3-Ingredient Banana Bread
This beautiful yet simple banana bread comes together with just three basic, easy-to-find ingredients— bananas, eggs and store-bought cake mix! The bananas make this quick bread moist and sweet, while the spice cake mix adds a hint of cinnamon and nutmeg. Cut the banana bread into thick slices and serve for breakfast, dessert or even an indulgent snack.
Equipment
- 1 Loaf Pan (9x5x3-inch) Essential for shaping the bread.
- 1 Large Mixing Bowl For mashing bananas and combining ingredients.
- 1 Fork For mashing the ripe bananas smoothly.
- 1 Whisk For incorporating eggs and cake mix evenly.
- 1 Wire Rack For proper cooling and preventing condensation.
Ingredients
Main
- 4 large ripe bananas
- 2 large eggs lightly beaten
- One 15.25-ounce box spice cake mix
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 9-by-5-by-3-inch loaf pan with parchment, leaving a 2-inch overhang on the longer sides.
- Mash 3 of the bananas with a fork in a large bowl until very smooth, reserving the fourth and least-bruised banana for the bread topper. Whisk in the eggs and cake mix until just combined and no lumps remain.
- Transfer to the prepared loaf pan, smoothing out the top with a small offset spatula. Slice the remaining banana in half lengthwise, then place the halves cut-side up on top of the batter, with the curves facing each other. Bake until deep golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 50 minutes.
- Transfer the loaf pan to a wire rack to cool slightly, about 10 minutes. Run a knife or offset spatula around the edges of the pan, then invert the banana bread onto the wire rack and cool completely.
Notes
1. Banana ripeness is key: Use very ripe bananas (brown spots are good!) for maximum sweetness and moisture. Under-ripe bananas will result in a drier, less flavorful bread. 2. Do not overmix: Once the cake mix is added, mix until just combined. Overmixing can develop gluten, leading to a tough bread. 3. The reserved banana on top adds visual appeal and extra banana flavor. Ensure it's the least bruised for best presentation. 4. Cooling completely on a wire rack is crucial for the bread's structure and easy slicing. Rushing this step can lead to a crumbly loaf. 5. While this recipe is simple, consider adding a pinch of salt to balance the sweetness, or a teaspoon of vanilla extract for depth of flavor.