Description
This classic Old-Fashioned Banana Bread recipe yields moist, tender slices bursting with ripe banana flavor. Featuring simple ingredients like mashed bananas, melted butter, and all-purpose flour, it’s the perfect comfort bake for breakfast or an afternoon snack. Optional cinnamon and walnuts or chocolate chips add warmth and texture, making this loaf delightfully rich yet easy to prepare.
Ingredients
Scale
Banana Bread Batter
- 3 ripe bananas – mashed
- ½ cup unsalted butter – melted
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs – at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon – optional, for extra warmth
Optional Add-ins
- ½ cup chopped walnuts or chocolate chips – optional, for added texture and flavor
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
- Mash the Bananas: In a large mixing bowl, mash the ripe bananas until smooth using a fork or potato masher.
- Mix the Wet Ingredients: Add the melted butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract to the mashed bananas. Whisk until well combined.
- Combine the Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon if using.
- Mix the Batter: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring gently with a spatula or wooden spoon until just combined. If using walnuts or chocolate chips, fold them in at this stage. Avoid overmixing to keep the bread light and tender.
- Bake the Banana Bread: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top. Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool and Serve: Let the banana bread cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring it to a cooling rack to cool completely. Slice and enjoy!
Notes
- For best results, use very ripe bananas with brown spots for maximum sweetness and moisture.
- You can substitute walnuts with pecans or leave nuts out altogether for a nut-free version.
- Add a teaspoon of lemon juice to mashed bananas if you want to prevent browning before mixing.
- Store banana bread wrapped tightly at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze for longer storage.
- To enhance flavor, consider adding a dash of nutmeg or substituting half the sugar with brown sugar.
