What better way to use up bananas that have peaked in freshness then to put them to use making this Walnut Brown Butter Banana Bread. Browned butter adds that extra nutty taste for a flavorful twist to this classic recipe.
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C), and coat a 4x8-inch loaf pan with butter or cooking spray.
To Make Brown Butter
Melt butter over medium heat and swirl the sauté pan to be sure the butter melts evenly.
The butter will begin to foam and the color will change from yellow to golden to brown. Once you smell that nutty aroma, take the pan off the heat and allow to cool. It takes a few minutes total.
Bread
Mash the ripe bananas in a large bowl with a fork by hand until smooth or in a mixing bowl with paddle. Add the browned butter, sugar, beaten egg, and vanilla.
Sift together the flour, baking soda and salt. Add to the bowl of wet ingredients along with walnuts and mix thoroughly to blend.
Pour batter into prepared loaf pan. Bake for 55 -60 minutes, or until a tester inserted into center comes out clean. If the bread is browning too quickly, tent the pan with aluminum foil.
Remove from oven and let cool in the pan for a 5 minutes. Then run spatula along sides of pan and bread, tilt pan sideways and remove bread from loaf pan. Let cool on wire rack for at least 15-20 minutes before slicing.