Description
Warm, comforting banana bread brings memories of grandma’s kitchen with its rich, moist texture and irresistible aroma. Homemade goodness fills your home as golden-brown slices promise pure delight with each delectable bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 3 to 4 ripe bananas (mashed)
- 1 large egg (beaten)
Wet Ingredients:
- ½ cup unsalted butter (melted)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
Dry and Seasoning Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 pinch of salt
- Optional: 1/2 cup chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans)
Instructions
- Prepare the baking environment by heating the oven to 350°F and coating a 9×5-inch loaf pan with grease to prevent sticking.
- Transform ripe bananas into a smooth pulp using a fork or potato masher, creating a creamy base for the bread.
- Incorporate melted butter into the mashed bananas, creating a rich foundation, then blend in beaten egg and vanilla extract for depth of flavor.
- Create a dry mixture by whisking flour, baking soda, and a subtle pinch of salt in a separate vessel, ensuring even distribution of leavening agents.
- Gently fold the dry ingredients into the banana mixture, stirring minimally to maintain a tender texture. Lumps are acceptable and contribute to the bread’s rustic character.
- Optional: Enhance the batter by folding in chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or raisins for additional complexity and crunch.
- Transfer the batter into the prepared pan, smoothing the surface to ensure even baking and an appealing final appearance.
- Bake for 60-75 minutes, monitoring closely after 50 minutes. The bread is ready when a toothpick inserted into the center emerges clean, indicating perfect doneness.
- Allow the bread to rest in the pan for 10-15 minutes, enabling it to set and become more manageable for removal.
- Carefully transfer the loaf to a wire rack, letting it cool completely to room temperature for optimal slicing and texture.
- Slice and serve the banana bread, optionally spreading with butter or cream cheese for an extra indulgent experience.
- Preserve leftover bread in an airtight container at room temperature for short-term storage or refrigerate for extended freshness.
Notes
- Use extremely ripe, almost black bananas for maximum sweetness and deeper banana flavor.
- Gently fold ingredients to prevent tough, dense bread by avoiding overmixing the batter.
- Customize your bread by adding mix-ins like walnuts, pecans, or dark chocolate chips for extra texture and flavor.
- Create gluten-free version by substituting regular flour with almond or coconut flour for a low-carb alternative.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 75 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 20mg