Description
Banana bread blends comforting flavors with irresistible home-baked charm, promising warmth in every slice. Sweet bananas and subtle spices create a delightful treat that beckons you to savor each delectable moment.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1.5 cups all-purpose flour
- 3 ripe bananas, mashed
- 1 large egg, beaten
Wet Ingredients:
- ⅓ cup (79 milliliters) melted butter (unsalted)
- ¾ cup (150 grams) sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Dry and Optional Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup (57 grams) chopped nuts (like walnuts or pecans) or chocolate chips (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the baking vessel by coating the interior of a 9×5 inch loaf pan with butter or parchment paper, ensuring complete coverage to prevent sticking.
- Transform ripe bananas into a silky puree using a fork, creating a smooth foundational texture for the bread’s moisture and flavor.
- Incorporate melted butter into the mashed bananas, stirring until the mixture achieves a uniform consistency and rich golden hue.
- Introduce sugar, whisked egg, and vanilla extract, blending thoroughly to create a harmonious liquid base that will bind the bread’s ingredients.
- Gently disperse baking soda and salt across the wet mixture, then sift flour gradually, folding with minimal manipulation to maintain a tender crumb.
- Optional: Enhance the batter’s complexity by folding in chopped walnuts or dark chocolate chips, distributing them evenly throughout the mixture.
- Transfer the batter into the prepared loaf pan, ensuring an even surface and smooth top for consistent baking.
- Position the pan in a preheated 350°F oven, allowing the bread to bake for 50-60 minutes until a inserted toothpick emerges completely clean.
- Remove from oven and let the banana bread rest within the pan for approximately 10 minutes, allowing initial cooling and structural stabilization.
- Carefully extract the loaf and place on a wire cooling rack, permitting complete temperature reduction before slicing to preserve moisture and prevent crumbling.
Notes
- Ripeness matters dramatically for the most flavorful banana bread, selecting bananas with dark brown or black speckled peels ensures maximum natural sweetness.
- Avoid overmixing the batter to prevent tough, dense texture; gently fold ingredients until just combined to maintain a light, tender crumb.
- Consider adding Greek yogurt or sour cream for extra moisture, which helps create a softer, more tender banana bread with enhanced richness.
- Experiment with gluten-free flour blends or almond flour for a low-carb version that maintains the classic banana bread taste and texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5060 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg