Heavenly Classic Banana Bread

Heavenly Classic Banana Bread

This recipe delivers a perfectly moist, sweet, and comforting banana bread every time. It’s easy to make and uses ingredients you likely already have on hand, perfect for ripe bananas.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 60 minutes
• Total Time: 75 minutes
• Servings: 1 loaf (8-10 slices)

Ingredients:

• Ingredients:
• 1 and 3/4 cups All-Purpose Flour (about 210 g)
• 3/4 teaspoon Baking Soda (about 4 g)
• 1/2 teaspoon Salt (about 3 g)
• 1/2 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon (optional)
• 1/2 cup Unsalted Butter (1 stick or 113 g), softened
• 3/4 cup Packed Light Brown Sugar (about 150 g)
• 1/2 cup Chopped Walnuts or Pecans (optional)
• 2 large Eggs
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract (about 5 ml)
• 1 cup Very Ripe Mashed Bananas (about 3 medium bananas)

Directions:

1. Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to $350. Grease and lightly flour a 9 x 5 inch loaf pan.
2. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon (if using). Set aside.
3. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and brown sugar together with an electric mixer or whisk until light and fluffy (2-3 minutes).
4. Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract and the mashed bananas until just combined.
5. Mix Batter: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring only until the flour is completely incorporated. Do not overmix. If using, gently fold in the chopped nuts.
6. Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Bake for 55 to 65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean.
7. Cool: Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes before carefully transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.

Tips & Variations:

• Banana Ripeness: The riper the bananas (with brown spots), the sweeter and more flavorful your bread will be.
• Add-ins: Feel free to experiment with chocolate chips, dried cranberries, or shredded coconut instead of or in addition to nuts.
• Muffins: This batter can also be used to make muffins! Fill lined muffin tins about two-thirds full and bake for 20-25 minutes.

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Quick & Easy One-Bowl Banana Bread (Busy Chef’s Version)

This streamlined recipe is perfect for when you need delicious banana bread fast, with minimal cleanup. Using melted butter simplifies the process without sacrificing flavor.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Total Time: 60 minutes
• Servings: 1 loaf (8-10 slices)

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Very Ripe Mashed Bananas (about 3 medium bananas)
• 1/3 cup Unsalted Butter (about 5 Tablespoons or 75 g), melted
• 1 large Egg
• 3/4 cup Granulated White Sugar (about 150 g)
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract (about 5 ml)
• 1 and 1/2 cups All-Purpose Flour (180 g)
• 1 teaspoon Baking Soda (about 5 g)
• 1/4 teaspoon Salt (about 1.5 g)

Directions:

1. Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 350. Grease and flour 9 x 5 inch loaf pan.
2. Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, mash the bananas. Stir in the melted butter, egg, sugar, and vanilla until well blended.
3. Add Dry Ingredients: Add the flour, baking soda, and salt to the bowl. Stir everything together with a spoon or spatula just until the dry ingredients are incorporated.
4. Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes, or until a wooden skewer comes out clean.
5. Cool: Cool in the pan for 10 minutes before moving to a wire rack to cool completely.