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Crispy One-Bowl Brown Butter Banana Bread Recipe with Cinnamon Sugar Crunch

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This banana bread features a crispy, crackly crust with a soft, tender crumb, enhanced by nutty brown butter and a cinnamon sugar crunch topping. It’s a quick, one-bowl recipe perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 ripe bananas, mashed
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, browned and slightly cooled
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • Cinnamon Sugar Crunch Topping:
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted

Instructions

  1. Brown the butter: Place 6 tablespoons unsalted butter in a light-colored saucepan over medium heat. Stir frequently as it melts, then foams. Watch closely for the color to shift from yellow to golden brown with nutty aroma. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
  2. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5 inch loaf pan with butter or nonstick spray, then lightly dust with flour to prevent sticking.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, mash 3 ripe bananas until smooth but still a bit chunky for texture.
  4. Stir in 3/4 cup granulated sugar and 1/4 cup packed brown sugar. Add 1 large egg and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; mix until combined.
  5. Slowly pour in the cooled browned butter and stir gently to blend.
  6. In a separate small bowl, whisk together 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, and 1/2 teaspoon salt.
  7. Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Stir just until no flour pockets remain — do not overmix.
  8. In a small bowl, mix 2 tablespoons granulated sugar with 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon. Brush the loaf batter’s top lightly with 1 tablespoon melted butter, then sprinkle the cinnamon sugar evenly over the surface.
  9. Pour batter into prepared loaf pan. Bake on the middle rack for 55-60 minutes. Test doneness with a toothpick inserted in the center — it should come out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.
  10. Let the banana bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

Brown the butter carefully to avoid burning; stir constantly and remove from heat once nutty aroma appears. Do not overmix the batter to keep the bread tender. Brush the top with melted butter before adding cinnamon sugar to ensure a crunchy topping. If the top browns too fast, tent with foil halfway through baking. Cool bread on a wire rack after 10 minutes to keep crust crisp.

Nutrition

Keywords: banana bread, brown butter, cinnamon sugar, one-bowl recipe, crispy crust, quick banana bread, easy baking

Find it online: https://avabake.com/crispy-one-bowl-brown-butter-banana-bread-recipe-with-cinnamon-sugar-crunch/