If you’re looking for a delightful treat that brings together the comforting sweetness of ripe bananas and the burst of fresh blueberries in every bite, this Blueberry Banana Bread Recipe is your new go-to comfort food. It’s moist, tender, and packed with natural flavors, making it ideal for breakfast, a cozy snack, or a lovely dessert. The soft crumb and the juicy pockets of blueberries create a perfect harmony that will keep you coming back for more.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Blueberry Banana Bread Recipe calls for simple, everyday ingredients that come together beautifully to create a loaf bursting with flavor and the perfect texture. Each ingredient plays a crucial role in crafting this memorable bread, from moisture and sweetness to that wonderful fruity essence and fluffy crumb.
- All-purpose flour: The backbone of the bread, giving it structure and a soft crumb.
- Baking soda: Helps the bread rise and become light and airy.
- Salt: Enhances the sweetness and balances the flavors.
- Unsalted butter: Adds richness and keeps the bread moist.
- Granulated sugar: Provides sweetness and assists in tenderizing the loaf.
- Large eggs: Bind the ingredients together and contribute to the texture.
- Vanilla extract: Brings warmth and depth to the flavor profile.
- Ripe bananas: The star ingredient offering natural sweetness and moistness.
- Fresh or frozen blueberries: Little bursts of juicy goodness that complement the banana perfectly.
How to Make Blueberry Banana Bread Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Pan
Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and greasing a 9×5-inch loaf pan with butter or cooking spray. This ensures your bread won’t stick and will come out perfectly shaped after baking.
Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. This uniform mix is essential for even distribution of the leavening agent and salt so your banana bread rises properly and tastes balanced.
Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar
In a large bowl, use a mixer to cream the softened butter with the sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy—this usually takes 3 to 5 minutes. This step is crucial for a tender texture and helps the sugar dissolve nicely.
Step 4: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Beat in the eggs one at a time, making sure each one is fully incorporated before adding the next. After the eggs, stir in the vanilla extract, which adds a lovely aromatic flavor enhancing the sweet notes of bananas and berries.
Step 5: Mash the Bananas
Peel and mash your ripe bananas in a separate bowl until mostly smooth but with a few small lumps remaining. These lumps help maintain a rustic texture and intensify the banana flavor throughout the bread.
Step 6: Combine Wet Ingredients
Gently fold the mashed bananas into your creamed butter and sugar mixture, blending them just until combined. This prevents overmixing and ensures the bread remains tender.
Step 7: Incorporate the Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring gently and only until just combined. Overmixing can create a dense crumb, so be gentle here for the perfect fluffy bread.
Step 8: Fold in Blueberries
Carefully fold in the blueberries, distributing them evenly throughout the batter. Be gentle to avoid breaking the berries, which could turn your batter blue and make the bread soggy.
Step 9: Bake the Bread
Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan, smoothing the top with a spatula. Place it on the middle rack and bake for 60 to 65 minutes. The bread is done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with just a few crumbs attached.
Step 10: Cool and Enjoy
Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing and serving. This resting time helps the bread set and makes slicing easier and cleaner.
How to Serve Blueberry Banana Bread Recipe
Garnishes
A simple dusting of powdered sugar over each slice can elevate the presentation and add a touch of sweetness. Fresh blueberries or a thin spread of butter also make excellent garnishes that complement the flavors perfectly.
Side Dishes
This bread pairs wonderfully with a cup of hot coffee or tea, making it perfect for breakfast or an afternoon pick-me-up. If you want a heartier option, serve it alongside a bowl of yogurt topped with granola for an added crunch.
Creative Ways to Present
Slice the bread thick and serve warmed with a drizzle of honey or maple syrup. For a fun twist, turn leftover slices into French toast—a decadent way to enjoy this Blueberry Banana Bread Recipe with a new flair.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover Blueberry Banana Bread wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. This maintains its softness and flavor beautifully without drying out.
Freezing
If you want to save it for later, slice the bread and freeze individual pieces wrapped in plastic wrap and stored in a freezer-safe bag. It can last up to three months in the freezer without losing its deliciousness.
Reheating
To enjoy the bread fresh and warm, simply pop slices in the toaster or microwave for a few seconds. This refreshes the texture and brings out the sweet aroma of bananas and blueberries.
FAQs
Can I use frozen blueberries in this Blueberry Banana Bread Recipe?
Yes, frozen blueberries work perfectly. Just be sure not to thaw them fully before folding them into the batter to prevent excess moisture, which could make the bread soggy.
How ripe should the bananas be?
For the best flavor and sweetness, use bananas that are very ripe with plenty of brown spots. The riper, the sweeter and more flavorful your bread will be.
Can I substitute the butter with oil?
You can substitute unsalted butter with an equal amount of vegetable or canola oil for a slightly different texture but just as moist. Keep in mind butter adds a richer flavor.
Is it necessary to cream the butter and sugar?
Creaming the butter and sugar is an important step since it incorporates air, which helps create a light, tender crumb in the bread. Skipping this could lead to a denser texture.
How can I prevent the blueberries from sinking to the bottom?
To keep blueberries suspended throughout the bread, toss them lightly in flour before folding into the batter. This little trick helps maintain their lovely distribution.
Final Thoughts
This Blueberry Banana Bread Recipe is truly a keeper—simple ingredients come together to create something so warm, comforting, and full of fresh, fruity flavor. Whether you’re baking for family, friends, or just treating yourself, I guarantee this loaf will become a beloved favorite. So grab your mixing bowls and get ready to enjoy a slice of pure happiness.
Print
Blueberry Banana Bread Recipe
- Prep Time: 0h 15m
- Cook Time: 1h 0m
- Total Time: 1h 15m
- Yield: 1 loaf (about 10-12 slices)
- Category: Breakfast, Snack, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This moist and flavorful Blueberry Banana Bread combines the natural sweetness of ripe bananas with bursts of fresh blueberries for a delightful twist on traditional banana bread. Perfect as a breakfast treat or an afternoon snack, this recipe yields a tender loaf with a golden crust that’s easy to prepare and sure to please the whole family.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 4 ripe bananas, mashed
- 1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan with butter or cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt until evenly combined to ensure consistent leavening and seasoning.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a separate large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar on medium speed using a hand mixer or stand mixer for 3-5 minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy, incorporating air for a tender crumb.
- Add Eggs: Add the eggs one at a time to the creamed butter mixture, beating well after each to fully combine and maintain fluffiness.
- Stir in Vanilla: Mix in the vanilla extract until evenly incorporated for added flavor.
- Mash Bananas: Peel and mash the ripe bananas in a separate bowl until smooth with a few small lumps remaining to add moisture and natural sweetness.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: Gently stir the mashed bananas into the butter mixture until well combined.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing gently just until combined to avoid overworking the batter which could toughen the bread.
- Fold in Blueberries: Carefully fold in the blueberries to evenly distribute them without causing them to burst and discolor the batter.
- Transfer Batter: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan, smoothing the top evenly with a spatula for uniform baking.
- Bake: Place the loaf pan on the middle rack of the oven and bake for 60-65 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few crumbs attached.
- Cool in Pan: Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes to firm up.
- Cool Completely: Transfer the loaf to a wire rack and allow it to cool completely before slicing, which ensures clean cuts and prevents crumbling.
Notes
- For best results, use overripe bananas as they are sweeter and more flavorful.
- If using frozen blueberries, do not thaw before adding to prevent the batter from turning purple.
- Do not overmix the batter once the flour is added to keep the bread tender.
- You can substitute half of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for a nuttier flavor and more fiber.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
