Description
This banana bread is the ultimate comfort food: moist, tender, and full of rich banana flavor. With just the right amount of sweetness and a hint of vanilla, it’s perfect for breakfast, an afternoon snack, or a light dessert.
Ingredients
For the Ultimate Banana Bread:
- 2 to 3 ripe bananas (about 1 ¼ to 1 ½ cups mashed)
- 1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- Optional add-ins: 1/2 cup chocolate chips, 1/2 cup chopped walnuts, or 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan with butter or cooking spray, and optionally line it with parchment paper for easy removal once the bread is baked.
Peel the ripe bananas and place them in a medium-sized mixing bowl. Using a fork or potato masher, mash the bananas until they’re smooth but still a little chunky. You’ll need about 1 ¼ to 1 ½ cups of mashed bananas for this recipe. The more ripe the bananas, the sweeter and more flavorful your bread will be.
In a separate large mixing bowl, combine the melted butter, sugar, and egg. Use a whisk or electric mixer to blend everything together until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Stir in the vanilla extract and mashed bananas. The butter adds moisture to the bread, and the sugar helps create a slight sweetness. The banana provides the main flavor and makes the bread moist.
In another mixing bowl, whisk together the baking soda, salt, and flour. The baking soda helps the bread rise, while the salt enhances the overall flavor. The flour is the base of the bread, providing structure and stability.
Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can result in dense banana bread. The batter should be slightly lumpy but smooth. If you’re adding optional mix-ins like chocolate chips, walnuts, or cinnamon, fold them in gently at this point.
Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan, smoothing the top with a spatula. Bake the banana bread in the preheated oven for 60-65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs. The top should be golden brown, and the bread should feel firm to the touch.
Once the banana bread is finished baking, remove it from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then, carefully transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely. This cooling process helps the bread set and makes it easier to slice without falling apart.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 60-65 minutes
Nutrition
- Calories: 200-250 kcal
- Fat: 9-12g
- Carbohydrates: 30-35g
- Protein: 2-3g