Guatemalan Banana Bread

Guatemalan banana bread is a moist, fluffy sweet bread made with very ripe bananas, very popular as a snack or breakfast in Guatemala.

It’s a classic use-it-up recipe, ideal for using bananas that are already too ripe to eat on their own.

Guatemalan Banana Bread

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• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 10 servings
• Category: Baked goods
• Cuisine: Guatemalan

Print Recipe

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Ingredients

• 4 of very ripe bananas, mashed
• 2 cups of flour
• 1 cup of sugar
• 1/2 cup of melted butter
• 2 of eggs
• 1 teaspoon of baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda
• 1 pinch of salt
• 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon (optional) (optional)
• to taste of chopped walnuts (optional) (optional)

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Instructions

1. Make the mash, make a smooth mash with the very ripe bananas.
2. Beat, beat the melted butter with the sugar until combined, then add the eggs one at a time.
3. Add the banana, add the banana mash to the mixture and mix well.
4. Mix the dry ingredients, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
5. Combine, fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, mixing just until combined, without overmixing.
6. Add walnuts, fold in the chopped walnuts, if using.
7. Pour, pour the batter into a greased and floured loaf pan.
8. Bake, bake in a preheated 180°C (350°F) oven for 45 to 55 minutes, until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
9. Cool, let cool before unmolding and slicing.

Tips for getting it right

• Using very ripe bananas, with dark peel, gives the bread the best natural sweetness and flavor.
• Not overmixing once the flour is added keeps the bread from turning tough.
• Checking doneness with a toothpick is essential, since the center can take longer to cook due to the banana’s moisture.
• It can be stored in an airtight container or wrapped in plastic wrap for several days.

Traditional variations

• It’s a classic use-it-up recipe, very popular throughout Guatemala.
• Some families add chocolate chips in addition to, or instead of, the walnuts.

How to serve

Banana bread is served in slices, at room temperature, on its own or with butter.

It’s a very popular sweet bread in Guatemala for breakfast or as a snack.

Recommended sides

• Coffee
• Butter

Did you know?

Banana bread is a classic way to make use of bananas that are too ripe to eat on their own.

It’s one of the most widely eaten sweet breads in Guatemalan homes, easy to make with accessible ingredients.