While we were in Maui, banana bread was everywhere. For two people who love fall and are counting down the days until then, this was a treat. One of our first encounters with banana bread was at the Old Lahaina Luau. We got a loaf as a gift at the end of the night. It was heavenly. From that moment on, we saw banana bread everywhere. However, we had our eyes set on Julia’s Best Banana Bread.

I left my parents with specific instructions to stop by Julia’s Best Banana Bread.

Before we left for vacation, I was told Julia’s was THE banana bread to try. My cousin’s husband, who grew up in Hawaii, said it was the best. So, I penciled this stop into our itinerary. On the day after my cousin’s wedding, my parents told me they wanted to drive around the island, and my sister wanted to snorkel. I couldn’t turn down snorkeling, so I left my parents with specific instructions to stop by Julia’s.

We had an amazing day snorkeling in Honolua Bay. When we eventually met up with my parents, I searched around for the loaf of banana bread they were supposed to pick up. Nothing. They told me they drove right past the treehouse and couldn’t turn around because the road was too narrow. I died.

So here we are, back in New York. Not having had the joy of eating Julia’s Best Banana Bread in Maui. Would we really dedicate a whole post to talking about Julia’s?

Twist. Bon Appetit highlighted Julia’s Maui-famous Best Banana Bread recipe in 2013. In Lilies and Loafers fashion, I tried it out and baked a loaf. It really was damn good banana bread. So moist, so fragrant, so delicious. But how would I know?

Luckily, you can order right from Julia’s website and have banana bread shipped right to New York. Crazy? Maybe. Was it worth it?

Hell yes.

Oh my goodness. Holy moist. You could taste the Maui sunshine the bananas were soaking up. I am so upset I was not able to visit Julia’s in person. That would have totally completed the experience. However, ordering a loaf was so worth it.

Recipe vs. the real thing.

While both loaves were delicious, there were slight differences between the two. If you don’t order a loaf or stop by in person, this recipe will get you the closest to a loaf of delicious banana bread.

1. Loaf pan size. I used a 10″ pan. The recipe calls for three, small 5¾” x 3¼” pans. While mine was still delicious, it was slightly drier than Julia’s loaf. I would follow their instruction to use the smaller pans.
2. Banana ripeness. If you’re going to follow the recipe, make sure your bananas are ripe. I could have waited a day or two longer for my bananas to fully ripen, but I was too eager. Waiting will definitely enhance the banana flavor in the bread. You can taste that in the loaf I ordered from Julia’s.