Description
Indulgent banana bread whisks home bakers into a world of comforting sweetness, blending ripe bananas with classic pantry staples. Warm slices promise delightful moments of pure culinary pleasure for anyone craving a slice of homemade comfort.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 3 large ripe bananas, mashed (about 1 ½ cups or 360 g)
- 2 large eggs
- 2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
- ½ cup (115 g) unsalted butter, softened
Leavening and Seasoning Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon (optional)
Additional Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ cup (60 ml) sour cream or plain yogurt
- ½ cup (80 g) chopped nuts or chocolate chips (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the baking environment by heating the oven to 350F (175C). Coat a 9×5-inch loaf pan with grease and flour, or create a protective parchment paper lining.
- Craft a dry ingredient mixture by whisking flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and optional cinnamon in a medium mixing bowl until thoroughly combined.
- Transform butter and sugar into a fluffy, light mixture using an electric mixer, blending for approximately 2-3 minutes until the texture becomes creamy and pale.
- Introduce eggs individually to the butter-sugar blend, ensuring complete integration after each addition. Incorporate mashed bananas, vanilla extract, and sour cream or yogurt, stirring until a smooth consistency develops.
- Gently merge the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring minimally to prevent overworking the batter. Delicately fold in optional nuts or chocolate chips, distributing them evenly throughout the mixture.
- Transfer the completed batter into the prepared loaf pan, smoothing the surface for even baking. Place in the preheated oven and bake for 55-65 minutes, monitoring until a toothpick inserted into the center emerges clean and dry.
- Allow the banana bread to rest in the pan for 10 minutes, then carefully transfer to a wire cooling rack. Let the bread cool completely before slicing and serving to ensure optimal texture and flavor.
Notes
- Customize sweetness by using ripe, speckled bananas for deeper, more intense flavor and natural sugars.
- Prevent dry texture by avoiding overmixing the batter, which can develop tough gluten and create dense bread.
- Enhance nutrition by substituting half the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for added fiber and complex nutrients.
- Control moisture levels by draining excess liquid from yogurt or sour cream before adding to the mixture, ensuring perfect bread consistency.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55-65 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8 to 10
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 20 g
- Sodium: 200 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg