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Muffins, Quick Bread, Coffee Cake & Cinnamon Rolls | January 31, 2017

Favorite Sour Cream Banana Bread

I’ve been a fan of banana bread since I was a young girl. Give me a glass of milk and a thick slice of banana bread and I’m one happy girl!  

To achieve a super moist banana bread, I believe it must include one or more key ingredients: buttermilk, yogurt or sour cream. Our Favorite Sour Cream Banana Bread is made with sour cream and buttermilk.

Favorite Sour Cream Banana Bread

I’ve been making banana bread for years. First, because I love banana bread. Actually, I love almost any quick bread. Wonder why it’s called quick bread? Breads that are leavened by using something other than yeast or eggs to leaven (raise) the dough or batter are considered to be quick breads. Usually, sweetened breads such as pumpkin bread or banana bread are referred to as quick breads.

Favorite Sour Cream Banana Bread

The second reason I make banana bread frequently is I often have bananas that have over ripe on my counter which end up either as a smoothie ingredient or in banana bread.

The best type of banana for this recipe is a very ripe banana. At least two weeks old. I tend to place bananas in my fridge when they start to become too ripe. When they are really past their prime, I peel and then place them in a large ziplock bag in the freezer for use in baking.

When I want to use the banana, I remove from the bag, microwave for about 30 seconds or until thawed and then use as directed. Yes, the banana will totally be slimy and soft, this is the best texture for banana bread. Remember, you want the bread to be moist, and a very overripe banana will produce moist bread!

Favorite Sour Cream Banana Bread

The key to making moist banana bread is using really overripe bananas, and also using either buttermilk, yogurt (I like plain Greek yogurt) or sour cream . It is almost impossible to make dry banana bread if you use these ingredients. This recipe will convince you to add sour cream in your next batch of banana bread.  How many times have you had a little leftover sour cream in the fridge and no plan to use it?

Mix up a batch of banana bread and freeze the loaf for later. It is the perfect way to use up ingredients that might otherwise spoil! When you’re ready to eat or share, let it thaw on the counter for an hour. If you are gift giving, I like to wrap it up in some parchment paper and tie with a bit of Baker’s Twine, which I have in several colors.

Favorite Sour Cream Banana Bread
Favorite Sour Cream Banana Bread

I know you’re going to love this recipe. It’s quick and easy and a good excuse to fire up the oven on a cold winter day.  Happy baking!

5 from 21 votes
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Sour Cream Banana Bread

Course Breakfast
Cuisine American
Keyword banana bread, quick bread
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 55 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings 1 -2 loaves
Author abountifulkitchen

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter softened for 15-18 seconds in microwave
  • 1 1/2 cups sugar
  • 1/2 cup sour cream regular or light
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup buttermilk shaken before pouring
  • 1 1/4-1 1/2 cup mashed overripe bananas about 2 medium bananas*
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt

Instructions

  1. Grease and one large or two medium loaf pans.
  2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees, place rack in middle of oven.
  3. Place the butter in a bowl. Mix butter and sugar together until smooth. Add sour cream and eggs.
  4. Beat until smooth again. Add buttermilk, bananas and vanilla. Mix until all ingredients are incorporated. There may be a few bits of banana that are not completely mashed.
  5. Add all remaining dry ingredients. Mix on low speed just until wet and dry ingredients are combined, about 20 seconds. Do not over mix, do not mix on high speed.
  6. Spoon batter into prepared pans.
  7. Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes (for two medium pans) 50-55 minutes for one large loaf pan, or until toothpick inserted in middle of loaf comes out with a few moist crumbs attached. When the loaf is touched in the middle, the loaf should spring back.

Recipe Notes

-This recipe will make one large or two medium size loaves of banana bread.

-The recipe calls for 1 1/2 cups or about 2 medium bananas. The bananas will vary in size. I usually do not measure out the bananas added to the recipe. It is not necessary to mash the bananas beforehand if using very ripe (mushy) fruit. If the bananas will not easily be broken up with the mixer, mash ahead of time in a bowl or cup with a fork.

-This recipe freezes well. Let the bread cool completely and then let sit on counter, wrapped in saran wrap to thaw. Slice and serve.

-When filling the pans before baking, the batter should fill the pan about 3/4 full for a nice rounded loaf top.

52 thoughts on “Favorite Sour Cream Banana Bread

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Recipe Rating




  1. 5 stars
    This was super yummy and moist. It’s my new “go-to” banana bread recipe. I made three loaves and a dozen jumbo banana muffins too! I used plain yogurt instead of sour cream. I (obviously) made enough to share, and my family and friends were so glad I did! We ate it for breakfast, lunch and dessert.

    1. Thanks Sherry! I love using plain yogurt as a sour cream substitute too. Have your tried ABK’s Banana Bread made with coconut oil? Thanks for reading ABK
      xo
      Si

  2. This turned out so great. My Mother in Law always bakes her banana bread in a Bundt pan, so I’ve adopted this too. It turned out perfect baking for 45 minutes.

  3. 5 stars
    This is delicious! Definitely a new go-to recipe! I whipped up a maple glaze for the top. Very treaty and perfect for a cold winter day, thank you!!

    1. Katie,
      Thanks for your positive feedback. I’m so glad you like it! This is a great recipe to make a double batch of and take to a neighbor. Enjoy!
      xo,
      Si

  4. I’m making this tomorrow and planning on using yogurt instead of sour cream, which seems to be loved by the comments I’ve read. Wondering your thoughts on a different sweetener in place of the sugar? Applesauce? Maple or agave syrup? Trying to cut down where I can…

    1. Hi Rachel, I haven’t tried making this with alternative sweetener before. I’ve heard stevia/truvia is a good sweetener to use. You could try that, just make sure to follow the measurements according to the package (stevia is usually a lot sweeter than sugar). Hope this helps and thanks for asking!
      xo
      Si

  5. Hi Sy!
    Question- in the blog part of the recipe you said to add “EITHER” buttermilk, yogurt OR sour cream, but in the recipe you had 1/2 c buttermilk AND sour cream. Do you use both? just want to make sure I get it right 😉
    ♥️Leslie

    1. Sorry for the confusion, Leslie, it’s supposed to be buttermilk and either yogurt or sour cream. Hope this makes more sense and thanks for asking!
      xo
      Si

  6. 5 stars
    Thanks for the perfect banana bread recipe! With recipes in the past the cooking time was always off for me. I found it either being too dry or undercooked. But this recipe was perfectly accurate.

    I doubled the recipe and poured it into two medium loaf pans. I didn’t have quite enough leftover for a third loaf, so I stirred in a few chocolate chips and got just less then a dozen banana chocolate chip muffins. My family gobbled everything up in a weekend!

    1. Great idea to throw in chocolate chips, Lynnae! That sounds so yummy. This is definitely my favorite banana bread recipe to make for the family and I’m glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for sharing,
      xo
      Si

  7. 5 stars
    Most moist banana bread I’ve ever had! I made one big loaf and ended up having to leave it in about 20-25 more minutes. 55 minutes just wasn’t enough for it to cook in the middle completely!

    1. The sour cream really adds such a difference to this banana bread. The cooking time can vary depending on how high you live and what the type of oven, but I’m glad it turned out so well. Thanks for sharing, Hailee!
      xo
      Si

  8. 5 stars
    Love this recipe! It will be my go to banana bread recipe going forward. My first batch I accidentally only added 2 cups of flour rather than the 2 1/2 cups and it was obviously underdone in the middle. I did however eat the edges that were cooked and couldn’t wait to make another batch because it was so moist and had the perfect amount of banana flavor!

    1. I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Krystel! It’s one of my favorite banana bread recipes too, the sour cream makes all the difference. Thanks for sharing and for reading ABK,
      xo
      Si

  9. 5 stars
    This is now the ONLY banana bread recipe I use. My husband loves it. All 3 kids gobble
    It down. It’s the perfect combo of flavor and texture. It freezes great too! Love it and highly recommend you make this and stuff your face with it. Your tastebuds will thank you

  10. 5 stars
    My mother made a banana bread recipe with sour cream when I was a child. I didn’t think another recipe could be any better. I think the buttermilk puts it over the edge. Absolutely, the best banana bread recipe!

  11. 5 stars
    Finally, I found THE ONE. This is a fantastic recipe. I make it regularly for friends and family. Wrapping it in the parchment and twine as seen above adds a professional touch that fools people into thinking that I’m much fancier than I am. 🙂

  12. Don’t tell my mom I have replaced her banana bread recipe with this one! I love how moist this bread it is. It is always gone the same day I make it!

  13. This is the best banana bread recipe! My very picky 8-year-old asks for it all the time! I made it with sour cream and yogurt and they are both delicious!

  14. Wondering if you can substitute coconut oil for the butter? Any other butter substitutes would be appreciated! Looking forward to baking 🙂

  15. This really and truly is the best banana bread recipe I have made! I come from a long line of amazing cooks and bakers and have made plenty of banana bread recipes, and I just love this one. It’s so moist and full of flavor, and bakes up perfectly. It’s the perfect thing to take to a neighbor, friend, share with co-workers, or eat half of the loaf yourself!

    1. Hi Samantha,
      It will be better if you use buttermilk, you can make your own by adding 1 tablespoon of lemon juice to a cup. Fill the 1 cup measure with milk or half and half and let it sit for 10 minutes. Then proceed with recipe!

  16. Hi can you sub coconut oil for the butter in this recipe? I know you have another recipe that uses coconut oil but that doesn’t have buttermilk. I just got some buttermilk and want to use this recipe. Hope this made sense lol

    1. Hi Josie, I would not use coconut oil in this recipe. My other recipe for Banana Bread with Coconut Oil does have buttermilk, so I would try that one instead. Thank you for reading ABK!
      xo
      Si

  17. 5 stars
    This recipe has become our very favorite banana bread! It turns out great every time! I always bake it in 2 pans.

  18. 5 stars
    Another winner from ABK! I tripled the recipe and used it to make muffins (made 5 dozen, standard sized). The banana flavor is just right and the texture is neither too dense noor too fluffy. I added mini chocolate chips and chopped walnuts and the batter was thick enough to keep them suspended as they baked, making all the add-ins perfectly distributed throughout the finished muffins. They turned out beautifully and my family loved them. Thanks, Si!

    1. Tally,
      First I love your name! And thank you for the review. We love this recipe and I absolutely LOVE your banana, chocolate and walnut combination!
      XO
      Si

    1. Hey Evy! I highly recommend using buttermilk. If you substitute for regular milk it will give it a different flavor.
      You can make your own by adding 1 tablespoon of lemon juice to a cup. Fill the 1 cup measure with milk or half and half and let it sit for 10 minutes. Then proceed with the recipe!
      Hope that helps!
      SI

  19. 5 stars
    This banana bread is so good! It turns out nice and moist and so flavorful! What a treat!! Love it!

  20. 5 stars
    I have made this so many times. I have some on my counter right now! I have always used the Lion House recipe…but this replaces it as my favorite! I didn’t realize that my loaf pans are medium, not large, so my first batch overflowed. The next time I used my regular pan and some smaller pans. Then I purchased a large loaf pan and it was perfect. Now I make whatever size I feel like; smaller ones if I want to freeze some for later, or large because I know we will eat it within a few days.

  21. I’ve tried many, many banana bread recipes over the years to see if I could find one that tops my mom’s recipe that I grew up with. This is the first one that has truly surprised me! I couldn’t believe how moist and flavorful it turned out! This will be my new go to!

  22. 5 stars
    Fabulous recipe! My friend gave me a loaf and my kids gobbled it up! Soo happy to find a great recipe that EVERYONE LOVES!! Tried and true banana bread!

  23. 5 stars
    Best banana bread ever! I use two 8×4 pans and it’s always perfect. We like to sprinkle sugar on top for a yummy crust. It never disappoints.

  24. 5 stars
    This recipe is full proof. I’ve made it so many times and always double the recipe to bring to my kids teachers who are so appreciative!

  25. So excited to try! Have you ever doubled this in two big pans? Just wondering on the baking time if so 😊 thank you!

    1. Hi Amy!

      Yes, this recipe can be doubled and the baking time should be approximately the same. Just continue checking it.

      Best,
      Jillian @ABK Team