There’s something so special about a recipe that’s been shared in the family.
This banana bread was given to me by my older sister Chris, and we’ve been making it for years. It’s one of those recipes that never fails—soft, fluffy, and full of flavor every single time.
I shared this on TikTok last fall, and it reached over 77,000 views. So many of you made it and loved it just as much as we do, which made it even more meaningful to pass along.
One of my favorite things about this recipe is how well it freezes. I like to make it ahead, place it in a freezer bag, and keep it on hand. When guests come over, I can just pull it out—and it tastes just as fresh and delicious as the day it came out of the oven.
Moments like that remind me how the simplest things—like sharing something homemade—can bring so much joy.
And I truly believe those little moments are gifts from God… reminders to slow down, care for others, and be thankful.
Even in the middle of busy days, we can still thank Him anyway. 💛
✨ Why You’ll Love This Banana Bread
- Super soft, tender, and fluffy texture
- Perfect way to use ripe bananas
- Freezer-friendly (tastes fresh even after thawing!)
- Easy to make—no mixer needed
- Perfect for guests, gifting, or everyday baking
🛒 Ingredients
- 2½ cups sugar
- ½ cup melted butter
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 3 eggs
- 1½ cups ripe mashed bananas (about 3 medium)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1¼ cups buttermilk
- 3 cups flour
- 1½ teaspoons baking soda
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
Optional Add-Ins:
- 1/2 cups chopped walnuts (my favorite!)
- Chocolate chips
- Raisins
- Pecans
👩🍳 Instructions
-
Preheat oven to 350°F and grease two standard loaf pans.
Tip: Line the bottom with parchment paper so the bread releases easily. - In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, mix together the sugar, melted butter, and oil.
(I like to whisk by hand—no mixer needed!) - In a separate bowl, beat the eggs, then add them to the batter and mix well.
- Mash the bananas and add them to the mixture along with the vanilla.
- Make sure your ingredients are room temperature for best results.
- Alternate adding the dry ingredients and buttermilk:
- Add ⅓ of the flour mixture
- Then ⅓ of the buttermilk
- Repeat until everything is combined
- Stir just until combined—do not overmix (this keeps the bread soft and tender).
- Fold in any optional add-ins like walnuts or chocolate chips.
- Divide batter evenly between pans and bake for about 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
📝 Notes & Tips
- Mixing by hand helps prevent overmixing (which can make bread tough)
- Make sure ingredients are room temperature for best texture
- Freezes beautifully—store in a freezer bag
- Tastes just as fresh after thawing
- Perfect to have on hand for guests
💛 A Little Encouragement
Sometimes it’s not the big things—it’s the small, thoughtful ones.
Having something homemade ready to share… opening your home… offering something simple with love—those are the moments people remember.
Whether you’re baking for your family or just preparing ahead for someone who might stop by, I hope this recipe brings a little comfort into your home.
And no matter what season you’re in…
there’s always something to thank Him for.