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The Perfect Brown Butter Banana Bread

Finding the perfect banana bread recipe was like finding a needle in a haystack, but after going through recipe after recipe, I've discovered a tried and true recipe.

The journey to finding the perfect brown butter banana bread was trying, literally. I tried a hundred different recipes, I was looking for something with the right shape, texture, and taste. It took time (and a lot of trial loaves), but when I landed on this one, I knew it was the one. It started as a family favorite, then became the thing I’d always bake when friends came over. Eventually, it made its way to the daynight menu, and now it’s become one of those “is it still available?” items people come asking for.

The Banana Bread That Took Forever to Perfect

Jump To Recipe

Browning a full stick of butter brings a rich, nutty flavor you can't get with just softened butter. And the best part is your kitchen will smell like caramelized‑banana heaven. Hello, brown butter banana bread fans.

Paired with the sour cream as an ingredient, it offers a moist and dense texture with a soft, cakey crumb, plus a crisp golden crust for contrast. Every bite hits all the notes.

The Brown Butter Magic

There's nothing quite like warm banana bread, and that's exactly how this should be enjoyed. The heat brings out that brown butter aroma while maintaining that perfect texture contrast between the crisp crust and tender crumb.

Always Serve It Warm

This banana bread pairs beautifully with:

Fresh coffee - The nutty brown butter notes pair well with coffee's roasted flavors

Cold milk - A classic combination that never disappoints

Afternoon tea - An elegant treat for any time of day

You can grab all of these right here at daynight, our Ottawa bakery café menu has them ready to pair with a warm slice.

Perfect Pairings

The Art of Serving Banana Bread

There’s something unbeatable about fresh banana bread. The crisp crust, the warm center, the brown butter aroma, it’s honestly the best way to eat it. That's why at daynight we always serve it straight out of the over; as fresh as can be.It’s one of our most popular bakery items, and even though it’s available only while quantities last, we always try to bake enough. Still, don’t wait too long — it disappears fast.

Best Enjoyed Fresh

Ingredients:

1 stick (1/2 cup) butter, browned

1 cup sugar + 2 tbsp molasses OR 1/2 cup sugar + 1/2 cup brown sugar

3-4 ripe bananas (the riper, the better)

2 large eggs

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/4 tsp sesame oil (my secret ingredient)

1 tsp baking soda

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 tsp salt

1/3 cup sour cream

Optional: 1/2 cup walnuts or pecans

The Recipe Behind the Magic

This treasured recipe makes one perfect loaf of brown butter banana bread.

How We Bake It:

Preheat oven to 325 °F.

Brown the butter until golden brown; let it cool slightly.

Mix butter, sugar/molasses, and bananas.

Stir in eggs, vanilla, sesame oil, and sour cream until well incorporated.

Whisk flour, baking soda, and salt in a separate; add to wet mix in 3 parts (don’t overmix).

Pour into a greased bread pan; bake for 80 minutes. Cool 10–15 minutes, slice, and enjoy!

Home baker tip: Stick to the recipe, don’t substitute, and if you must riff, toss in chocolate chips or extra nuts

The magic lies in the combination of techniques and ingredients:

Brown butter provides depth and complexity
Sour cream ensures moisture and tenderness
The touch of sesame oil adds an unexpected layer of richness
Proper mixing technique maintains the ideal texture

I've spent a lot of time perfecting these ratios and techniques, and I've learned that each ingredient serves a specific purpose in creating the final masterpiece. That's why I don't recommend substitutions, trust the process!

Why This Recipe Works Every Time

If you want the real deal, drop by daynight during our bakery hours, our brown butter banana bread sells out fast.

Craving more bakery‑favorite recipes? Head over to Blogs for cozy bakes and cocktail tips, and tag us at @daynight613 if you try this loaf at home!