Deliciously simple and straightforward banana walnut bread
recipe made with butter instead of the usual vegetable oil.
Banana bread and banana muffins have previously been featured on Nomsies Kitchen. You can have a read of all those previous recipes here. It includes my all-time favourite recipe for Banana Muffins with Chocolate Chunks and Hazelnuts. However, I always like trying out new recipes for banana bread or muffins, I just can’t resist.
I have always wondered about the difference in using butter compared to vegetable
oil in banana bread. After reading many rather lively debates and articles on
the internet, my conclusion is that using vegetable oil produces a lighter,
fluffier crumb whereas using butter produces a richer and heavier, albeit more
flavourful bread.
This is actually my first time using butter in a banana bread simply because using
butter usually calls for the use of a mixer. If I can get away without using a
mixer, I will. I thought now is as good a time as any to get rid of this
prejudice of mine which is truly one that is inspired by laziness and give it a
go.
End result? Well, I must be consistent and stick with my earlier
conclusion. Using butter definitely adds flavour, and when the bread is baking
the smell from the mix of banana and butter is indeed heavenly – something that
is missing from ones made with vegetable oil. The bread itself is also richer
and denser than banana bread made using vegetable oil.
In all fairness, it also was not that difficult to use a mixer here.
Just make sure the butter is properly softened first. You might notice that I
used 3 teaspoons of Nutella in the recipe, this is purely optional. The reason
I added so little was because there was all that I have left in the jar at the
time.
Use this recipe if you are looking for a deliciously simple and
straightforward banana bread recipe. You will not be disappointed.
