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Banana Bread

Banana Bread
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Banana Bread is a timeless, moist, and flavorful treat made with ripe bananas and simple pantry staples. Perfect as a comforting breakfast, snack, or dessert, this recipe produces a tender loaf with a heartwarming aroma and endless customization options such as nuts, chocolate, or spices.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

  • 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients

  • 3 very ripe bananas, mashed (about 1 ½ cups)
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, melted (or oil)
  • ¾ cup sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Optional Mix-ins

  • ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans
  • ½ cup chocolate chips or 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, nutmeg, or cardamom
  • Substitutions for vegan version: 2 tablespoons flaxseed or chia seeds mixed with 6 tablespoons water
  • Gluten-free option: use gluten-free flour blend instead of all-purpose flour

Instructions

  1. Prepare your bananas: Mash very ripe bananas in a bowl until smooth but still slightly chunky for texture. The ripeness of your bananas directly impacts the sweetness and moisture.
  2. Mix wet ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together melted butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract until well combined and creamy. This creates the base that binds everything together.
  3. Combine wet and dry: Sift flour, baking soda, and salt into the wet mixture. Gently fold until just combined to avoid overmixing, which can make the bread tough.
  4. Add bananas and extras: Fold in the mashed bananas and any optional mix-ins like nuts or chocolate chips. Evenly distribute these for consistent flavor and texture in every bite.
  5. Bake and cool: Pour the batter into a greased loaf pan and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 55-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow it to cool before slicing to maintain structure and moisture.

Notes

  • Use super ripe bananas: The browner and softer, the better for natural sweetness.
  • Don’t overmix: Stir gently to keep the bread light and tender.
  • Test for doneness: Use a toothpick to avoid under or overbaking.
  • Room temperature ingredients: Ensure eggs and butter are room temperature to blend smoothly.
  • Let it rest: Cooling completely improves slicing and enhances flavor.

Nutrition

Keywords: banana bread, homemade banana bread, moist banana bread, easy banana bread, banana bread recipe, comfort food

Find it online: https://marybaking.com/banana-bread/