Dora Benston's Pioneer Banana Bread

Experience the timeless comfort of *Dora Benston’s Pioneer Banana Bread*, a classic recipe that blends homestyle simplicity with rich, moist flavor. Made with three ripe bananas as the star ingredient and enhanced by the creaminess of yogurt or sour cream, this banana bread achieves an irresistibly tender crumb. A touch of brown sugar adds caramel-like depth, while optional add-ins like chopped walnuts and cinnamon create customizable bursts of flavor. Perfect for breakfast, a snack, or even dessert, this loaf is easy to prepare in just 15 minutes and bakes to golden perfection in under an hour. Whether you serve it warm with a pat of butter or enjoy it plain, this banana bread will quickly become a family favorite.

Nutriscore Rating: 58/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:60 mins

Total Time:75 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 3 large ripe bananas
• 0.5 cup unsalted butter
• 0.75 cup granulated sugar
• 0.25 cup brown sugar, packed
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 cup plain yogurt or sour cream
• 0.5 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
• 0.5 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan and line the bottom with parchment paper for easy removal.

Step 2

Peel the bananas and place them in a large mixing bowl. Mash them well using a fork or potato masher until smooth.

Step 3

Melt the butter and add it to the mashed bananas. Stir in the granulated sugar and brown sugar until combined.

Step 4

Beat in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract.

Step 5

In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and ground cinnamon (if using).

Step 6

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the bread dense.

Step 7

Fold in the yogurt or sour cream to give the batter moisture and a tender texture. If adding nuts, gently fold them in as well.

Step 8

Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan, spreading it out evenly.

Step 9

Bake in the preheated oven for 55-65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Begin checking for doneness at the 55-minute mark.

Step 10

Allow the bread to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then carefully transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 11

Slice and serve warm or at room temperature. Store leftovers wrapped tightly at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1197.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3024.2

Total Fat 105.4g	0%
Saturated Fat 38.2g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat g
Cholesterol 511.6mg	0%
Sodium 2652.6mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 491.5g	0%
Dietary Fiber 21.9g	0%
Total Sugars 254.7g
Protein 56.0g	0%

Vitamin D 80IU	0%
Calcium 361.1mg	0%
Iron 16.8mg	0%
Potassium 2376.5mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 30.2%

Protein: 7.1%

Carbs: 62.6%