I’m not sure why I’ve waited so long to post a banana bread recipe on Kitchen Konfidence. Jorge and I love banana bread and we make it aaaaallllll the time.
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I recently discovered a new banana bread recipe in Bobby Flay’s latest cookbook, Brunch @ Bobby’s, and it’s outstanding. Crackly on the outside and moist on the inside, this brown-butter spiked bread is flavored with ripe bananas, honey, cinnamon and chopped smokey pecans. The ingredient list and preparation are so simple, but the finished bread is wonderfully complex and flavorful. It’s impossible to eat just one slice.
This banana bread is perfectly fine as is, but I decided to take it over-the-top with a rich, homemade Vanilla Butter (recipe also from the book). This slightly-sweet spread is made with soft butter, vanilla seeds, salt and sugar. Perfect for breakfast, brunch or dessert! Continue reading for the recipes plus a cookbook/gift card giveaway AND a valuable tip to ripen bananas quickly.
First, the giveaway. The kind folks over at Clarkson Potter provided me with a copy of Brunch @ Bobby’s AND a $100 Visa Gift Card to give away to one lucky Kitchen Konfidence reader!! I watch Brunch @ Bobby’s each week, and I always love to see all the inventive recipes and cocktails that he comes up with. This book has 140 (some from the show) all dedicated to one of the best meals all week long: brunch! Here’s how you can enter to win:
Giveaway open to US addresses only.
Before we get to the recipe, I want to share a simple tip on how to quickly ripen bananas in the oven. I usually make banana bread when I’ve got a number of bananas that are overripe. However, sometimes I want to make banana bread, and all I’ve got are fresh or somewhat ripe bananas (like the spotted ones pictured below). In this instance, I like to use my oven to help “ripen” the bananas quickly. Bake bananas for 15 – 20 minutes in a 250°F oven, and BOOM, black bananas. The short trip to the oven helps to draw out moisture and concentrate sugars, making the bananas perfect for banana bread. How easy is that?
Brown Butter Banana Bread with Vanilla Butter
Ingredients
For the Banana Bread:
- 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus more for greasing the pan
- 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour, plus more for dusting the pan
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnmaon
- 4 medium overly ripe bananas (skins should be black), peeled (see tip above on how to quickly ripen bananas)
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 egg, beaten
- 3/4 cup chopped toasted pecans
- Turbinado sugar, for sprinkling
For the Vanilla Bean Butter:
- 1 stick (8 tablespoons) unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 vanilla bean split lengthwise and seeds scraped
- Pinch of fine grain sea salt
Instructions
- Preheat an oven to 350°F, and set an oven rack to the middle position. Butter and lightly flour a 9-inch loaf pan.
- Cook butter in a small saucepan over medium heat until the butter turns a deep golden brown color (about 5 minutes). Set aside to cool slightly.
- Add flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon to a small bowl, whisking to combine. Set aside. Mash bananas using a fork in a medium bowl until smooth. Add sugar, browned butter, honey and egg to the bowl with the banana, whisking to combine. Add the flour mixture, then stir until just combined. Do not overmix here. Fold in the pecans.
- Scrape the batter into the prepared loaf pan, and sprinkle the top evenly with turbinado sugar. Bake on the middle rack until an inserted toothpick comes out clean (40 to 50 minutes). Let cool on a baking rack in the pan for 15 minutes. Remove from the pan and let cool on the rack for at least 30 minutes before slicing.
- While the banana bread is cooling, make the Vanilla Butter. Stir together the butter, sugar, vanilla seeds (use the leftover pods for Vanilla Sugar), and salt in a small bowl until combined. Let flavors meld for a little bit before using (I waited 45 minutes). Store any leftover Vanilla Butter in the refrigerator, and let soften before using again.
Prizing and samples provided by Clarkson Potter. All thoughts, opinions and recipes are my own. I watch Brunch @ Bobby’s each week, so I am more than happy to spread the news about his new book!
Here are some other brunch recipes on Kitchen Konfidence:
Savory Waffles with Rosemary, Ham and Dubliner Cheese
Roasted Garlic Bloody Mary
Easy Homemade Hollandaise
Orange Cardamom Scones
Fluffy Cardamom Pancakes
Yeasted Pumpkin Waffles
I’m Brandon: food explorer, recipe curator, cocktail shaker, dessert lover. Kitchen Konfidence is how I document my time spent in my favorite space, the kitchen. Did you make a recipe? Tag @brandiego on Instagram so I can see the how it went!
Jeffrey says
I love waffles for brunch, sometimes I make up a large batch of batter and divide it up into separate bowls. Everyone then gets to add their favorite mix-ins, sweet or savory! It gets the kids involved in the food prep, they go for sweet every single time, hard to believe isn’t it?
Brandon Matzek says
That’s a great idea Jeffrey!! Haha I believe it.
Averie @ Averie Cooks says
I love banana bread so much! I would rathe have banana bread than a fancy cake or most any other dessert! I love the blackened banana GIF, so cool and a great tip! Fave brunch item…mimosas 🙂
Brandon Matzek says
Thanks Averie! Yeah that banana ripening tip has saved me a few times when I needed to make banana bread and all I had was barely ripe bananas!
Susan Christy says
I love Crab Cakes Eggs Benedict.
Karla R. says
I love eating egg sandwiches for brunch!
Lori says
Love brunch….for me it is all about Bloody Marys and biscuits with sausage gravy. The ultimate southern comfort food.
Brandon Matzek says
YUM! I am also a big Blood Mary fan.
Amy L says
I like pancakes for brunch, or for a special occasion I make my famous cinnamon rolls. Yummy!
Birdiebee says
My favorite brunch dish is some type of eggs benedict.
Lilly Camp (mysweetiepiepie) says
My favorite brunch food is waffles, or biscuits with gravy – but bacon is a must, of course.
Bella B says
YUM! Sounds so good. A vanilla butter sounds so different and so delicious! I can;t wait to try!
xoxoBella | http://xoxobella.com
Dana S says
I love challah French toast or shakshuka for brunch
Katrina says
Browned butter adds such a wonderful flavour to banana bread! This sounds great!
Kayley says
I like pancakes.
Carolsue says
My favorite is French toast with strawberries and whipped cream
Carla S says
I like broccoli quiche and cinnamon rolls.
Annamarie V says
My favorite brunch food is waffles with strawberries and whip cream, my favorite brunch drink is a Bloody Mary.
HS says
I love ham & cheese puffs for brunch.
Lauren says
German pancake with lemon juice and a mimosa of course – yum!
Kristen says
I love huevos rancheros.
Heather Hayes Panjon says
My Favorite Brunch Dish Is Pancakes Topped With Fried Apples!
Amber Campbell says
I love chocolate chip pancakes, but a Bloody Mary is not a bad choice either!
Lauren says
I like waffles with fresh strawberries.
Julie Wood says
Our Favorite brunch dish is waffles with Bacon! I am always getting out the waffle maker and trying out different waffles. One of our favorites is my Chocolate Chip Waffles with hot chocolate syrup!
Natalie says
My favorite brunch food is egg white omelettes and toast!
Daniel says
I made your Brown Butter Banana Bread today, and it smells Fantastic! I haven’t tasted it yet because it’s still hot. I had a bit more batter than I thought I needed, but I used it all anyway. I did have to give it a few stern looks while it was baking to keep it from bubbling over, but it did just fine.
Also really liked the tip about ripening bananas in the oven. Most of the bananas lately have been green when I get them and seem to go bad before they ripen enough naturally.
Brandon Matzek says
Interesting about the quantity! My batter came up 3/4 to 4/5 of the pan. Let me know how you enjoy the bread once it cools :). Thanks Daniel!
Daniel says
Definitely my new go-to banana bread recipe…yesterday’s loaf is already gone (there are 4 of us in the house and if something is good it doesn’t last long). I had some freakishly large bananas , so that was probably why I ended up with a lot of batter. I ‘m making another one Today!
I only recently found your blog and I’m loving it!
Daniel
Brandon Matzek says
Yay!!! This just made my day. So glad you loved the banana bread. Thanks for checking back in!!
Tamra H says
I’m not a huge breakfast person, so to me that’s why brunch is so amazing! If I can eat anything with shrimp in it before noon, I call that a win. 🙂
Stephanie says
i like pancakes
Jessica To says
I like banana bread or a sausage and egg casserole for brunch.
Christina says
I think my new favorite has been chilaquiles. Just throw some chorizo, scrambled eggs, cheese, and delicious tomatillo sauce on them. Delicious!
Jennifer says
I am a big lover of the sweet bits of brunch. This looks fabulous and I have a few bananas on my kitchen counter that could make this happen in my near future!
Elena says
I love frittata for brunch
Zubayda M. says
I like to eat meat and cheese omelets for brunch. I also like French toast with fruit toppings.
shelly peterson says
I like to have a ham and cheese omelet.
georgie c says
My favorite brunch food is tuna salad on toasted whole wheat bread.
Betsy Rubendall Barnes says
One of my favorite brunch food is quiche. I really like Broccoli Cheddar Quiche, makes a very nice brunch 🙂
Lynn says
i love eggs benedict!
Barbara says
My favourite brunch food is eggs Benedict with a tall Bloody Mary. Bring on the celery!
Amanda says
What a great tip for ripening bananas! I’ve never heard of that, but I’m definitely going to try it. Cool!
manda says
Eggs Benedict.
Diane says
Omelets and bacon!
Sara says
I’m such a fan of sweet breakfasts/brunches. My favorites have got to be challah french toast or crepes with fresh fruit!
Lucy says
anything with a runny yolk + a bloody mary on the side! can’t be brunch without a bloody mary 🙂
Tommi says
My favorite brunch dish is a cheesy tasty omlette!!!
Lisa says
Breakfast is my favorite meal. There pretty much isn’t anything I don’t like but my favorite has always been waffles.
Samantha P says
I love love love waffles with a little bit of butter and honey! Yum 🙂
Vicky @ Avocdo Pesto says
This banana bread looks incredible! Love watching Bobby Flay on the Food Network but have never seen any of his cookbooks! Would love one. For brunch my go to is Eggs Benedict! Preferably with smoked salmon! So good!!
John P. says
My favorite is an Overnight Cranberry/Cinnamon coffee cake.
DeniseG says
Anything with a runny egg involved, I will eat until my pants don’t fit.
heather says
Fave brunch item….belgium waffles…pecans and REAL maple syrup.
Lisa Brown says
favorite brunch food is eggs benedict
Rust says
I love spicy bloody mary’s on occasion with brunch.
Lisa Stover says
I love quiche and mimosas! Bloody Mary’s are good too, especially if you have a little hangover from the day before 🙂
Mary says
Blueberry muffins are my favorite.
sharleen s says
My favorite brunch dish has to be this delicious biscuit sandwich from a local cafe with spicy bacon, cheddar cheese, a runny egg, on a asiago cheese biscuit! Yum!
Ruby says
I love a good frittata for brunch!
Mais says
I love a big fluffy frittata and breakfast potatoes! Yum!
Sarah S says
I love a decadent French toast or a crab cake benedict.
Amber I. says
Egg strata with gruyere & bacon.
Jason says
French toast or waffles
courtney b says
I love pancakes as my favorite brunch food!
thanks!
Sippitysup says
Yes to banana bread. Yes to this book. And I LOVE those instantaneously ripening bananas! GREG
Brandon Matzek says
Hahah it is a fun trick :). Really works too! Thanks Greg.
Sandy Headtke says
Give me a good Bloody Mary and I won’t fuss about anything else you want to serve. It’s all good when I have a Bloody Mary first.
Corinne B. says
I do love a good veggie hash.
Amy @ Thoroughly Nourished Life says
This banana bread has me craving a slice right now! I love how decadent this quick bread is and the vanilla butter takes it over the top in the best way! I think I’ll have to treat myself to a slice or two, and purchase Bobby’s new book too!
Amanda Sakovitz says
I love waffles!
Kelly D says
I like a cheddar cheese omelette.
JoeyfromSC says
I LOVE waffles & mimosas! Your blog is aweswome! thanks for the chance to win!
Joey J.
Janet W. says
Waffles are my favorite brunch food!
shaunie says
My favorite is bacon quiche with fruit and tart pie
Ellie Wright says
French Toast is my favorite brunch food.
Kim Henrichs says
My favorite brunch food is an overnight french toast and I always do a raspberry almond coffee cake with a cream cheese swirl and usually mimosas!
Thomas Murphy says
I like Eggs Benedict.
ali celestino says
Well done steak salad with ranch and a baked tater
Yasko says
I like “Shrimp and grits ” for brunch. I know they are more for dinner but I like the dish so much that I can eat anytime of the day.
Brian @ A Thought For Food says
I’m such a sucker for banana bread… I grew up with it always around and it was alway so comforting. But brown butter banana bread? Why have I never thought to do that? That just sounds absolutely perfect.
Brandon Matzek says
Me too! My mother never made banana bread, so I came a little late to the party. But now I’m a big banana bread fan. Thanks Brian!
Stephanie Phelps says
My favorite brunch food is hashbrown casserole! Always my favorite!
Fifi says
Smoothies and Scones are my favorite for Brunch! Thanks for posting these great recipes.
Michelle says
Spinach quiche
Tabathia B says
I enjoy omelets for brunch
Stephanie Schoch says
It’s really tough to choose my favorite brunch food – either French toast or a breakfast burrito!
Heather Dawn says
I love sweet potato hash for brunch.
Dawn Monroe says
I am bacon crazy. I also enjoy ham and cheese omelette s. I’ve never tried mimosas but would like to.
MARTHAIA says
I’ll take pancakes & bacon anytime for brunch or whenever..Thanks
Mianna says
Stratas are always fun! Or my Mom’s baked cheese souffle (sooo good). Fresh fruit is a must and always champagne!
Chantel says
I am SO making this when I have my apartment back next week! Fingers crossed the SoCal weather actually turns to fall soon.
I always have to have champagne during brunch but my special brunch treat for my hubby or visitors is Tripel Caramelized French Toast with Creme Anglaise. It’s always a plate scraper!
Priscilla S. says
My favorite brunch food is Belgium waffles topped with berries.
Ani {@afotogirl} says
I’m big on egg casseroles for brunch. You can get super creative, toss them together the night before and bake them off in the morning. Easy. Oh, and can I say, love your trick on ripening bananas!
Brandon Matzek says
Thanks Ani! Make-ahead brunch items are really key. I’ll often prepare yeasted waffles the night before.
Annie @ Annie's Noms says
Vanilla butter!?! Wow, that sounds fantastic!! And what a perfect combination to go with the banana bread!
Brandon Matzek says
Thanks Annie!
Kim Kihega says
My favorite brunch food is eggs Benedict.
Cindy A. says
My favorite brunch food is toast topped with a fried egg, avocado, and tomato.
DJ says
I love veggie omelettes.
Mary Vantil says
my fave brunch drink is Mimosas & a light turkey salad yummy
Elle P. says
I love blueberry pancakes.
Jackie {The Beeroness} says
I need vanilla butter on all the things. ALL THE THINGS!!!
Brandon Matzek says
It’s also good in coffee 🙂
mita says
Chocolate chip pancakes
Sarah Hayes says
My favorite is pancakes
Lorraine F says
muffins
Joanna says
Huge fan of a really good bagel with lox, cream cheese, capers, onions and tomatoes!
Laura J says
Ny favorite is Eggs Benedict!
Bonnie Sanders says
This looks so yummy, I can’t wait to try it. Thanks for the banana riping tip. And for the chance to win. I’m going to be checking out Brunch @ Bobby’s .
Rosie says
I love buckwheat pancakes with real maple syrup and some good butter!
Tracie Cooper says
I love Hashbrown Casserole for brunch!
Tara says
I love pancakes any time of the day!
carol clark says
i like toast with cheese thats my fav but i do love love quiche any kind
Felice says
I love ricotta hotcakes and bacon.
Claudia | The Brick Kitchen says
OMG that is genius – so cooking my bananas in the skins before I make banana bread next time. And love how you used brown butter and walnuts – looks like an epic banana bread. Love the way you photographed it too, all sliced up <3
Brandon Matzek says
Thanks Claudia!!!
Karen D says
I’d have to say waffles with real maple syrup
kelly tupick says
My favorite brunch food is eggs benedict. It’s hard to find a restarant that makes it.
fabiola@notjustbaked says
No lie, I am making this today. I have the perfect bananas and love for this recipe!
Brandon Matzek says
Yaaassss!! Let me know how you like it Fabiola 🙂
Heather S says
My favorite is fruit filled crepes with a powdered sugar dusting and fresh squeezed orange juice…YUM
Jennifer Marie says
My favorite is french toast topped with fruit.
Barbara Montag says
I love a good cheese & mushroom omelette!
thank you
Alexandra robertson says
Yum, I love banana bread! My favorite brunch food is egg and cheesy quesadillas.
karen says
Bagels and cream cheese, fresh fruit, hot black coffee
Denise L says
I can’t pick just one so I’ll give you a sweet – homemade cinnamon rolls – and a savory – quiche Lorraine.
Patty K says
Oh my! You had me at brown butter, but then you added that VANILLA butter. I die!
Brandon Matzek says
Haha thanks Patty!!
LaTanya says
I like french toast
Lena P. says
My fave is Challah Pecan French Toast w/ Caramel and Bourbon Whipped Cream ♡♡
Sheila K. says
My favorite brunch food is eggs Benedict!
Donna A says
I love any kind of quiche. Or pancakes are great also. Or toast slathered in butter and blackberry jam. Blackberries are the greatest.
Tonya Flores says
I love fried egg sanwhichs
Evan says
I love hash for brunch! So many ways to interpret it and you can make it a complete and nutritious main dish.
Donna L says
My favorite is an everything bagel with cream cheese.
Jillian Too says
I love stuffed french toast drizzled with maple syrup.
Rachel J says
My favorite brunch is pancakes! Blueberry 🙂
Erin M. says
Eggs Benedict!
Jen says
I love bagels with smoked salmon and all of the fixin’s!
Bianca says
chocolate chip pancakes!!
Katherine Thul says
My favorite brunch drink is a Bloody Mary with lots of garnishes. And I love a good breakfast burrito.
Beth R. says
Eggs. As a vegetarian, brunch menus can be hard to navigate, but every place has some kind of egg dish.
cristina says
Great tip on ripening the bananas and so clever how you animated it in before/after! Bobby Flay has great looking recipes, luv all his shows on the cooking channel and food network. Beautiful post, Brandon!
Brandon Matzek says
Thanks Cristina :)!
Shannon says
I LOVE french toast! Especially with good challah bread.
Teresa Moore says
My favorite brunch food is a baked egg, bacon and spinach casserole.
Jade Sheldon says
Hands down, bloody marys
Mariam says
I love french toast!
Bryn says
Bagels and fruit
Taylor says
Waffles are my favorite, but sometimes leftover pie just calls to me in the morning!
Beth L says
Bacon pancakes!!
barbara curry says
Thanks for the tip on the bananas, I’m going to give it a try now with my almost ripe ones. Browned butter should make one of my favorite brunch foods even better.
Stefanie G says
I love pancakes and eggs for breakfast
Alexis K. says
Right now I’m in love with pizzas. So many varieties and after finding a good crust recipe, the possibilities are endless!
Krista says
mimosas are my favorite bkfast beverage. 🙂
Olivia Rose says
My favorite brunch good is eggs Benedict with a few mimosas!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jodi says
Veggie quiche. Love it!
Haejin says
We love yeasted waffle with chocolate chips and fruits or scones for brunch. Thanks for the giveaway!
Erin says
Pancakes. So versatile. Savory or sweet. So many different versions. Padding into the kitchen with slippered feet, wiping the sleep from your eyes and finding a stack of chocolate chip pancakes on the breakfast table waiting for you on a snowy day. Laughing with friends over a short stack piled with syrup and fruit at 2 a.m. at a greasy diner after a night of dancing. Breakfast for dinner always includes pancakes. Pancakes mean comfort. Pancakes make people happy. What would the world be without pancakes?
Cynthia | What A Girl Eats says
What a gorgeous loaf of bread! I love your idea for quickly browning the bananas.
Brandon Matzek says
Thanks Cynthia!
Lisa says
Favorite brunch food is always always always french toast! This banana bread looks amazing though, def have to try it!
Deborah says
Migas….love migas!!!!
Amy S says
I love French toast with a side of bacon!
Chase says
Chicken and waffles and a spicy bloody mary
Molly says
I love eggs and really good salsa.
Denise E. says
I love a brunch spread that includes blueberry pancakes and mimosas!
Stephanie o'day says
I love French Toast with syrup and a little bit of powered sugar!
Janice Cooper says
Belgium waffles is my favorite brunch food
Christiane ~ Taking On Magazines says
I would normally say that Eggs Benedict is my favorite brunch item, but you had me swooning with that vanilla butter. Wow, it sounds delicious … especially slathered on banana bread.
Brandon Matzek says
Thanks Christiane! Eggs Benedict is pretty spectacular.
Kaitlin says
I love a good homemade omelet!
Steven weber says
I really enjoy pancakes and an egg bake.
Bunnie says
French toast or a savory bread pudding, scrambled eggs and a salty or spicy protien like bacon, ham or sausage. Finished up with a few sweets of course.
Michelle J. says
I love biscuits and gravy!
Ellen Casper says
Eggs Benedict is my favorite brunch item.
meredith says
i love waffles & eggs for brunch
Aly ~ Cooking In Stilettos says
Brunch at Bobbys was one of the must have cookbooks this year and his show – love it! I love your spin on this banana bread! I have to say, for brunch, one dish that is always a hit – my Mexican Chocolate French Toast – talk about chocolate cake for breakfast 🙂
Brandon Matzek says
Yuuuuum that sounds delicious Aly! Is it a baked French toast or skillet?
Susan says
I love the gif of the somewhat ripe to over ripe bananas! It’s perfect, as is this bread. I love a little sweet with my brunch.
Brandon Matzek says
Hahah thank you!!
Steph @ Steph in Thyme says
I had no idea how to brown bananas quickly in the oven. GAME CHANGER. Thanks so much for sharing. And that vanilla butter? Oh gosh have to have it!!
Brandon Matzek says
I know right?! Thanks Steph :)!
Iman i says
What are smoked pecans? Where can you buy them? Or do you smoke them yourself?
Brandon Matzek says
Hi Iman! I just use regular pecans here. To me they’ve got a bit of a smokey flavor. Maple, caramel, smoke, butterscotch – all notes I get from a pecan.