![\"Snickerdoodle](\"https:\/\/www.somethingswanky.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/DSC_0834-620x936.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nVersatility is king with banana-based desserts, and we’ve developed an array of variations over the years. Some are slight variations on the theme, such as honey whole wheat banana bread, but others push the banana peel, so to speak. And, from unexpected flavors (Red Velvet? Yes.) to different formats (can you say Banana Bread Donuts? YES!). <\/p>\n\n\n\n
But first, let’s talk about that main ingredient. \ud83c\udf4c\u2764\ufe0f\ud83c\udf5e<\/p>\n\n\n
![\"Banana](\"https:\/\/www.somethingswanky.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/DSC_9645-620x936.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nWhat Exactly Is Banana Bread?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Is it cake or is it bread? Well, banana bread strikes the perfect balance between cake and bread. It\u2019s a moist, flavorful loaf that is easy to prepare like cake but has a dense chewiness that earns it the bread moniker. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- The Basics:<\/strong>\n
- \n
- Ingredients<\/strong>: Ripe bananas are the star of the show. Their natural sweetness infuses the bread, while flour, eggs, butter (or oil), and sugar create the structure and flavor.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Texture<\/strong>: Banana bread is tender, slightly dense, and wonderfully moist. The banana chunks add delightful pockets of sweetness.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Flavor<\/strong>: Expect a warm, banana-forward taste with hints of vanilla and cinnamon. It\u2019s like a cozy hug in every bite.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Versatility<\/strong>:\n
- \n
- Add-Ins<\/strong>: Get creative! Chocolate chips, chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans), or dried fruit (raisins or cranberries) can elevate your banana bread.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Variations<\/strong>: Try whole wheat banana bread, vegan versions, or even swirl in some Nutella for an indulgent twist. We’ll provide a lot of options.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
Those Bananas in Banana-Based Desserts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Choose Ripe Bananas<\/strong>: Start with bananas that are ripe or slightly overripe. The skin should be yellow with brown spots. The riper the banana, the sweeter and easier it will be to mash. And if you didn’t plan ahead, we wrote a post about how to ripen bananas quickly<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"How](\"https:\/\/www.somethingswanky.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/DSC_2325-620x936.jpeg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Our Favorite Banana Bread Recipes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
First, we have to start with two recipes, one if the most popular recipe on our entire site, the other is the best classic banana bread … ever. As a result, we can’t celebrate banana bread without them!<\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"Chocolate](\"https:\/\/www.somethingswanky.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/DSC_4605-scaled-620x936.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nChocolate Chip Banana Bread<\/strong><\/a>
This finely tuned recipe is a perennial favorite here at Something Swanky<\/a>. And for good reason. This banana bread is moist, fluffy, and loaded with chocolate chips. Accordingly, it is perfect for breakfast, snack, or dessert. Plus, it is super simple to make with just a few ingredients and a bowl. <\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.somethingswanky.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/09\/DSC_1182-620x936.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nThe BEST Banana Bread Ever<\/a><\/strong>
This is not just any<\/em> banana bread. This is magic banana bread. THE BEST banana bread in the whole entire world ever. It has a moist, tender crumb that pairs with the crunch of walnuts in the most beautiful contrast of textures to have ever happened in a bread.<\/p>\n\n\n\nVariations on the Banana-Based Desserts Theme<\/h2>\n\n\n
\n![\"Whole](\"https:\/\/www.somethingswanky.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/DSC_2190-scaled-620x936.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nWhole-Grain Banana Bread<\/a><\/strong>
This Whole-Grain Banana Bread is the King Arthur Flour-declared 2018 Recipe of the Year! And for good reason. The whole wheat flour gives this bread a hearty texture and flavor.<\/p>\n\n\n\nHoney Whole Wheat Banana Bread<\/a><\/strong>
Whole wheat banana bread is a great healthy option that doesn\u2019t compromise on taste. What’s healthy? Four bananas, NO OIL, whole wheat flour, and sweetened with honey. <\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"One](\"https:\/\/www.somethingswanky.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/DSC5008-scaled-620x411.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nOne Banana Bread Recipe<\/strong><\/a>
Yes, you can make banana bread with only ONE BANANA<\/em>! This ONE Banana Bread recipe is our favorite for those times when you\u2019re stuck with that one lonely, overripe banana on the counter. <\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"Super](\"https:\/\/www.somethingswanky.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/05\/DSC_2334-620x936.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nReese’s Cup Peanut Butter Banana Bread<\/a><\/strong>
This bread is dangerously delicious. If you love peanut butter and chocolate (and banana bread!), then you are in the right place, friends. \u2026or the wrong place. Depending on your self control.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"My](\"https:\/\/www.somethingswanky.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/DSC_0685-620x936.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nBanana Bread with Cream Cheese Frosting<\/strong><\/a>
Moist, thick, and bursting with aromatic flavors like cinnamon and nutmeg. This family recipe has FOUR bananas, which adds a lot of moisture and is topped with cream cheese frosting<\/a> and pecans.<\/p>\n\n\n\nLemon Poppyseed Banana Bread<\/strong><\/a>
Somehow the flavors just marry together, and you get both<\/em> the banana and lemon-y taste in every bite. It\u2019s like eating spring-time in bread form! This bread would be delicious with a glaze or a dusting of powdered sugar too\u2026 you know, if you happen to like things extra suh-weet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\ud83c\udf4b\ud83c\udf4b\ud83c\udf4b Lemon fan? Check out this roundup of our best LEMON DESSERTS<\/a>! \ud83c\udf4b\ud83c\udf4b\ud83c\udf4b<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Banana Bread: The Outliers<\/h2>\n\n\n
\n![\"Chocolate](\"https:\/\/www.somethingswanky.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/DSC_0834-620x936.jpeg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nSnickerdoodle Banana Bread<\/a><\/strong>
How do you improve on a classic banana bread loaf? Add a subtle swirl of cinnamon sugar through the center and a not-so-subtle crispy sugary coating on the outside. <\/p>\n\n\n\nPeanut Butter Oreo Banana Bread<\/a><\/strong>
Chocolate, peanut butter, Oreo, and banana lovers\u2013 this bread is for you! You can\u2019t take a bite without getting a mouthful of cookies and cream.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"This](\"https:\/\/www.somethingswanky.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/DSC_5297-620x936.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nBirthday Cake Banana Bread<\/a><\/strong>
This banana bread is perfect for a special birthday breakfast or just a fun way to use up those old bananas! Incredibly moist, easy to make, and so much fun.<\/p>\n\n\n\nBrownie Mix Banana Bread<\/strong><\/a>
Yes, you read that right. It\u2019s fudgy. Really, really<\/em>, brownie-like fudgy. But banana bread at the same time. Which is, of course, a match made in heaven! We hope you love this as much as we do! \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.somethingswanky.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/09\/DSC_2276-edited.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nScotcheroo Banana Bread<\/strong><\/a>
Peanut butter + butterscotch + chocolate is like a million times better<\/em> than just peanut butter OR butterscotch OR chocolate. More than mildly obsessed here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"Red](\"https:\/\/www.somethingswanky.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/DSC_2106-edited-titled.png\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nRed Velvet Banana Bread<\/a><\/strong>
Like\u2026 where-have-you-been-all-my-life kind of good. Cake mix gives the bread a distinct red velvet<\/em> flavor. And this bread so moist — not to mention beautiful! <\/p>\n\n\n\nNutella Chocolate Chip Banana Bread<\/strong><\/a>
The Nutella flavor may be subtle (at least to Nutella enthusiasts like us), but it definitely adds an extra layer of chocolate flavor to the bread. Which makes it just perfect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"My](\"https:\/\/www.somethingswanky.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/DSC_8184-620x936.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nBanana Streusel, Muffins and Cake!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Brown Sugar Banana Streusel<\/strong><\/a>
Brown sugar really amps up the moist factor, and it has a coffee cake-like streusel on top. Once you a little vanilla glaze drizzle to make it taste like you\u2019re biting into a giant cinnamon roll.<\/p>\n\n\n\nBanana Nut Muffin<\/a><\/strong>
Banana nut muffins are the perfect solution when you want a sweet banana-infused treat for breakfast. Your entire family will love our unique recip<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe Donuts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"These](\"https:\/\/www.somethingswanky.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/DSC_1556-620x936.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nSamoas Banana Bread Donuts<\/strong><\/a>
Who says banana bread has to come in a loaf? These moist banana bread donuts are baked to perfection, dipped in chocolate, and smothered with coconut and caramel. The banana bread reincarnation of Samoas.<\/p>\n\n\n\nBanana Bread Donuts<\/strong><\/a>
Last, but SO NOT LEAST, these moist banana bread donuts are baked, not fried! So simple to make and so delicious with a rich chocolate glaze on top.<\/p>\n\n\n\nMore Creative Banana-Based Desserts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The party doesn’t stop with breads, muffins and cupcakes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Check out our list below for some banana-based desserts that you may have never even heard of before!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Banana Pudding Cake<\/a><\/strong>
Banana pudding also forms the basis of another deliciously creative banana-based dessert. We promise you will not regret fiving our recipe for banana pudding cake a whirl!<\/p>\n\n\n\nBanana Chocolate Chip Cookie<\/a><\/strong>
Did you even know that there’s such a thing as a banana chocolate chip cookie? Well, there is! And once you try our recipe, you’ll be thanking us for introducing you to this delightful treat!<\/p>\n\n\n\n - Variations<\/strong>: Try whole wheat banana bread, vegan versions, or even swirl in some Nutella for an indulgent twist. We’ll provide a lot of options.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
- Texture<\/strong>: Banana bread is tender, slightly dense, and wonderfully moist. The banana chunks add delightful pockets of sweetness.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Ingredients<\/strong>: Ripe bananas are the star of the show. Their natural sweetness infuses the bread, while flour, eggs, butter (or oil), and sugar create the structure and flavor.<\/li>\n\n\n\n