Dolly Parton Banana Bread (Doctored Cake Mix Recipe)

Dolly Parton Banana Bread is a sweet, Southern-style twist on classic banana bread! Made with Dolly’s banana cake mix, ripe bananas, and butter, this moist, flavorful loaf comes together in minutes and tastes like homemade magic.

Here in the South We Love Our Banana Bread!

Which is one reason why I have so many variations on this blog. No, really. I have fine-tuned the art of banana-bread-baking over many, many years, and it's hard to top the ones I already have.

But, a Doctored Cake Mix Banana Bread that starts with a Dolly Parton mix?

Yes, Please!

Dolly Parton for the Win!

If you love the sweet, nostalgic flavor of banana bread but want a shortcut that feels downright celebrity-worthy, this Dolly Parton Banana Bread is calling your name!

As I mentioned above, this easy loaf starts with Dolly’s signature Banana Cake Mix—and the result is pure Southern comfort in every slice. Moist, flavorful, and lightly buttery, it’s the perfect cross between banana bread and cake, and it couldn’t be easier to whip up. (No, really! I'm as lazy as they come and even I could do it!)

Just like Dolly herself, this bread has a little extra charm—it’s sweet, golden, and always a crowd-pleaser. Serve it warm with a pat of butter or a drizzle of glaze, and you’ve got a show-stopping treat worthy of the stage.

What are we waiting for? Let's back some banana bread, y'all!

Ingredients You’ll Need

You’ll find the full printable recipe card at the bottom of this post, but here’s a quick peek at what you’ll need to make this delicious banana bread:

• 1 box Dolly Parton Banana Cake Mix (15.25 oz)
• ½ cup butter, room temperature (salted or unsalted, your choice)
• 3 large eggs
• 3 overripe bananas, mashed
• ¾ cup chopped pecans (or walnuts, optional)
• ¼ cup mini chocolate chips (optional, I skipped them)
• ¼ cup powdered sugar, for dusting

Note: You can also substitute the nuts for shredded coconut for a “Dolly twist.”

How to Make Dolly Parton Banana Bread

This comes together so easily, y'all. Here's how you're going to do it.

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9x5-inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.

Place bananas, butter, and eggs into a mixing bowl.

Mash them well, mixing until it all comes together.

Stir in the Dolly Parton Banana Cake Mix until well incorporated. The batter will be thick and rich.

Fold in nuts or chocolate chips if desired.

Scoop the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top. If you're using a loaf pan (which I did) just make sure you don't over-fill it. Not all loaf pans are equal measure! You'll need room for the bread to "grow." (It will rise a good inch or more.)

Bake for 55–65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. (Tent loosely with foil at the 45-minute mark if it begins to brown too much.)

Cool on a wire rack for 10–15 minutes, then remove from the pan to cool completely.

Dust with powdered sugar before serving—or drizzle with glaze for extra flair.

Why You’ll Love This Dolly Parton Banana Bread

• Easy as pie (or, well, bread): Starts with a boxed cake mix, so you’ll have minimal prep and no stress.
• Moist and tender: The combination of butter, eggs, and ripe bananas gives you bakery-style texture every time.
• Full of personality: Using Dolly’s banana cake mix adds a special touch of sweetness and nostalgia.
• Crowd-pleasing flavor: Perfect for brunches, potlucks, gifting, or late-night cravings.

Variations to Try

• Coconut Dream Loaf: Add ½ cup shredded sweetened coconut. I confess, I almost threw in some coconut this time around but decided to put that idea on pause until I knew how it would work out.
• Peanut Butter Twist: Swirl in ¼ cup melted peanut butter before baking. If you love peanut butter and bananas, this one will be a real hit!
• Chocolate Lovers’ Loaf: Add 1 tablespoon cocoa powder and a handful of chocolate chunks. (I've got a great chocolate banana bread recipe already, by the way!)
• Glazed Perfection: Drizzle with a simple glaze made from powdered sugar and milk. This is a quick way to add more sweetness. (Not that this recipe needs more sweetness, mind you!)

Storage Tips

Store at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for up to 5.
For longer storage, freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.

Other Banana Favorites

A I mentioned above, I've got a plethora of banana breads and other banana treats available on this blog. Here are some of my very favorites:

• Easy Sour Cream Banana Bread: Moist and over-the-top delicious!
• Simple Banana Berry Bread with Mayonnaise: One of my personal favorite. I LOVE the bite of sweet berries inside!
• Cranberry Banana Bread Loaf: Perfect for the holidays!
• Easy Banana Bread Maui: For a topical twist!

That's it for this post, friends! Thanks for stopping by. If you make this recipe and love it, please leave a review! And don't forget to pin some photos to your Pinterest boards before you go!

About the Baker

Hi there! I’m Janice, the baker behind Out of the Box Baking, where I share easy, creative recipes that start with a simple boxed mix. I couldn’t resist trying Dolly’s Banana Cake Mix in this loaf—and y’all, it’s pure magic. If you loved my viral Dolly Parton Coconut Cookies, this recipe’s your next must-bake!