Whip up some delicious loaves of whole wheat banana bread flavored with brown sugar and the goodness of whole grains. This combination could quickly become your new favorite!
These whole wheat banana bread mini loafs are every bit as moist and flavorful as you would think. They are easy to make and are perfect as an easy breakfast or snack.
This healthier banana bread is a wonderful way to use up overripe bananas. Or a perfect excuse to buy extra bananas just for baking.
So whether you are looking to increase your whole grain intake, or you are just wanting to make something delicious, you are in the right place. This whole wheat banana bread recipe is sure to please!
Maida Heatter’s Banana Bread
It is the end of the Cake Slice Year. So this is the last bake from Maida Heatter’s Cakes. I say that with really mixed feelings.
I have really enjoyed almost every single thing I’ve made from the book. I have really enjoyed seeing what everyone else made as well.
As much as I love a cookbook with pictures, I have enjoyed the creativity not having something to model you cake after has given us all. But I am REALLLLLLLLLLY looking forward to the new book.
I am actually baking my first cake from it as I am typing this. How’s that for multi-tasking?!
Over the year of baking from Maida’s book, I have come to trust her. So I knew her whole wheat banana bread recipe was going to be delicious.
I love using whole wheat flour where I can, and the bit of nutty flavor it gives along with the brown sugar really made this loaf a delight. Instead of baking one 9″ loaf, I baked three mini loafs.
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Then I sliced them into nice thick slices and packed them up for a camping trip. They were a perfect snack after a long day hiking, canoeing and playing in the creek.
Maida suggests that this loaf tastes even better if you wrap it in plastic wrap and refrigerate it overnight. She also suggests toasting it under a broiler.
I just sliced it up once it was cooled and brought it camping with us. Not a single person complained about it just the way it was!
Can I Use Frozen Bananas?
Yes! If you keep a bag of frozen bananas in the freezer, this is the perfect recipe to use them in. Just pull them out and let them defrost in your mixing bowl.
And remember, the riper the banana, the better. The super spotty brown ones that are to soft to eat as a plain banana work best.
Possible Mix-ins
We like this banana bread just the way the recipe is written. However, you can make it your own or try adding some of the following:
- chopped pecans or walnuts
- chocolate chips
- more spices like cinnamon, allspice, ginger, or cardamom
How do you store banana bread?
If you are going to eat the banana bread within 4-5 days, you can keep it in an airtight container or plastic bag at room temperature. For longer storage, wrap well in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 3 months.
More Great Banana Recipes
If you are looking for more great ways to use bananas, try making some banana pudding. Or whip up a banana cream pie.
We also love banana baked oatmeal, banana cake, and banana oat muffins. What are your favorite ways to use bananas?
Whole Wheat Banana Bread
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup whole wheat flour
- ½ cup all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- 1 dash nutmeg
- ¼ cup buttermilk
- ½ cup butter
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¾ cup light brown sugar packed
- 3 ripe bananas mashed
- 1 large egg
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease a 9-inch loaf pan (or 3 mini loaf pans).
- In a small bowl, stir together flours, baking soda, salt and nutmeg.1 cup whole wheat flour, ½ cup all purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, ¾ teaspoon salt, 1 dash nutmeg
- In your mixer, cream butter. Blend in the vanilla, egg and sugar and beat well.½ cup butter, ½ teaspoon vanilla extract, 1 large egg, ¾ cup light brown sugar
- Mix together buttermilk and banana in a small bowl.¼ cup buttermilk, 3 ripe bananas
- Alternate adding the flour mixture and banana mixture until everything is incorporated. Stir only as much as you need to in order to get it all mixed in.
- Pour into prepared pan and bake for 50-55 minutes (or 40-45 for the mini loaves) or until it tests done when a toothpick is inserted.
- Cool in the pan for about 20 minutes and then turn out and cool completely on a wire rack.
Notes
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I love that whole wheat is used in this. This sounds like a wonderfully hearty loaf! I had a hard time choosing too but was glad I could pick something simple for this month.
It was so good! The banana kept it nice and moist and the brown sugar and whole wheat really gave it that warmth and interest. I have a hard time choosing, so I like having a limited list each month but it was kind of fun to just pick something and go with it!
I am always looking for new banana bread recipes, so I am looking forward to trying this one too – it looks amazing. And what great multitasking skills – baking from the new book already as you typed up this one. Looking forward to our big reveal next month!
I'm either way ahead or way behind… so I try to shoot for way ahead when possible 😉 I love trying new banana bread recipes too and this one definitely ranked right up there!
I bet this is delicious! I do love the idea of toasting it under a broiler. Must try!
Doesn't that sound great? Since ours went to the campground, I didn't have a chance to try it that way. I will definitely have to make it again and give the broiler a try!
I will have to try baking with whole wheat flour Carlee. I love banana bread and this sounds good. Thanks for the recipe to make it. Hope you have a nice weekend.
Julie xo
I don't use it in many cakes, but love it in pizza dough, bread and even muffins.Have a great weekend, Julie!
I love making mini loaves. The club sounds amazing. Have a great weekend.
They are cute and easier to freeze (or gift!) It is a lot of fun… if you want to join you are more than welcome! Have a great weekend, Quinn!
It's funny that three of us have chosen to bake with bananas when we had the whole book to choose from. Your loaf sounds delicious
It's funny that so far three of us have chosen to bake with bananas even though we had the whole book to choose from. Your loaf sounds lovely
I thought that was funny too! It's hard to go wrong with a banana bake 😉
I found a honey wheat banana recipe I've made twice, and I love it! This afternoon I found myself wanting to make it again, but it came to a halt because I'm out of eggs. Now reading your post isn't helping my baking itch. Im going to bookmark this recipe for me to make tomorrow! It looks delicious!
It is funny how often I find myself baking with bananas. I wouldn't have said it was one of my favorite flavors of cake/bread but judging by the frequency with which I bake with them, I think they must rank up there! I can't wait to try your peanut butter version!
This sounds delicious and a good alternative to my go-to banana chocolate chip bread.
Mmm, banana chocolate chip bread is good too! This was a fun twist on banana bread, I love trying new versions.
I like using whole wheat flour as well and I bet it's the perfect compliment to the bananas. A little nutmeg in there sounds fantastic!
Thanks Andrea! We really enjoyed the flavor and texture of this recipe. It's always fun to try a new banana baked good!