Why doesn't banana bread cook in the middle?

Using too much banana could make your bread heavy and damp in the center, causing it to appear undercooked and unappealing . If you have bananas leftover, you can always freeze them for later use.

When banana bread sinks in the middle?

Too much liquid can lead to banana bread that sinks in the middle. Of course, an excess amount of dry ingredients can also lead to trouble. Many international bakers like to use grams & milliliters (versus measuring cups & spoons) to avoid ingredient measurement issues.

What happens when you put too much banana in banana bread?

Banana bread recipes typically ask you to use overripe bananas so that they're easier to mush. This means it's tempting to toss all your bananas into the mix when you're ready to bake, to avoid food waste. But if you add too much of the fruit into your batter, your bread could turn out mushy, heavy, and wet .

Why is my banana bread not fluffy?

Over mixing the batter Whether you choose to make banana bread in a stand mixer or use a simple bowl and spoon, the key to a beautiful, fluffy, moist loaf does not overmix the batter.

Why did my banana bread come out too moist?

What to do if you've used too many bananas. If you must add an extra banana into your batter, there are ways to prevent the bread from turning mushy. Using a lot of bananas adds excess moisture, and there are two ways to get rid of it. You could either add more flour or increase the baking time .

Is there a difference between baking soda and baking powder?

Baking soda and baking powder are not the same . Sodium bicarbonate and bicarbonate of soda are other names for baking soda. Baking powder is made of baking soda plus cream of tartar and cornstarch. Baking powder can be substituted for baking soda by tripling the amount of baking powder.

How long do I let banana bread cool?

Let it cool for 10 minutes — this helps the loaf solidify and makes it easier to remove from the pan. Remove from pan and cool another 10 minutes. Grasping the parchment paper sling, lift the loaf out of the pan and place on the cooling rack. Cool for another 10 minutes before slicing.

How do you fix bread that didn't cook in the middle?

In most situations, an undercooked loaf of bread can be fixed by returning it to the oven for a few more minutes . This is true for loaves where the outside of your bread may look fully set, but the inside of the bread is still gummy. Place the loaf back in a preheated oven at 350° F for 10-20 minutes.

Why is my bread not baking in the middle?

The oven temperature is off : Usually it's running too hot, and the outside looks brown before the center is baked through. But a low oven temperature can fool you too– you think you've baked long enough, but it's actually running 50 degrees too cool.

Should I bake banana bread on middle rack?

The center oven rack is best for: Desserts, such as cookies, pies and cakes. Pasta, such as lasagna, ziti and macaroni and cheese. Banana bread.

What should the internal temp of banana bread be?

Bake your banana bread until it registers an internal temperature of 200 to 205°F . Use an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center. This is the best and easiest way to ensure your bread is perfectly cooked through but not overdone.

Easy Cake Mix Banana Bread Recipe - Pitchfork Foodie Farms (2024)

Quick Bread

By: Amy on November 14, 2022&nbsp|Updated: November 14, 2022

Jump to Recipe Pin Recipe

Cake Mix Banana Bread is such an easy banana bread recipe, like the easiest of all time! It’s a one-bowl banana bread recipe!

You’ll need four simple ingredients (a box of your favorite cake mix, vegetable oil, eggs, and overripe bananas) and about 5 minutes to make the batter and 45 minutes to bake the bread!

Easy Cake Mix Banana Bread Recipe - Pitchfork Foodie Farms (1)

This post and recipe were originally written making banana bread with a strawberry cake mix. It was updated in 2022 to share options for using a variety of cake mixes. The update includes new text and images.

I have to admit that bananas aren’t my favorite food in the world and that’s probably why we always end up with extra over-ripe bananas. It’s also why I’m always looking for another way to use them.

My family loves Sheetpan Banana Bars with Cream Cheese Icing, Hawaiian Banana Bread (if you have time for homemade this is the perfect banana bread), Peanut Butter Banana Muffins, Chocolate Banana Muffins, Banana Oat Cookies, and Banana Brownies.

This cake mix banana bread recipe literally takes the cake when it comes to making quick bread! It couldn’t be easier! And let’s face it, we all need easy sometimes! Like mostly all the time!

This recipe makes two loaves. I love eating one right away and freezing one for later! It freezes really well and is handy to be able to use it on the craziest of days.

Or, when Justin tells me that he’s invited someone that stopped by the farm in for a snack! It’s easy to thaw a loaf and serve with a little fresh fruit!

Why This Recipe is the Best:

Let’s talk about what makes this a great recipe and why this is the best banana bread recipe!

This banana bread recipe with cake mix is so darn tasty that nobody will ever know you didn’t make homemade banana bread from scratch!

It’s fun to bake different variations of this recipe using different cake mix flavors! You can also include other add-ins, too!

It’s foolproof! Follow these simple instructions and it will be perfect every single time!
It’s a four-ingredient banana bread recipe! I love that I can always have the ingredients on hand!
This is a one-bowl banana bread recipe! No need to do dishes all day with this recipe!
Make it in loaf pans, muffin tin, or bundt pan.

Ingredients:

Easy Cake Mix Banana Bread Recipe - Pitchfork Foodie Farms (2)

Cake Mix: Use your favorite variety! Banana bread with yellow cake mix is the classic! I like Betty Crocker, Pillsbury, and Duncan Hine’s cake mixes.

Eggs: Whole eggs

Oil: I use canola oil, you can also use vegetable oil, or use melted butter (using room temperature butter will make the banana bread batter too thick.)

Bananas: Use overripe bananas. It’s okay if they are spotted and pretty black. The older they get the sweeter they are.

Easy Cake Mix Banana Bread Recipe - Pitchfork Foodie Farms (3)

Variations:

I’m giving you the basic cake mix banana bread recipe, but you don’t have to stop with basic! Think of it as the basic recipe that can be customized.

Instructions:

Step 1: Set the oven rack in the center of the oven. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare 5 inch x 9 inch bread pans by spraying them with nonstick cooking spray, or line with parchment paper.

Step 2: Add bananas to the large mixing bowl. Using the electric mixer, mix until the bananas are smashed. It’s okay if has a few lumps.

Step 3: Add cake mix, oil, and eggs to the large bowl. Give it a quick mix until the ingredients are combined. Stir in any additional add-ins.

Step 4: Evenly divide the banana bread batter between the prepared loaf pans.

Step 5: Bake for 40-45 minutes. Cover the bread with aluminum foil if it’s getting too brown on the top and not baked through. This is a moist banana bread recipe. If you’re using the toothpick test method it will still have a few crumbs.

Step 6: Cool bread in the pans for about 10 minutes. Then remove to a wire rack to completely cool. For best results and easier slicing give it time to completely cool before slicing.

Easy Cake Mix Banana Bread Recipe - Pitchfork Foodie Farms (4)

Easy Cake Mix Banana Bread Recipe - Pitchfork Foodie Farms (5)

Baking Pans:

You can make this easy banana bread recipe in two 9 inch x 5 inch loaf pan, in a bundt cake pan, muffin tin, or mini loaf pans. You’ll need to adjust baking times.

5″x9″ loaf pans, makes two loaves, 40-45 minutes baking time
Muffin tins, 24 muffins, 20-25 minutes
Mini Loaf Pans – quantity and time will vary because sizing varies so much
Bundt Pan, 1 cake, 40-50 minutes

Easy Cake Mix Banana Bread Recipe - Pitchfork Foodie Farms (8)

FAQs:

What’s the best way to store banana bread?

Store banana bread in an airtight container, at room temperature, for up to four days.

Does banana bread freeze well?

Other Easy Cake Mix Recipes:

A box of cake mix is an excellent start to so many easy recipes! Here are some of my favorite recipes that take a box cake mix and a few other simple ingredients.

Printable Recipe Card:

Banana Bread Recipe with Cake Mix

5 from 4 votes

Author Amy

Course Bread, Breakfast, cake

Cuisine American

Servings 16 Servings

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 45 minutes mins

Total Time 55 minutes mins

This banana bread recipe using cake mix is so moist, delicious, and easy to make!

Ingredients

▢ 15.25 ounces yellow cake mix
▢ 1/3 cup vegetable oil
▢ 3 bananas overripe
▢ 3 whole eggs

Optional

▢ 1 teaspoon cinnamon
▢ 2 teaspoons vanilla
▢ 1/2 cup walnuts chopped

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour two 5″ x 10″ pans.
Beat bananas until smooth.
Add cake mix, oil, and eggs. Beat until combined.
Add any optional ingredients. Stir to combine.
Divide evenly into prepared loaf pans.
Bake for 40-50 minutes.
Let loaves sit for 10 minutes then remove from pans to wire rack to completely cool. Store cooled loaves in an airtight container.

Notes

Variations:

Use different kinds of cake mix: chocolate, strawberry, butter pecan, etc.
Add-ins: mini chocolate chips, chopped walnuts, pecans, raisins, etc.

How to Store:

Room temperature: Store at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Freezer: Wrap banana bread loaves in plastic wrap. Place wrapped loaves in an airtight container. Freeze for up to 4 months.

Nutrition

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Recipe adapted from my friend Angie!

Easy Cake Mix Banana Bread Recipe - Pitchfork Foodie Farms (2024)

Why This Recipe is the Best:

Ingredients:

Variations:

Instructions:

Baking Pans:

FAQs:

Other Easy Cake Mix Recipes:

Printable Recipe Card:

Banana Bread Recipe with Cake Mix

Ingredients

Optional

Instructions

Notes

Nutrition

tried this recipe?

FAQs

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Should I bake banana bread on middle rack? ›