• prep: 15 min
• cook: 1 hr
• total: 1 hr 15 min

servings:

The BEST Banana Bread & Muffins - ever! Moist & flavorful with toasted pecans, orange zest, cinnamon, nutmeg & caramelized bananas. ------------------ Very slightly adapted from Baking Illustrated, Banana Bread.

• Yields: 1 loaf pan (9x5x3) or 12 muffins
• *See notes for variations.
• ----------------------------------
• 2 cups (10 ounces) unbleached all-purpose flour
• 11/4 cups, pecans or walnuts, chopped and toasted
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup dark brown sugar, packed
• 2 tablespoons orange zest, freshly grated
• 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 3 large bananas (11/2 cups), very ripe, brown-speckled - mashed
• 2 bananas, ripe & ready to eat (to place on top of bread)
• 1/4 cup plain yogurt or sour cream
• 2 large eggs, slightly beaten
• 6 tablespoons butter, unsalted, melted and cooled
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Demerara (or coarse, raw) sugar (to sprinkle on top)

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