Starbucks Banana Bread

Who knows if this is THE actual Starbucks Banana Bread recipe. I found it on one of my favorite blogs.
http://abasicfoodie.wordpress.com/2010/04/14/banana-walnut-bread/
I had to give it a try and I'm sure glad I did. It's terrific and very easy to make. The texture is perfectly moist, somewhat light. Not dense or rubbery like some banana breads. The perfect amount of banana flavor in this bread. I did not add walnuts, as I do not care for walnuts and neither does anyone in my family. Years ago I came across a banana bread recipe that included a thin layer of brown sugar/cinnamon struesel in the middle of the loaf. At first I could not imagine that combination in a banana bread but I tried it and have added that struesel layer to every single banana bread that I make, including this one. It was an outstanding addition. I simply mix about 1/2 cup brown sugar with about 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon and sprinkle it over a thin layer of batter already poured into the pan. I then put additional batter on top, and then bake! I sometimes sprinkle some of the mixture on top of the uncooked loaf too. Voila! A nice sweet gooey brown sugar layer with a bit of cinnamon spice. Try it! I'm telling ya, you will never make plain banana bread again.
I made a double recipe and it made a perfect 7 mini loaves.
I will definitely be making this recipe again. It's one of my favorites, if not my very favorite banana bread recipe.

You can really notice the thin layer of brown sugar/cinnamon in this photo. Sometimes I make a very light layer of it, but sometimes a bit heavier. It's up to you, but I suggest you try it.

Starbucks Banana Walnut Bread

from the blog: abasicfoodie.wordpress.com

• 3 ripe bananas, peeled and mashed
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1 egg
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons buttermilk or milk
• 1 cup chopped walnuts

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees and grease one loaf pan
2. Mix sugar, oil, egg, vanilla, buttermilk, and bananas in a mixing bowl. Combine completely.
3. Add in flour, soda, and salt, and 1/2 cup of the walnuts.
4. Pour into the pan, sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup walnuts over the top of the batter slightly pressing in the walnuts.
5. Bake for 45 to 60 minutes. Use a tester to check if it is cooked internally.
6. Cool and remove from the pan.

Struesel Layer

1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
(these are approximate amounts. add more or less struesel, depending on your taste)

Mix together & sprinkle the mixture over a thin layer of batter in a prepared loaf pan. Cover with additional batter and bake.