The rich aroma of ripe bananas and warm spices fills the air as this golden loaf bakes to perfection. Flour’s Classic Banana Bread, originally made famous by renowned chef Joanne Chang, is more than just a nostalgic bake it’s a moist, tender, melt in your mouth experience.
With its simple pantry ingredients and bakery-level results, this banana bread is beloved by beginners and experts alike. The optional crunch of toasted walnuts and hint of cinnamon provide depth, while the banana’s natural sweetness shines in every slice. Serve it with coffee, share it at brunch, or enjoy it as a wholesome snack this recipe is a keeper for life.
Full Recipe:
Ingredients:
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3 ripe bananas, mashed
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1 cup granulated sugar
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1/2 cup melted butter
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2 large eggs
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1/4 cup milk
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2 cups all-purpose flour
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1 teaspoon baking soda
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1/2 teaspoon salt
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1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
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1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)
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1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
Directions:
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Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan.
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In a large bowl, mash the bananas until smooth.
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Stir in sugar, melted butter, eggs, and milk. Mix until well combined.
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In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon if using.
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Gradually add the dry ingredients into the banana mixture, stirring just until combined.
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Fold in walnuts if using.
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Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top.
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Bake for 60–65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
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Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cooking Time: 65 minutes | Total Time: 75 minutes
Kcal: 230 kcal | Servings: 10 slices
The Legacy of Flour’s Famous Banana Bread
When it comes to comfort baking, few recipes are as universally adored and nostalgically powerful as banana bread. Among the sea of banana bread variations, Flour’s Famous Banana Bread, made iconic by Chef Joanne Chang of Flour Bakery in Boston, holds a legendary status in both home kitchens and professional bakeries. Its rich, moist texture and deep banana flavor make it a benchmark recipe for banana bread enthusiasts everywhere.
Originally made popular by Chang’s bakery and her appearances on television and in cookbooks, this banana bread has become one of those rare recipes that transcend trends. It’s not just a recipe it’s a standard for what perfect banana bread should taste like.
A Recipe Born From Passion and Precision
Joanne Chang is not just any baker. A Harvard-educated mathematician turned James Beard Award-winning pastry chef, her approach to baking is a precise blend of science and soul. When she first set out to perfect banana bread for Flour Bakery, it wasn’t about creating something trendy. It was about crafting something deeply comforting, reliable, and rich with flavor.
The now-famous banana bread started with a simple mission: take a homestyle favorite and elevate it just enough to make it bakery-worthy, but not so much that it loses its down to earth charm. The result is a loaf that is both rustic and refined something that feels both homemade and professional.
What makes this banana bread particularly exceptional is its balance of texture and flavor. It’s sweet without being cloying, rich without being heavy, and always moist without being soggy. The crumb is soft and tender, but holds its shape beautifully when sliced.
The Secret Behind Its Irresistible Texture
Texture is where this banana bread truly shines. Most banana bread recipes rely solely on the moisture from bananas and a standard mix of flour, eggs, and butter. But Flour’s recipe takes it a step further by adding an extra touch of dairy richness: crème fraîche or sour cream.
This small but powerful addition adds both moisture and a subtle tang that cuts through the sweetness and enhances the flavor complexity. While crème fraîche is the more indulgent choice, even regular sour cream delivers an impressive result. This touch of acidity balances the ripe banana’s natural sugars, preventing the bread from becoming too sweet or dense.
Moreover, the recipe incorporates very ripe bananas not just yellow with brown spots, but bananas that are fully overripe and almost black on the outside. These bananas have intensified sugars and a deeply concentrated flavor, making them ideal for baking. Their consistency also blends more smoothly into the batter, which results in a creamier, more consistent loaf.
Why Flour’s Banana Bread Has a Cult Following
What elevates this loaf from good to unforgettable is its universality and reliability. It’s the kind of recipe that’s equally at home in a Boston bakery as it is in a cozy kitchen in the Midwest. People who try it once often find themselves making it over and over again, turning it into a family tradition or weekly ritual.
Part of its cult appeal comes from its incredible adaptability. While the original is spectacular on its own, it also serves as a fantastic base for experimentation. Add-ins like chocolate chips, toasted pecans, shredded coconut, or even a swirl of peanut butter are all welcomed by the batter without compromising the final texture.
There’s also something nostalgic about it. It reminds people of childhood, of rainy afternoons, or of quiet breakfasts shared with loved ones. Banana bread has always had a comforting presence, and this version manages to elevate that emotional impact through sheer quality and consistency.
Tips to Get the Most Out of This Recipe
Though the ingredient list is simple, there are a few tips and tricks to make sure your banana bread turns out exactly as intended:
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Use overripe bananas. The riper, the better. Don’t be afraid of brown skins or soft flesh. That’s where the flavor lives.
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Don’t overmix. Like with all quick breads, overmixing develops gluten and can make the loaf tough. Stir just until the flour disappears.
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Add-ins matter. If you’re using walnuts or chocolate chips, toast the nuts beforehand to enhance their flavor and make sure any chocolate is of high quality.
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Grease the pan well. Banana bread has a tendency to stick. Line with parchment if necessary.
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Test for doneness. A toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs. Avoid opening the oven early, as this can cause the bread to sink.
A Symbol of Comfort in Modern Baking
Banana bread surged in popularity during times of crisis, most notably in the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic. People sought out comfort, familiarity, and a sense of accomplishment. The act of baking, particularly something as soul-soothing as banana bread, became a coping mechanism, a way to reclaim control in an uncertain world.
Flour’s Famous Banana Bread, with its dependable nature and delicious results, became a go-to for many during this time. It wasn’t just about baking it was about nurturing. In many ways, this loaf became a symbol of resilience and creativity in the home kitchen.
Variations and Creative Twists
Although the classic version is hard to beat, this banana bread can easily evolve based on mood, season, or what you have in your pantry. Here are a few beloved adaptations:
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Chocolate Banana Bread: Add a cup of dark chocolate chips for a dessert-worthy loaf.
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Coconut Banana Bread: Add 1/2 cup shredded coconut and a touch of rum extract for tropical flair.
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Nutty Banana Bread: Combine chopped walnuts and pecans for extra crunch and richness.
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Peanut Butter Banana Bread: Swirl in peanut butter before baking for a nutty surprise.
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Maple Glaze: Top the cooled loaf with a maple syrup glaze for a sweet finish.
These changes not only personalize the loaf but also make it suitable for a range of occasions from breakfast to brunch to dessert.
Conclusion:
Flour’s Famous Banana Bread is more than just another baked good. It’s a sensory experience that starts with the sweet smell of overripe bananas and ends with that first warm bite of soft, comforting perfection. It tells a story not just of a successful bakery in Boston, but of a shared love for wholesome, satisfying food made with care.
Whether you’re a seasoned home baker or someone who only bakes a few times a year, this banana bread recipe delivers. It has stood the test of time for good reason: it works, it tastes incredible, and it makes people happy.
So the next time you see those bananas turning brown on your counter, don’t toss them. Turn them into something magical. Flour’s Famous Banana Bread isn’t just a way to use up fruit it’s a way to fill your kitchen, and your heart, with something truly special.