Banana Bread Recipe
Banana Bread Recipe is a classic and versatile treat that transforms ripe bananas into a moist and flavorful loaf. This recipe guides you through the simple steps of mixing ripe bananas with common pantry ingredients to create a comforting and delicious baked delight. Whether served as a warm breakfast with butter, a sweet dessert with ice cream, or any other way you prefer, banana bread is a timeless favorite that brings warmth and nostalgia to every bite.
Ingredients
- 2 to 3 ripe bananas about 1 cup when mashed
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter 1 stick, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract optional
- 1/2 to 1 cup of optional add-ins such as chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or dried fruit (adjust to your preference)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9x5-inch loaf pan.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the mashed bananas, melted butter, baking soda, salt, sugar, egg, and vanilla extract.
- Gradually add the flour to the wet ingredients and mix until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and bake for 55-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let the banana bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes before inverting it onto a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- Ripe Bananas: The key to a flavorful banana bread is using ripe bananas. Look for bananas with brown speckles or completely brown skins. These overripe bananas are sweeter and have a stronger banana flavor, which will enhance the bread's taste and moisture.
- Butter: Unsalted butter is preferred for better control of the salt content in the recipe. You can use salted butter but adjust the additional salt accordingly.
- Optional Add-ins: Feel free to customize your banana bread by adding chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or dried fruit. These additions can add texture and extra layers of flavor to your bread. The quantity of add-ins can be adjusted to suit your personal preferences.