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Quarantine Comfort Brown Butter Banana Bread (Gluten-Free OR Regular)

Super simple and extra rich (thanks brown butter!) makes this the very best banana bread recipe to whip up during this crazy COVID-19 quarantine. Make it regular or gluten-free and make it your own by adding chocolate chips, nuts, seeds, dried fruit ... whatever gets your through another week right now friends.

Course Breakfast, Dessert, Snack
Cuisine American
Keyword banana bread, brown butter
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Author Lindsay Navama

Ingredients

Banana Bread Batter

  • 1/4 cup butter (I prefer salted)
  • 1 1/3 cup all-purpose flour (regular OR gluten-free WITH xanthan gum - I like Cup4Cup or King Arthur Flour Brands)
  • 3/4 cup old fashioned rolled oats (regular OR gluten-free & not quick-cooking)
  • 3 tablespoons chia seeds (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt (I use kosher or sea salt)
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon OR ground ginger OR ground nutmeg (optional)
  • 4 medium over ripe, good & brown bananas, peeled
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar (SUB: white sugar, coconut sugar, date sugar if preferred)
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract OR whiskey OR rum (optional but awesome)

Optional Mix-Ins

  • 3/4 cup chocolate chips OR chopped nuts OR dried cherries OR whatever mix-in sounds magical! (I love HU Gems chopped up or Guittard Extra Dark Chocolate Chips)
  • 3 tablespoons sesame seeds OR poppy seeds (Optional mix-in instead of any of the above)

Instructions

Prep

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F with rack in center position. Generously brush loaf pan with oil of choice or line with a rectangle of oiled parchment paper going across the width of pan, which enables you to easily lift the loaf out of the pan once baked! Set aside.

Brown Butter

  1. The process of browning butter essentially means you'll be "toasting" the milk solids in the melted butter until golden and caramelized. Place butter in small saucepan or frying pan over medium heat to melt. TCK TIP: Using a pan with a light bottom to easily see once butter has browned. Continually whisk or stir butter to prevent it from burning. As it melts, the butter will begin to foam. Continue stirring until the color on the bottom of the pan is a golden brown (about 4-6 minutes) and you smell the heavenly, nutty fragrance that can only come from BROWN BUTTER! Remove from heat and quickly pour into a heat-proof bowl or container to stop the cooking process. Set aside.

Make Batter

  1. In medium bowl whisk together flour, oats, chia seeds, baking powder, salt and cinnamon or other spice until combined. Set aside.

  2. In bowl of standing mixer or large bowl, use paddle attachment or whisk to mash bananas into a creamy paste on medium speed for about 1-2 minutes. Alternatively manually whisk into a creamy consistency in medium bowl.

  3. Add brown butter to creamed bananas and mix until just combined.

  4. To banana mixture add sugar, eggs, and vanilla, whiskey OR rum. Stir on medium speed if using standing mixer or whisk by hand, until fully combined.

  5. Add flour mixture to banana mixture and stir until just combined and lumps are mainly gone.

  6. Use a spatula or large spoon to fold in chocolate chips or other magical mix-in of choice.

  7. Pour batter into loaf pan and bake for 45-50 minutes or until knife inserted into center comes out clean. Let cool for at least 30 minutes before removing from pan and slicing. Yes, you can speed up cooling time by putting it in the refrigerator for 15 minutes.

Recipe Notes

GOOD TO KNOW NOTES

  • This recipe can me made gluten-free or regular.
  • If you're vegan or dairy-free, you can brown Miyoko's Vegan Butter or use vegan margarine like Earth Balance without browning it.
  • Eggs can be replaced by 2 flax eggs, though the texture will be slightly more dense and less fluffy. 

ENJOYMENT SUGGESTIONS

  • Slather a thick slice with:
    • butter and a sprinkle of sea salt
    • butter and a sprinkle of sprinkles
    • nut butter and a drizzle of honey 
    • Nutella and a sprinkle of salt 
    • your favorite fruit preserves 
  • Toast a slice and enjoy warm and slightly crunchy 
  • Make french toast after leaving a few slices on a plate to dry out for 2 hours

STORING TIPS

  • Store in air-tight container in refrigerator for up to 1 week or at room temperature for 2 days
  • Freeze for up to 2 months