow bananas, your banana bread will not be sweet.

How do I store leftover banana bread?

You’ll want to store your banana bread in an airtight container. It will be OK on your kitchen counter for 3 to 4 days. You can make it last a little longer by refrigerating it, if desired.

How do I freeze this banana bread?

If you want to freeze this banana bread, I recommend doing a double layer of aluminum foil around your loaf. This will help it stay fresh in your freezer. When you’re ready to eat it, simply let it defrost and then serve. I love defrosting it overnight in my refrigerator and then heating it up using the low setting on my microwave. It’s also great with a little bit of butter smeared on top.

Other great banana bread recipes:

  • Cast Iron Skillet Banana Bread
    Cast Iron Skillet Banana Bread
  • Amish Banana Bread
    Amish Banana Bread
  • Spice Cake Banana Bread
    Spice Cake Banana Bread
  • yellow cake mix banana bread
    Yellow Cake Mix Banana Bread
  • Fannie Farmer's Banana Bread on a wooden tray.
    Fannie Farmer’s Banana Bread
  • Copycat Bob Evans Pumpkin Bread Copycat Bob Evans Cookies on a wooden tray
    Copycat Bob Evans Banana Bread
  • A slice of Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Banana Bread surrounded by chocolate chips.
    Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Banana Bread
  • butterscotch banana bread slices
    Butterscotch Banana Bread

If you tried this Old Fashioned Banana Bread or any other recipe on my site, please leave a ⭐ rating and let me know how it goes in the 📝 comments below. I would love to hear from you!

Old Fashioned Banana Bread on a serving board with a white linen

Old Fashioned Banana Bread

Audrey
This old fashioned banana bread smells amazing while it bakes. It is sweet, soft, and the perfect way to use up extra bananas.
5 from 42 votes
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Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 55 minutes mins
Total Time 1 hour hr 5 minutes mins
Course Bread
Cuisine American
Servings 8 servings
Calories 429 kcal

Equipment

  • Hand mixer
  • Loaf pan (9 x 5 inch)

Ingredients
  

  • 2 ½ cups all purpose flour       
  • 1 ¼ cups white sugar
  • ½ cup unsalted butter softened
  • 1 ½ cups mashed ripe bananas about 3 bananas
  • ½ cup buttermilk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 2 large eggs beaten
  • 1 cup walnuts or pecans optional

Instructions
 

  • Begin by preheating your oven to 350 degrees. Next, soften your butter in your microwave. You’ll want to soften it, not completely melt it.
  • Add your flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, and baking soda to a large mixing bowl. Stir with a large spoon until well mixed.
  • Next, slowly add in all of your wet ingredients.
  • Peel and mash your bananas with a fork then add them in.
  • Mix with a hand mixer for about three minutes or until the batter is no longer lumpy.
  • If desired, stir in 1 cup of walnuts or pecans into your batter and stir well.
  • Pour your batter into a greased loaf pan and then bake at350 degrees for 55 to 60 minutes. You will know your banana bread is done because a toothpick will come out clean from the center.

Notes

Nutritional information is an estimate only.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 sliceCalories: 429kcalCarbohydrates: 72gProtein: 6gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0.5gCholesterol: 73mgSodium: 370mgPotassium: 233mgFiber: 2gSugar: 37gVitamin A: 466IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 65mgIron: 2mg
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Comments

  1. Swathi says

    December 11, 2020 at 5:07 pm

    5 stars
    Old fashioned banana bread looks delicious

    Reply
  2. Christina says

    December 11, 2020 at 9:18 am

    5 stars
    Yum! Making this again this week.

    Reply
  3. Sree says

    December 11, 2020 at 7:21 am

    5 stars
    Delicious banana bread.

    Reply
  4. Kaka says

    December 10, 2020 at 8:41 pm

    I am very fussy eater and didn’t liked bread. But, Banana bread is what made me fall in love with bread. I made this yesterday and it was delicious!!! Would definitely recommend it to everyone. Thank you

    Reply
  5. Alexandra says

    December 10, 2020 at 7:14 pm

    5 stars
    We are huge banana bread fans! This is a delicious recipe!

    Reply
  6. Ramona says

    December 10, 2020 at 4:33 pm

    5 stars
    Made this yesterday and it’s delicious. I have saved the recipe to make again!

    Reply
  7. Kristina says

    December 10, 2020 at 4:15 pm

    5 stars
    I love banana bread and this is a very good recipe.

    Reply
  8. Lauren says

    December 09, 2020 at 11:05 pm

    I love the delicious simplicity of this recipe. The buttermilk is something I have not used before in making banana bread, so I can’t wait to try it.

    Reply
  9. Diana says

    December 09, 2020 at 7:53 pm

    Yum! I love banana bread! I’ll have to try your recipe, looks delicious!

    Reply
  10. Maggie says

    December 09, 2020 at 6:13 pm

    I can almost smell the bread just from the picture! It looks so perfect, exactly like my grandma used to make. I’m going to have to try this soon!

    Reply
  11. Alex says

    December 09, 2020 at 2:23 pm

    This sounds so good!

    Reply
  12. Nahyun says

    December 08, 2020 at 11:12 pm

    5 stars
    Looks mouthwatering! I like how simple this recipe is and how easy you laid it out!

    Reply
  13. Crystal @ Simply Full of Delight says

    December 08, 2020 at 8:52 pm

    Yum! My kids would love this and what a great way to use extra bananas!

    Reply
  14. Josephine Bokuniewicz says

    December 08, 2020 at 8:48 pm

    5 stars
    This looks delicious!

    Reply
    • TeeJay says

      March 15, 2022 at 9:45 am

      Can I use this recipe for muffins? How long would I bake them? Thank you!

      Reply
      • Two Pink Peonies says

        March 15, 2022 at 7:05 pm

        Hi TeeJay, yes you can use this recipe for muffins. Use cupcake liners, fill about 2/3s up (do not over fill). Bake for 18 to 20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean from the middle.

        Reply
  15. Bri says

    December 08, 2020 at 7:03 pm

    I just got allergy shots again so I think that I will be able to have banana again!! I have missed banana bread!!

    Reply
Newer Comments »
5 from 42 votes (29 ratings without comment)

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Audrey in a red dress holding her young son

Hi, I'm Audrey!

I’m a busy mom and I love to cook, bake, and craft with my kids. Here, you will find tons of recipes like easy weeknight dinners, copycat recipes, cookies, as well as lots of fun craft ideas for kids.

My website has been featured on MSN, Yahoo, Parade, Food Gawker, Love What Matters, Yummly, and more! Read more →

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