Starbucks Banana Bread Copycat Recipe

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Starbucks is known for serving some of the best coffee and exceptional baked goods. One baked good that most people, including me, cannot get enough of is their banana bread. Now, you can make moist Starbucks banana bread at home with this simple recipe!

Banana bread is a wonder of a baked good, combining all good things. Although called ‘bread,’ it has a unique cake-like structure and is perfectly sweet without being overpowering. Moreover, this bread is often packed with nuts and spices, giving it flavor and texture!

Although making this Starbucks bread may look complicated, I can assure you it is not. Moreover, as long as you follow through with the method and ingredients precisely, you will get bread that is just as moist and delicious as the one you get at Starbucks.

This banana bread recipe uses a simple set of ingredients, and you will be left in awe once you see how pantry staples can make a loaf of bread so easily.

What's In The Post

Equipments Required

Measuring Cups: I strongly recommend using a set of measuring cups to get precise measurements for the perfect banana bread.
Measuring Spoons: A set of measuring spoons will help you get precise measurements for ingredients needed in smaller quantities.
Bowls: Keep two medium-sized bowls ready for whisking the ingredients, one for the dry and one for the wet.
Whisk: I often use a large whisk because it helps mix the dough uniformly and aerate the batter.
Silicone Spatula: Use a silicone spatula, which is very bendy, to scrape the batter and get every bit of it into the loaf pan.
Fork: I use a large fork to mash the bananas.
Loaf Pan: An 8-inch by 4-inch loaf pan will be perfect for making one medium-sized banana bread. You can also use a 9-inch by 5-inch pan, or any other pan you may already have.
Parchment Paper: I highly recommend lining the loaf pan with parchment paper to prevent the mixture from sticking.

Starbucks Banana Bread Ingredients & Substitutions

Note: This recipe is large enough to make one medium-sized banana bread loaf serving eight portions.

3 Bananas: Here, you need to ensure your bananas are extra ripe, as that is the right flavor and texture of bananas, which will help the flavor stand out. If you don’t have extra ripe bananas, I suggest using moderately ripe ones. But my recommendation would still be to keep a few bananas ripe a few days before you plan to make this bread.
2 Cups All-Purpose Flour: Alternatively, you can also use bread flour.
1 Teaspoon Baking Soda: This leavening agent reacts with the acidic base of this recipe, giving the bread a soft and fluffy texture.
1 Cup Sugar: Ideally, granulated white sugar is perfect for this recipe. I would recommend using a combination of white and light brown sugar for an extra malty flavor.
1 Egg: To help bind the batter for this bread recipe.
½ Cup Vegetable Oil: You can also use sunflower oil in its place if you don’t have vegetable oil.
2 Tablespoons Buttermilk: Both homemade and store-bought buttermilk work perfectly fine.
1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract: I often use a vanilla pod for a more robust and fresher flavor.
½ Cup Chopped Walnuts: Roughly chopping the walnuts for this recipe is good enough.
½ Cup Chopped Pecans
¼ Teaspoon Salt
½ Teaspoon Cinnamon Powder: For an added kick of flavor.

Preparation And Cooking Time

Preparation Time	Cooking Time	Total Time
15 Minutes	1 Hour	1 Hour 15 Minutes

How To Make Starbucks Banana Bread At Home

Step 1

Take three peeled bananas in a bowl.

Step 2

Mash the bananas and add two eggs.

Step 3

Now, pour canola oil into the mix.

Step 4

Add sugar to the mix.

Step 5

Now, add some wheat flour to the banana mix.

Step 6

Add baking soda and baking powder to the batter.

Step 7

Further, add a teaspoon of salt and a teaspoon of cinnamon powder.

Step 8

Add some crushed walnuts to the mix.

Step 9

Crush the pecans and add them to the batter.

Step 10

Mix the batter well, making sure the nuts are evenly incorporated.

Step 11

Moving forward, add the batter into a loaf pan lined with parchment paper.

Step 12

Place the loaf pan in a preheated oven and let it bake.

Step 13

Your soft and fluffy banana bread is ready to serve.

Starbucks Banana Bread Recipe Video

Expert Tips That I Recommend

I always ensure that my baking soda isn’t too old; otherwise, it won’t react properly with the rest of the recipe and will leave you with a tough result.
I often add spices like cardamom, nutmeg, or ginger to this bread to enhance its flavor.
You must ensure that your oven is preheated for at least 10 minutes before you put the bread in to bake, to achieve uniform heat distribution throughout the baking process.
You can make your buttermilk at home by combining ½ cup of whole milk with one teaspoon of white vinegar.
I recommend using a digital thermometer to check the internal temperature of your banana bread, which should be about 200°F.
About 40 to 45 minutes into baking, cover the loaf with foil once the top has browned to keep the bread moist and even.

FAQs About Starbucks Banana Bread Recipe

Why is baking soda the leavening agent of choice for this recipe?

Baking soda is the leavening agent of choice for this recipe, as it will give softer and crumblier bread than baking powder. Moreover, we are also using an acidic base for this recipe, buttermilk, so the baking soda will react with it, giving perfectly fluffy bread.

Why is the banana bread batter so thick?

Since this is a quick bread batter, it is supposed to be thick, unlike a cake batter. So, do not worry if your batter is too thick; you are following the recipe exactly.

Why is your banana bread flat?

Your banana bread could be flat if your baking soda is too old or has expired, which will cause it to lose its natural leavening power. Hence, always ensure that your baking soda is not too old.

Why can’t cake flour be used to make this recipe?

Cake flour has a shallow gluten content, which is wrong for this recipe. Since we want a texture between bread and cake, all-purpose flour and bread flour will work best.

Why does your baked banana bread have a large tear on the top?

Your banana bread may have a large tear on the top after baking, as the air would have escaped from the batter. This is very normal and nothing to worry about.

Why has your banana bread sunk in the centre?

If you open the oven door while the banana bread is still baking, it can sink into the center. This is because all the hot air escaping from the oven rapidly lowers the temperature, resulting in a drop in the centre. So, as tempting as it may be, I suggest not opening the oven door until the bread has been baking for a full hour.

Why is this banana bread recipe only made with extra-ripe bananas?

Extra-ripe bananas have the perfect moisture content for the bread recipe and a sharp flavor that will shine through. Hence, it is always recommended to use over-ripe bananas rather than other kinds.

What can be done with overripe bananas if you are not planning to make this recipe the same day?

If you have overripe bananas but would instead save them to make this banana bread recipe another day, the best thing to do is freeze them, which will stop them from ripening further.

Why is your banana bread hard like a rock?

Your banana bread could be too hard if you overcook it or accidentally use baking powder instead of baking soda. So, make sure you use the right leavening agent for this recipe.

How can you ensure your banana bread is moist and not dry?

To ensure your banana bread is not dry, add the right amount of wet ingredients and use fresh buttermilk. Also, when the banana bread is baking, control the temperature and time so that it does not overbake.

Nutritional Information Per Serving

Although this banana bread recipe uses healthy ingredients, it also contains a lot of fat and sugar, so it is best to have it just once in a while, preferably in smaller portions.

Calories	443 kcal
Carbohydrates	63 g
Protein	6 g
Fat	20 g
Saturated Fat	2 g
Polyunsaturated Fat	17 g
Cholesterol	23 mg
Sodium	241 mg
Fiber	3 g
Sugar	34 g

This Starbucks Banana Bread is not safe for a vegan diet, vegetarian diet, gluten-free diet, lactose-free diet, or even for those with tree nut allergies.

Recipe Variations For Different Diets

Vegan Diet: To make this recipe vegan-friendly, I often switch the eggs with silken tofu and the buttermilk with plant-based buttermilk, which is very easy to make at home. Remember, one egg weighs about 50 grams, so use the same amount of silken tofu.
Vegetarian Diet: As a vegetarian, you can use dairy-based substitutes for eggs, such as condensed milk or Greek yoghurt, in the same quantity.
Gluten-Free Diet: Those on a gluten-free diet just need to swap the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour of their choice in the same quantity. Just know that gluten-free flour may yield different results than all-purpose flour.
Dairy-Free Diets: Those with lactose intolerance can only replace buttermilk with a plant-based buttermilk of their choice.
Nut-Free Diet: Those with nut allergies can follow the recipe exactly as it is, but skip adding the walnuts.

Storing And Reheating This Recipe

Storing This Recipe:

At Room Temperature: I suggest wrapping the bread in aluminium foil and storing it in an airtight container. Wrapping the bread will prevent it from catching mould.
In The Refrigerator: Store your banana bread in the refrigerator, even if you plan to eat it the day after baking. For that, store it in an airtight container and refrigerate it for up to 5 days.
In The Freezer: Yes, you can also efficiently freeze banana bread for up to three months. For that, store it in either an airtight container or a Ziploc bag, ensuring you remove all the air. Then, store it safely for up to three months, and thaw the bread before eating it.

Reheating This Recipe:

In An Oven: You can easily reheat this bread in the oven by preheating the oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes and letting the bread heat for 8-10 minutes until steaming hot.
In A Microwave: Just place the entire loaf or slices on a microwave-safe plate and heat it for 30-second intervals at high power until the bread is steaming hot.

What To Serve With This Recipe

This banana bread is delicious on its own, which is a given. However, that does not mean you can’t enjoy it with some lovely sides.

You can also choose classic side options, like vanilla ice cream or sweet Whipped Cream. If you want to go completely bananas with this dish, serving it alongside Banana Ice Cream is also a good option.

Last but not least, the combination of bananas and chocolate is divine. Hence, you can serve this banana bread with warm Chocolate Sauce or Milk Chocolate and Hazelnut Spread.

Printable Version

More Starbucks Recipes That You Can Try

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Starbucks Salted Caramel Cold Brew Feature Image — Starbucks Smoked Butterscotch Latte

Conclusion

Starbucks serves some of the best banana bread ever; that is a given. Now, with this recipe, you can rejoice the baker in you and make this delicious bread right at home, whenever you want! The result will surely leave you in complete awe.

Once you try this recipe, let me know in the comments how it turned out for you and if you have to do any troubleshooting. I will be back with some beautiful baked goodies recipes, so until then, have a blast! And remember, baking is, indeed, effortless.