This Banana Bread Recipe with Cake Mix is a simple, quick, and delicious way to make homemade banana bread with minimal effort. Using just a box of yellow cake mix, ripe bananas, eggs, and oil, you can create a moist and flavorful loaf in no time. The recipe is highly versatile, allowing for optional add-ins like chocolate chips, nuts, and spices to suit your taste.
Mixing bowls For combining the ingredients, you'll need at least two bowls: one for mixing the wet ingredients and one for mashing the bananas.
Loaf Pan (9x5-inch) This is the standard size for baking the banana bread.
Electric Hand Mixer or Whisk To easily mix the cake mix, eggs, and oil. A whisk can also work if you don’t have a hand mixer.
Fork or Potato Masher To mash the ripe bananas into a smooth mixture.
Spatula or spoon: For mixing the mashed bananas into the batter and spreading it evenly in the loaf pan.
Ingredients
1/3CupVegetable Oil
1Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
1/2CupChocolate Chips
1/2CupChopped Nuts
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan.
Mash 3 ripe bananas in a bowl and mix with 1 box of cake mix, 2 eggs, 1/3 cup oil, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.
Stir in optional ingredients like chocolate chips, nuts, or cinnamon.
Pour batter into the prepared loaf pan and spread evenly.
Bake for 50-60 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean, then cool before slicing and serving.
Notes
Banana Ripeness: Use overripe bananas for the best flavor and moisture. The more brown spots on the bananas, the sweeter and more flavorful the bread will be.
Cake Mix Variations: This recipe calls for yellow cake mix, but you can experiment with other flavors, such as spice cake, butter pecan, or even chocolate cake mix for a unique twist.
Mix-Ins: If you’re adding chocolate chips, nuts, or spices like cinnamon, feel free to adjust the quantities to your taste. These additions can change the texture and flavor of the bread.
Baking Time: Keep an eye on the bread during baking. Ovens vary, so start checking for doneness around the 50-minute mark by inserting a toothpick into the center of the loaf. If it comes out clean or with just a few crumbs, the bread is done.
Cooling Time: Let the banana bread cool for at least 10 minutes in the pan before removing it. This helps the bread set and makes it easier to slice without falling apart.
Storage: Store leftover banana bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days. You can also freeze it for up to 3 months by slicing it first for easy access.
Loaf Size Adjustments: If you’re making mini loaves or muffins, adjust the baking time. Mini loaves take about 30-40 minutes, while muffins take 20-25 minutes.