Aug 28 2026
RestaurantsCafe LatteBanana Brown Butter Recipe

Banana Brown Butter Recipe

Inspired by Cafe Latte
Time1h 40m
Serves8

Make Banana Brown Butter Recipe in just 1h 40m. Get the full recipe with step-by-step instructions at pekinthechef.com.

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Ingredients

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Banana Brown Butter Cake

Brown Butter Glaze (optional)

Method

Banana Brown Butter Cake

  1. 1

    Prepare and preheat

    Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9x5-inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.

  2. 2

    Brown the butter

    In a light-colored small saucepan or skillet, melt 3/4 cup (170 g) unsalted butter over medium heat. Swirl occasionally. After the butter foams, it will begin to brown and give a nutty aroma and small brown flecks; this takes about 4–6 minutes. Immediately remove from heat and transfer browned butter to a heatproof bowl to stop cooking. Let cool for 5 minutes so it’s warm but not hot.

  3. 3

    Mash bananas

    While the butter cools, peel and mash ripe bananas until mostly smooth with a few small lumps, measuring 1½ cups mashed (about 3 medium bananas).

  4. 4

    Combine sugars and butter

    Whisk together the cooled brown butter and both sugars (1/2 cup granulated + 1/4 cup packed light brown) until smooth and slightly glossy. A few small butter solids are fine.

  5. 5

    Add egg and vanilla

    Whisk in 1 large egg until incorporated, then whisk in 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.

  6. 6

    Add bananas and sour cream

    Stir in the mashed bananas and 1/4 cup sour cream (or plain yogurt) until evenly combined.

  7. 7

    Mix dry ingredients

    In a separate bowl, whisk together 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, and 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon.

  8. 8

    Combine wet and dry

    Fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture gently with a spatula until just combined. Do not overmix; a few streaks of flour remaining are okay. If using nuts, fold in 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans now.

  9. 9

    Bake

    Scrape batter into the prepared loaf pan, smoothing the top. Bake in the preheated 350°F oven for 50–60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs (not wet batter) and the top is golden-brown. If the top browns too quickly, tent loosely with foil after 30–35 minutes.

  10. 10

    Cool

    Remove the loaf from the oven and let cool in the pan on a wire rack for 10–15 minutes. Use the parchment overhang (or invert) to remove the loaf from the pan and let cool completely on the rack before glazing or slicing—about 1 to 1.5 hours for best texture.

Brown Butter Glaze (optional)

  1. 11

    Brown butter for glaze

    In a small skillet, melt 1/4 cup unsalted butter over medium heat, swirling until it develops amber brown specks and a nutty aroma, about 3–4 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool 2 minutes.

  2. 12

    Whisk glaze

    In a small bowl, whisk together 1 cup powdered sugar, the cooled browned butter, 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup or milk (start with 1 tablespoon; add more to adjust consistency), 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract, and 1/8 teaspoon fine sea salt until smooth. If glaze is too thick, add more maple syrup or a few drops of milk; if too thin, add a little more powdered sugar.

  3. 13

    Glaze the loaf

    Once the loaf is completely cool, drizzle the brown butter glaze over the top using a spoon or spatula. Let the glaze set for 10–15 minutes before slicing. Store leftover glazed or unglazed loaf wrapped at room temperature for 2–3 days or refrigerate up to 5 days.

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