There’s something almost magical about walking into Starbucks on a chilly morning, ordering a venti caffè latte, and treating yourself to a slice of their moist, nutty banana bread. For years, this ritual was my special reward after a long work week – until I discovered I could create this little slice of heaven in my own kitchen! Not only is the homemade version fresher and more economical, but the aroma that fills your home while it’s baking creates an experience that even Starbucks can’t match. Now I can enjoy that warm, just-baked goodness whenever the craving strikes!
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What Makes Starbucks Banana Walnut Bread So Special?
Starbucks banana walnut bread stands out from other banana breads because of its perfect balance of sweetness, moisture, and texture. The exterior develops a slight crispness while the interior remains incredibly moist and tender. Each bite delivers the natural sweetness of ripe bananas complemented by the subtle crunch and nutty flavor of walnuts. It’s this combination of flavors and textures that keeps customers returning again and again.
Why You’ll Love This Homemade Version
- Ultimate freshness – Enjoy it still warm from the oven (something you’ll never get at Starbucks!)
- Cost-effective – Make an entire loaf for less than the price of two slices at the coffee shop
- Customizable – Adjust sweetness, walnut quantity, and even add chocolate chips if desired
- No artificial ingredients – Control exactly what goes into your banana bread
- Impressive treat – Perfect for guests or gifting to friends and neighbors
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Starbucks banana nut bread recipe has wholesome ingredients you can find at any grocery store:
- Overripe bananas – They provide natural sweetness, moisture, and that distinctive banana flavor that forms the foundation of this bread
- Bread flour – Creates a denser, chewier texture that mimics Starbucks’ signature consistency (though all-purpose works too)
- Granulated sugar – Adds sweetness and helps to create a tender crumb structure
- Brown sugar – Contributes a deeper molasses flavor and additional moisture to the bread
- Butter – Provides richness and a velvety mouthfeel to every bite
- Large Eggs – Act as a binding agent to hold ingredients together while adding structure
- Vanilla extract – Enhances the banana flavor and adds aromatic complexity
- Walnuts – Deliver a satisfying textural contrast and nutty flavor that complements the sweet banana
- Pecans – Another crunch factor that complements banana flavor
- Baking soda – Creates the perfect rise by reacting with the acidic components in the bananas
- Salt – Balances the sweetness and enhances all other flavors in the bread
Step-by-Step Instructions
Making this copycat Starbucks banana bread recipe is easy! Here’s what to do:
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C)
- Grease and flour a 9×5-inch loaf pan, or line with parchment paper for easy removal
Making the Batter
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon
- In a large bowl, cream together the butter and both sugars until light and fluffy (about 3 minutes)
- Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition
- Mix in the mashed bananas and vanilla extract until just combined
- Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the mixture, being careful not to overmix
- Gently stir in the chopped nuts, reserving a handful for topping
Baking
- Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan
- Sprinkle the reserved walnuts on top
- Bake for 55-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean
- Allow to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack
Copycat Starbucks Banana Walnut Bread – Better Than The Original
Ingredients
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/3 cup margarine or butter
- 2/3 cup sugar
- 1 cup mashed ripe banana
- 2 eggs
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease an 8×4-inch loaf pan.
- In a medium-sized bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Mix well.
- In another medium-sized bowl, use a mixer to cream together the margarine and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the mashed bananas, eggs, and milk and mix well.
- Add half of the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until the flour is just incorporated. Then, add the remaining flour and the chopped pecans, mixing until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and top with the chopped walnuts. Bake for 55 to 60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.
Video
Nutrition
Storage and Freezing Instructions
Room Temperature Storage
- Store in an airtight container or wrapped in plastic wrap for up to 3 days.
Refrigerator Storage
- Refrigerate for up to 1 week in an airtight container to extend freshness.
Freezer Storage
- Thawing: Allow to thaw at room temperature or microwave individual slices for 20-30 seconds
- Whole loaf: Wrap tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil, and freeze for up to 3 months
- Individual slices: Wrap each slice separately and place in a freezer bag for easy single servings
Enjoy Starbucks? Be sure to try these other great copycat recipes
- Flat White
- Caramel Macchiato
- Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte
- DIY Starbucks Caramel Frappuccino
- Starbucks Snickerdoodle Hot Chocolate
- Cafe Mocha Recipe
- Egg Bites
- Starbucks Bacon Gouda Breakfast Sandwich
- Starbucks Spinach & Feta Breakfast Wrap
- Starbucks Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins
More Quick Bread Recipes
Check out more of my recipes from famous restaurants and easy bread recipes.
Super !!’ Thanks
This banana bread turned out awful. There was no sweetness to it at all
Did you add the sugar? It actually has quite a bit of sugar in it.
I thought it was plenty sweet. The bananas add some sweetness and it is a bread, not cupcakes.
I varied in this recipe a bit:
I added in hazlenuts, walnuts, and almonds
I added in 1/4 cup of brown sugar
2 TBS cinnamon
Real butter
Heavy Cream
It made it very fluffy and moist
I bet your bread was heavenly!
Thank you for your suggestions. I am sure your bread is very tasty.
Did you use salted walnuts? Make sure to either have fresh walnuts or baking walnuts to get rid of the salty taste
I always use plain raw nuts.
I decided to make this recipe vegan friendly (given I am vegan). I used Ener-G to substitute for eggs. I followed the instructions on the box to make the equivalent of 2 eggs. For the margarine, I used virgin coconut oil and substituted plain soy milk for the cow’s milk. I changed nothing else except I had slightly more than one cup of mashed ripe banana. I must say…..this turned out quite delish! It is very moist and just the right amount of sweetness. I think people who are having trouble with this bread not being moist enough, are possibly over mixing the batter. You want to mix just enough to get the dry ingredients wet, and not one stroke more. I never had Starbucks banana bread because it doesn’t comply with my dietary restrictions. I don’t feel like I’m missing out at all. I will definitely add this recipe to my favorites list. Thanks!
I have made many diferente recipes, so far this is the best recipe…it come out really good
This is a very different recipe than the other Starbuck’s banana bread recipes found online. It looks like a good recipe. I wonder which recipe is the one that the coffee shop actually uses. Your cooking time/temp seems much more reasonable than the other Starbucks Banana Bread recipes I’ve found online.
very much like mine-except I use 1/3 C Truvia sugar & 2 1/2 Tbs sour cream instead of milk–and I make mine in 2 small 5 x 7 loaf pans for 50 mins-really good-and you can throw in 1/2 c mini choc chips if you’re feeling splurgy
Starbucks adds lots of poison additives.
would it turn out the same without baking powder and just baking soda?
No, I don’t thinks so.
What a neat atirlce. I had no inkling.
Go to the Betty Crocker site and type in Banana Bread in their search engine. It is the best of the best – very most.
this recipe is so good i made one and loved it, this recipe is so so good try it i paid 2.00 a slice for mine when i went to starbucks mine i made was just as good thanks and enjoy!!!!!
Can this be made with whole wheat flour?
You could try making this with whole wheat flour, I have not tested this recipe with whole wheat flour. My guess is that this would need some dough enhancer or it may not raise much.
Put banana jello mix in the recipe and the bread would be nice and moist
I make it moist simply by squeezing a little bit of honey on top of the batter right before it goes in the oven 🙂 hope it helps!
I made this last night, and it was GREAT! better than STARBUCKS, lol. Mine was moist and I used 3 medium bananas.(very ripe) thanks! Im making 2 more today!
hi, i tried your recipe and i just love it! although when i had my husband taste it he said it can be more moist.. hmp talk about raining on my parade huh.. anyway any idea how to add a little more moisture in the bread thanks a lot again!
Adding say another half of a banana could help.
This is the kind of recipe I was looking for. Thanks for sharing.
I have never been to a Starbucks but this recipe does sound delish! My recipe I use all the time has sour cream in it, I guess for moisture? I’m always will to try a new banana bread recipe, I love the stuff!
I have made banana bread for years now with or without walnuts and its always amazing and moist. I use a half cup of butter milk (banana flavored, natural and even strawberry!) The recipe is in Betty Crockers cook book. It has never failed me and always is very accepted for any event!
I just made this banana walnut bread and it was really easy to put together but it didn’t come out as moist as I would’ve wanted it to be. Everyone seemed to have liked it but I dont’t think it was very sweet or had enough bananas. I’ll make it again but I’ll definitley change a few things.
So often Banana’s vary in their flavor, moisture, and volume. It is a vary hard to thing to compensate for. Something I will do is tend to over add on the bananas if I have a half of one left over after I finish measuring everything.
try doubling the amount of bananas and ading honey and brown sugar to the batter…also a half cup of instant pudding will help it be moist. Also use bananas that are completely dark…this gives maximum banana flavor.