Toasted Walnut Banana Bread with Maple

Steps

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Melt the butter and let it cool slightly. Brush a 9x5-inch loaf pan with about a teaspoon of the melted butter, keeping the rest for the batter, and line the pan with a parchment sling.
2. Spread the walnuts on a baking sheet and toast in the oven for 7 to 8 minutes until fragrant. Let cool, then divide: about three quarters for the batter and the remaining quarter for the topping.
3. In a medium bowl, whisk the flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt to make the dry mixture.
4. In a large bowl, mash the banana, then whisk in the remaining melted butter, the brown sugar, eggs, buttermilk, maple syrup and vanilla until smooth.
5. Add the dry mixture to the banana mixture and fold with a spatula just until no dry streaks remain. Fold in the three quarters of the walnuts set aside for the batter.
6. Scrape the batter into the pan and smooth the top. In a small bowl, toss the remaining quarter of the walnuts with the granulated sugar, then scatter this walnut-sugar topping over the batter.
7. Bake 55 to 65 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean; tent with foil after 40 minutes if the top browns quickly.
8. Cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then lift out and cool on a rack for at least 45 minutes before cutting into 12 slices.