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Copycat Starbucks Banana Bread Recipe The Secret to Making It Moist at Home
Ravi Sharma

Starbucks Banana Bread

Starbucks Banana Bread Recipe: A homemade copycat version of the coffee chain's popular pastry, known for its dense, moist texture, sweet banana flavor, and nutty topping.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 55 minutes
Cool Time 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings: 10 Servings
Course: Breakfast, Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American
Calories: 270
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2-3 ripe bananas: The riper the better. We’re talking spotty brown bananas. They bring the sweetness and moisture.
  • 1/3 cup melted butter: Unsalted cooled slightly.
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar: For that classic sweetness.
  • 1 large egg: Beaten at room temperature.
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Pure if you have it.
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda: This helps it rise.
  • Pinch of salt: To balance the flavors.
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour: Spoon and level it—don’t scoop directly from the bag!
  • 1/2 cup walnuts chopped: Optional, but highly recommended for that authentic Starbucks crunch. You can also use pecans.
  • Sour cream secret: 1/4 cup of sour cream or plain yogurt. This is my secret weapon to get that ultra-moist signature Starbucks texture.

Method
 

Step 1: Preparation
  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan with butter or non-stick spray.
Step 2: Mash
  1. In a large bowl, mash ripe bananas with a fork until smooth. Stir in the melted butter.
    2-3 ripe bananas: The riper, 1/3 cup melted butter: Unsalted
Step 3: Mix Wet
  1. Mix sugar, beaten egg, and vanilla into the bowl. Stir in sour cream (or yogurt) until combined.
    3/4 cup granulated sugar: For that classic sweetness., 1 large egg: Beaten, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Pure, Sour cream secret: 1/4 cup of sour cream or plain yogurt. This is my secret weapon to get that ultra-moist
Step 4: Combine
  1. Sprinkle baking soda and salt over batter. Mix gently. Add flour and stir just until combined (do not overmix). Fold in most of the walnuts.
    1 teaspoon baking soda: This helps it rise., Pinch of salt: To balance the flavors., 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour: Spoon and level it—don’t scoop directly from the bag!, 1/2 cup walnuts
Step 5: Baking
  1. Pour batter into prepared pan. Sprinkle remaining walnuts on top. Bake for 55-65 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean.
    1/2 cup walnuts
Step 6: Cooling
  1. Cool in pan for 10-15 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.

Notes

  • Banana Wisdom: Don't throw away those black bananas! They are liquid gold for this recipe. If your bananas aren't ripe enough, you can place them (unpeeled) on a baking sheet in a 300°F oven for 15-20 minutes until they turn black. Let them cool, and they’ll be perfectly soft and sweet.
  • The Toothpick Test: Ovens run differently. If the top of your bread is getting too dark before the center is done, loosely tent a piece of aluminum foil over the top for the last 15 minutes of baking.