I would like to say, this banana bread is ridiculously good. It’s so good, in fact, it’s dessert. I sometimes buy bananas and “accidentally” forget to eat them just so I can justify whipping up a loaf of this loveliness. I first discovered the recipe on Orangette (one of the awesomest food blogs ever), but I’ve since made slight modifications to it. Namely, I’ve replaced the vegetable oil with butter and — more importantly — I’ve begun to layer the topping mixture into the actual bread to create a yummy stratification of banana bread layers.

Tempted to get baking yet? (See, it’s smiling for you.)

Honey Cinnamon Banana Bread with Crumble Topping that Makes Your Mouth Water
*via Orangette, originally adapted from Bakesale Betty and Bon Appetit, September 2008

For bread:
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 cup sugar
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 tsp. baking soda
½ tsp. salt
1 cup mashed ripe banana (about 3 medium bananas)
2 large eggs
½ cup melted butter
¼ cup honey
¼ cup water

For topping:
2 Tbsp. sugar
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
2 ½ Tbsp. packed dark brown sugar

Preheat the oven to 350° F. Prep (butter and flour) a loaf pan (a slightly larger-than-normal one would be good as this mixture is really substantial; you can also split the batter between two loaf pans).

In a bowl combine the butter, sugar, eggs, honey, and water. Mix well then add in dry ingredients and mix.

In a smaller bowl, combine the ingredients for the topping.

Pour a layer of batter into the loaf pan then sprinkle with topping mixture. Repeat. Pour remaining batter on top and generously douse with remaining topping mixture (you’ll want to make sure you have enough left over to get the top really well — you could skip a layer if you’d like).

Bake for about one hour, or until a toothpick stuck in the center comes out clean.

Lick remaining batter from bowl.

Wait, you washed the bowl?

Awww, sometimes that’s the best part. Even if you don’t lick the WHOLE thing, you need to have a little taste.

Once the bread finishes baking and it has cooled, slice and eat. My biggest advice here: brace yourself to experience a little piece of heaven.

Life is sooo good, isn’t it?