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Banana Bread

This easy and moist banana bread recipe transforms ripe bananas into a comfort food delight, perfect for breakfast or as a dessert.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 10 slices
Course: Breakfast, Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American
Calories: 200
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened For richer flavor, brown the butter slightly.
  • 1 cup granulated sugar Use 3/4 cup for a less-sweet loaf.
  • 2 large eggs, at room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1.5 cups mashed very ripe bananas (about 3 large bananas). The riper, the sweeter and more aromatic.
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour Swap half for whole wheat for a heartier texture.
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 0.5 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 0.5 cup sour cream or plain yogurt Adds tang and moisture; use applesauce for a lighter texture.
  • 0.5 cup chopped walnuts or pecans Optional — omit for nut-free, or add chocolate chips for an indulgent dessert.
  • pinch cinnamon or nutmeg If you like a warm spice note.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan and line with parchment paper, letting a bit hang over the sides for easy lifting.
  2. In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy — about 2–3 minutes.
  3. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, then stir in the vanilla. Add the mashed bananas and sour cream.
  4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and optional spices.
  5. Fold the dry mixture into the banana mixture until just combined. If using nuts or chocolate chips, fold them in now.
  6. Pour batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top. For a gorgeous crust, sprinkle a few extra banana slices or extra nuts on top.
Baking
  1. Bake for 55–65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out mostly clean with a few moist crumbs.
  2. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then lift the loaf out using the parchment and finish cooling on a rack.

Notes

If you are after a healthy option, replace half the butter with mashed avocado and reduce sugar by 1/4 cup. For a festive treat, fold in dried cranberries and orange zest. Store the loaf wrapped tightly for up to 3 days, or freeze slices for up to 3 months.