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Banana bread with applesauce on a wooden cutting board with 2 slices cut from the loaf.
Victoria Haneveer

Easy Banana Bread with Applesauce

Banana bread with applesauce is a moist, sweet loaf made with ripe bananas and vanilla. This is the recipe to pick if you have bananas browning in the fruit bowl.
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Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 8 Slices
Course: Bread, Snack
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
 

  • 3 ripe bananas, peeled
  • 1 cup (198g) granulated sugar
  • ½ cup (128g) unsweetened applesauce
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 cups (240g) all-purpose flour (plain flour)
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda (bicarbonate of soda)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • Nonstick cooking spray, for greasing the pan
Optional Add-Ins
  • ½ cup chopped walnuts (58g), chocolate chips (85g) or raisins (75g)

Equipment

  • Measuring Cups and Spoons
  • Mixing bowls
  • Electric hand mixer
  • Silicone spatula
  • 9 × 5-inch (23 × 13cm) loaf pan
  • Cooling rack

Method
 

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Coat a 9 × 5-inch (23 × 13cm) loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray.
  2. Mash the bananas in a large mixing bowl with an electric hand mixer. Stir in the sugar and let the mixture stand for 15 minutes.
  3. Meanwhile, stir the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt together in a separate bowl.
  4. Beat the applesauce, eggs and vanilla into the banana mixture until combined.
  5. Add the flour mixture and stir with a spatula just until no dry flour remains. Scrape the bottom and sides of the bowl as you mix. Fold in the walnuts, chocolate chips and/or raisins now, if using.
    6. If combining add-ins, you'll need ½ cup total.
  6. Scrape the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top.
  7. Bake for about 45 minutes, then insert a toothpick into the center. It should come out clean or with a few crumbs, but no wet batter. If needed, continue baking in 5-minute increments.
    8. Loosely cover the top with foil if it browns before the center is done.
  8. Let the loaf cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then remove it and transfer it to a cooling rack. Let it cool further before slicing.

Notes

  • Prep time includes the 15-minute rest. Allow extra time for cooling and any additional baking the loaf needs.