Banana Bread and Beyond: 17 Ways to Bake with Your Favorite Fruit

In the life of a banana, the time between "perfectly ripe" and "overripe" can be but a fleeting moment. That's why banana bread was invented! And that's just the beginning: Transform your past-prime fruit into first-rate muffins, cakes, cupcakes, cookies, and more.

Banana-Chocolate Bread

Chocolate chunks add a touch of luxury to the workaday loaf. We like the variety of sizes we get from chopping: Tiny bits of chocolate flavor the bread beautifully, while larger ones provide big hits of deliciousness.

We've transformed one of our favorite snacks, bananas schmeared with almond butter, into a spectacular morning muffin. Top with granola before baking for a satisfying crunch.

No butter or eggs allowed? No problem! Coconut oil, ground flaxseed, and almond milk fill in for them seamlessly in this tasty quick bread.

Like a tarte tatin but with bananas! The fruit is thinly sliced and amped up with rum caramel sauce for a showstopping topping.

This Southern layer cake features a crowd-pleasing combination of banana, pineapple, and coconut. The name's origin remains something of a mystery: Some say the appellation was given because the cake is as sweet as nectar; others, that the confection makes you hum with happiness.

You won't miss the sugar in these buckwheat-based muffins. They're plenty sweet without, thanks to the addition of honeycrisp apple, mashed banana, and honey.

In one batch of hearty cookies, find the flavors of two bakery classics: chocolate chip cookies and banana bread. Chopped walnuts and rolled oats give them extra oomph.

Shredded zucchini, ripe banana, and ground flaxseed dial up the nutrition factor in these moist muffins.

These golden-edged banana cookies stuffed with cream-cheese frosting unite two favorites -- whoopie pie and moist banana cake -- in an immensely satisfying revival.

Banana shares the spotlight with carrots, raisins, and oats in these hearty, low-fat muffins.

Flaxseed and walnuts add plenty of healthy fat to this sweet and satisfying bread.

For a handheld treat that takes the cake, try these cute confections -- they combine the flavor of classic banana bread with a creamy spiced frosting.

Two alternative flours -- brown rice and tapioca -- plus finely ground walnuts, potato starch, and xanthan gum give these banana muffins just the right texture.

Moist banana-buttermilk cake studded with crunchy pecans and topped with rich caramel frosting will be the hit of the party.

Even if you already have a go-to blueberry muffin recipe, you have to try this light, moist rendition incorporating wheat germ and ripe bananas. It'll make a convert out of anyone.

Everyone needs a great banana bread recipe in their recipe box to make good use of ripe fruit. This loaf uses three cups of mashed banana as well as crunchy toasted walnuts.

This delicious twist on the classic quick bread is wonderfully moist thanks to mashed banana and buttermilk. Ground cloves and cinnamon add a touch of warmth.