Better than Starbucks Banana Walnut Bread (with cream cheese frosting!) is a new fall ritual. Imagine no waiting in line…no worry about getting the mangy looking slice at the back of the case…no sad face after taking your last bite ~ because you’ve got the whole dang loaf sitting right in your kitchen!
Starbucks banana bread is good…mine is fabulous!
That first pumpkin spice latte of the season is totally worth standing in line for, it’s part of the whole change of seasons ritual for me. But after that, I roll up my sleeves, tie on my apron, and get down to it in my own kitchen. Instead of spending my hard earned money at Starbucks, I like to make my own. This better than Starbucks banana walnut bread is better because it’s fresher, chunkier, and it’s got a thick layer of tangy cream cheese frosting. Touchรฉ Starbucks!
what you’ll need
- banana
- walnuts
- flour
- sugar ~ both granulated and confectioner’s
- egg
- vegetable oil
- cream cheese
- milk
- baking powder, baking soda, salt
- cinnamon
- vanilla extract
The nice thing about this particular bread is that, in addition to being tender and moist, it’s got a chunky texture from lots of walnuts and banana. I don’t mash the banana to a pulp, I leave small bits in there. If you’re a super banana freak you could even take an extra banana and chop it into small pieces and add them as well.
I like to slice it in satisfyingly fat coffee shop style slices, too, that makes it feel extra luxurious.
what makes this banana loaf better than Starbucks?
Well, the thick layer of vanilla scented cream cheese frosting, for one! That takes a good banana bread to the next level. I spread it on nice and thick so I can get a bit of frosting in every bite.
we love to bake with bananas!
A quick search for ‘banana‘ on tvfgi brings up lots of other options if you’re craving mashed banana ~ how about my Pineapple Banana Bread, my Bourbon Banana Butter, or my super popular Banana Blondies? My Banana Cake with Spiced Vanilla Buttercream is a personal favorite. And if you’ve only got one lonely banana available, definitely make my One Banana Banana Bread with Chocolate Chips.
Better than Starbucks Chunky Banana Walnut Bread
Equipment
- standard 9×5 loaf pan
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups flour
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 extra large egg (you can use a large egg if that's all you have)
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil, I used safflower
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup roughly mashed banana
- 2/3 cups chopped walnuts, plus more for garnish
frosting
- 2 Tbsp cream cheese, at room temperature
- 1 heaping cup confectioner’s sugar
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- milk or cream to thin
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325F. Spray and line a standard 9×5 loaf pan with parchment paper with long ends. This is so you can lift it out easily for slicing.
- Whisk the flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and sugar together in a large mixing bowl or a stand mixer.
- Beat in the egg, oil, and vanilla.
- Fold in the banana and nuts, and make sure everything is well combined. Turn into the pan and even out the batter. Bake for about an hour, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out without wet batter clinging to it. (Moist crumbs are fine.) Let the bread cool for 15 minutes in the pan, then remove to a rack to cool completely before frosting.
- Blend the cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla with enough milk or cream to make a spreadable frosting. Spread over the top of the cooled bread, Sprinkle with chopped walnuts.
Notes
- This bread bakes at 325F.ย This allows the entire loaf to cook through without the edges getting too dry.ย Be sure your oven is calibrated correctly.ย I use an inexpensive oven thermometer which I leave in the oven at all time, and always check before putting anything in to bake.
- Loaf pans can vary in size.ย I used a standard metal 9×5 pan.ย If yours is smaller or larger, or made of glass, the baking time will vary.ย
I just got home from the store and realized I forgot to buy oil! Can I substitute Butter? And how much.would I use?
Use the same amount, melted.
Wow! This is a great recipe. The cake is moist and delicious, and the frosting really is “the icing on the cake”. We served it to or B & B guests as well as having some for ourselves, and they asked for some to take home! I agreed ( reluctantly ; )). Now to make more to use up all the frozen bananas in the freezer. This recipe is a real keeper – Thanks!
If I don’t ice this is it vegan?
Margie
I have made SOO many banana bread recipes from pinterest over the years. And this was hands down one of the best recipes I’ve made. It was moist and the frosting was perfection!!
This recipe is now my new go to for banana bread! Its moist but with the slightly crisp outside edge that we love. I had 4 very overripe bananas to use up and was delicious. Didn’t last longer than three days in our house! I made it without the frosting because I didn’t have the ingredients on hand. Id be keen to hear how others are storing it with the frosting on? Im assuming you can’t store in the fridge. Will be making again for sure.
This is the first recipe of your’s I have tried. It was easy an oh, so, delicious. You have so many recipies I am anxious to re-create..they are so beautifully photographed. Thank you for what you have put out.
Welcome in Deena, you’ve got a lot of good eats ahead of you ๐
How many large eggs would you use?Do most people buy large eggs?
You can use a large egg, no problem.
excellent recipe. very easy. icing a must which gives it a little sweetness. keep up the good work ๐ ๐
Moist and delicious banana bread! I used 3 medium bananas (previously frozen) thawed, drained and 1 small ripe banana. The cream cheese frosting was amazing. A definite keeper!
Once more an incredibly delicious recipe! Everyone Iโve given this to is blown away with how yummy it is. I really like that the bread itself is not very sweet, making the icing even more of a player.
Iโve never been impressed by banana bread, but this is my new favorite of all your recipesโฆand your recipes are stars!