Mary Berry Banana Bread – Iconic 4.9★ Recipe (Made Perfect)

Mary Berry Banana Bread Recipe gets 4.9 out of 5 stars based on over 1000 reviews this year alone!

Its iconic. A classic. A must have in your recipe book. Its delicious and moist and easy-to-make. Takes about an hour to bake and uses any over-ripe bananas left in the fruit bowl.

It produces a golden-brown, fragrant bread with a tender crumb and rich banana flavour. Ideal for breakfast or as a sweet snack. Best served in thick slices which really don’t need to be buttered. It is one of Mary Berry’s most popular recipes. And it freezes extremely well. Whats not to love.

Mary Berry Banana Bread Recipe

By Mary Berry
From Mary Berry’s Baking Bible

Moderate in calories, sugar, and fat (nutri-score)

You will need a 900g (2lb) loaf tin, 17 x 9 x 9cm (6½ x 3½ x 3½in) base measurement.

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Method

Preparation

• Preheat the oven to 180C / Fan 160C / Gas 4.
• Lightly grease a 2lb loaf tin, then line the base and sides with baking parchment.

Mixing

• Measure all ingredients into a mixing bowl.
• Beat for about 2 minutes, until well blended.  An electric mixer is best for this but of course you can also beat by hand with a wooden spoon.

Baking

• Spoon the mixture into the prepared tin and level the surface.
• Bake in the pre-heated oven for about 1 hour, until well risen and golden brown.
• Check if ready by inserting a fine skewer in the centre – it should come out clean.

Cooling

• Leave to cool in the tin for a few minutes.
• Turn out, peel off the parchment, and finish cooling on a wire rack.

Tips For Perfect Mary Berry Banana Bread

Mary Berry Banana Bread gets 4.9 out of 5 stars based on over 1,000 reviews this year alone!

What did people love? What did they hate? What were they not sure about? Here’s what over 1,000 bakers said:

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What Works Brilliantly

• Super easy to follow and beginner-friendly
• Moist, soft texture with great banana flavor
• Reliable rise and lovely golden color when baked right
• Fun to customize with nuts, chocolate chips, and spices
• Sugar can be reduced without losing yumminess

Everyone loves how simple Mary Berry banana bread is. You basically just toss everything in one bowl and mix — minimal fuss, which is perfect for busy days or novice bakers. The banana bread turns out moist and lovely every time, with that sweet, natural banana flavor that keeps people coming back for more. Folks also loved how it puffs up nicely and browns just right — such a classic look and taste.

And it’s super flexible: chocolate chips, walnuts, cinnamon, you name it, you can add it to make things more interesting. Plus, it’s a genius way to make sure you don’t waste those overly ripe bananas. A lot of people also tweak the sugar down a bit and still get that great moistness, and freezing bananas ahead of time is like a life hack everyone swears by.

Pro Tips For Best Results

• For less sweetness: Reduce sugar to 150g – it stays perfectly moist
• Avoid soggy centers: Check your oven temperature with a thermometer
• Prevent sinking: Don’t overmix the batter and use the correct 2lb loaf tin
• Don’t worry about lumps: Lumpy batter is normal and creates better texture
• For fan ovens: Reduce temperature by 20°C as the recipe suggests

Now, it’s not all perfect  – some felt the sugar was a bit much, so they dropped it to match their tastes.

Then there were a few horror stories about soggy middles or burnt tops, usually because the oven instructions weren’t detailed enough about fan ovens. People sometimes had their loaf crack or sink after coming out of the oven, which is a bit of a bummer, and that might be linked to the size of the loaf tin they used (which wasn’t spelled out well in the copy of the recipe they were following).

Also, some folks freak out when the batter looks lumpy before baking, but honestly, that’s just how Mary Berry banana bread batter is supposed to be!

Popular Customisations

• Add 1 tsp cinnamon or vanilla for extra warmth
• Mix in 100g of chocolate chips, walnuts, or coconut
• Try covering with foil halfway through baking if top browns too quickly

There’s definitely some debate on whether cinnamon or vanilla really take the classic Mary Berry banana bread up a notch — some say yes, some say it’s optional. Same with chocolate chips and nuts: delicious for some, but others prefer it plain to let the banana shine. Baking times and oven temps? It really depends on your gear and even where you live — some experimenting might be necessary. Covering your loaf with foil halfway through baking to avoid burning tops is a trick some swear by, but others just eyeball it. And the sugar reduction — everyone loves less sugar, but figuring out how low you can go without messing up the moisture and crumb is a personal journey.

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So, all in all, this recipe is your trusty go-to if you want a foolproof, tasty banana loaf with plenty of room to tweak to your liking.

Just remember to keep an eye on that oven temperature – everybody’s oven is always going to a bit different anyway.

Maybe adjust sugar if you like less sweet, and have fun playing with your favourite extras.

Finally, don’t worry too much if the batter looks a bit lumpy — it’s all going to come together into something delicious!

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Personal Touches to the Mary Berry Banana Bread recipe

Add your own flair to this Mary Berry banana bread with these suggestions:

• Top with buttercream icing and crushed walnuts for extra indulgence.
• Use three bananas and add mixed spices and almond essence. Create a frosting with cream cheese, icing sugar, and a splash of lemon juice.
• Incorporate coconut into the mixture and sprinkle some on top after baking.

For a chocolatey twist, try Mary Berry banana bread with chocolate chip recipe.

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FAQ Section for Mary Berry Banana Bread

1. How ripe should the bananas be for banana bread?
For the best flavour and sweetness, use very ripe bananas with brown spots. The riper the bananas, the sweeter and more flavourful your banana bread will be.

2. Can I use plain flour instead of self-raising flour?
Yes, you can substitute plain flour for self-raising flour. If you do, add 1 teaspoon of baking powder for every 100g of plain flour to ensure your banana bread rises properly.

3. What can I add to enhance the flavour of Mary Berry banana bread?
Consider adding nuts like walnuts or pecans, chocolate chips, or spices such as cinnamon or nutmeg. You can also incorporate yogurt or sour cream for added moisture but its really not needed.

4. How long should I bake the banana bread?
Bake the banana bread for about 50 to 60 minutes at 180°C (350°F). Check for doneness by inserting a skewer into the center; it should come out clean when the bread is ready.

5. How do I store leftover banana bread?
Store leftover banana bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. For longer storage, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and freeze it for up to three months.

6. Can I make this recipe dairy-free?
Yes! Substitute the butter with a dairy-free spread and use a non-dairy milk alternative, such as almond or oat milk, to make a delicious dairy-free version.

7. Is it possible to make banana bread without eggs?
Yes, you can replace eggs with flaxseed meal (1 tablespoon of flaxseed meal mixed with 2.5 tablespoons of water equals one egg) or applesauce (1/4 cup per egg) to create a vegan version of the recipe.

8. Can I add frosting to my banana bread?
Absolutely! A cream cheese frosting or buttercream icing can add a delicious touch to your banana bread, making it even more indulgent.

Nutri-score Health Check

This Mary Berry banana bread recipe receives a Nutri-Score of C, indicating it’s moderately healthy. Here’s why:

• Positive points: Contains fruit (bananas) and is a good source of energy.
• Negative points: High in sugar and saturated fats from butter.
• The recipe includes nutritious ingredients like bananas and milk, but also contains significant amounts of sugar and butter.
• The self-raising flour provides some fibre, but the overall fibre content is moderate.
• While not the healthiest option, it can be enjoyed in moderation as part of a balanced diet.

To improve the Nutri-Score, consider reducing sugar content, using whole wheat flour, or incorporating nuts for added nutritional value.

Discover more all-time favourites from Mary Berry’s kitchen:

• Mary Berry chocolate cake
• Mary Berry lemon drizzle cake
• Mary Berry carrot cake recipe