To make banana bread, follow these general steps based on popular, reliable recipes:
Ingredients
- Ripe bananas (3-4, mashed, about 1.5 cups)
- All-purpose flour (about 1.5 to 2 cups)
- Baking soda (1 teaspoon)
- Salt (a pinch)
- Butter (about 1/2 cup or 1 stick, softened or melted)
- Brown sugar (1/2 to 3/4 cup)
- Eggs (2 large)
- Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon)
- Optional: cinnamon, nutmeg, and chopped nuts (e.g., walnuts)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, and optional spices like cinnamon or nutmeg.
- Prepare wet ingredients: In another large bowl, cream together softened butter and brown sugar until smooth. Add eggs one at a time, beating well. Stir in mashed bananas and vanilla extract until combined.
- Combine: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing gently until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the bread tender.
- Add nuts or other mix-ins if desired, folding them in gently.
- Bake: Pour batter into the prepared pan. Bake for about 55-65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. If the top browns too quickly, tent with foil halfway through baking.
- Cool: Let the bread cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.
Tips for Moist Banana Bread
- Use very ripe or overripe bananas for the best flavor and moisture.
- Do not overmix the batter.
- Optionally, add yogurt or sour cream if you have less banana to maintain moisture.
This method yields a moist, flavorful banana bread with a tender crumb
