Description
Warm banana bread fills the kitchen with comfort that wraps around your senses like a gentle hug. Mixing ripe bananas, flour, and a dash of cinnamon creates a simple treat perfect for lazy weekend mornings or afternoon snacks.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 to 3 medium very ripe bananas
- ⅓ cup butter
Supporting Ingredients:
- ¾ cup sugar
- 1 large egg
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
Flavor Enhancers:
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 pinch salt
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F and prepare a 9×5-inch loaf pan by thoroughly coating it with butter and a light dusting of flour.
- Grab 2-3 very ripe bananas and mash them completely in a large mixing bowl until they form a smooth, creamy texture.
- Pour ⅓ cup of melted butter over the mashed bananas and blend thoroughly using a whisk or spatula.
- Sprinkle ½ teaspoon of baking soda and a pinch of salt into the banana mixture, stirring until evenly distributed.
- Add ¾ cup of sugar and stir gently, then incorporate 1 beaten egg and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, mixing until the ingredients are fully combined.
- Gradually fold in 1 ½ cups of all-purpose flour, stirring carefully to prevent overmixing and ensure a tender bread texture.
- Transfer the batter into your prepared loaf pan, smoothing the top with a spatula to create an even surface.
- Place the pan in the preheated 350°F oven and bake for 55-60 minutes, rotating halfway through to ensure even browning.
- Test the bread’s doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should come out clean with just a few moist crumbs.
- Remove the pan from the oven and let the bread rest inside for 10 minutes before carefully transferring to a wire cooling rack.
Notes
- Ripe bananas make the most flavorful banana bread, so let those spotted bananas sit on the counter until they’re super soft and sweet.
- Overmixing the batter can create tough, dense bread, so fold the flour gently and stop mixing as soon as the ingredients are just combined.
- For a gluten-free version, swap regular flour with a cup-for-cup gluten-free flour blend that includes xanthan gum.
- Toss in chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or dried fruit to customize your banana bread and add extra texture and flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50-60 minutes
- Category: Breads
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5 to 6
- Calories: 215 kcal
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg