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National Banana Bread Day

Food · February 23

A day for banana bread, the moist, sweet loaf made from overripe bananas, and for the many ways home bakers slice, toast and share it.

National Banana Bread Day falls on Tuesday, February 23, 2027. That is 119 days away.

Banana bread is a quick bread, which means it rises with baking soda or baking powder instead of yeast. The batter comes together in one bowl, goes into a loaf pan, and bakes into something between a cake and a bread.

The key ingredient is a banana well past its prime. Bananas get sweeter and softer as they ripen, and the ones with brown, freckled skins mash easily into the batter and give the loaf its flavor and moisture. Many kitchens keep a few blackening bananas on the counter on purpose, which looks like neglect but is really planning.

Recipes vary a lot from house to house. Some add walnuts or pecans, some fold in chocolate chips, and some swirl cinnamon sugar through the middle. Butter or oil both work, and a little brown sugar deepens the taste. The top often cracks down the center as it bakes, and nobody minds.

People eat it warm with butter, toasted the next morning, or cut into thick slices for a lunchbox. It also travels well, which is why it shows up so often at neighbors' doors and office break rooms.

A loaf usually tastes even better on the second day, once the crumb has settled and the banana flavor has had time to spread.

Ways to celebrate

• Bake a loaf with the spotty bananas sitting on your counter.
• Try adding walnuts, chocolate chips or a cinnamon swirl to your usual recipe.
• Share a few slices with a neighbor or coworker.
• Toast a slice and spread it with butter for breakfast.
• Ask a relative for their banana bread recipe and write it down.

Dates

All national days on February 23

Also on February 23

• National Dog Biscuit Day
• National Play Tennis Day

Categories: Food days