Banana bread is a cherished favorite among baked goods, celebrated for its moist texture, robust banana taste, and inviting aroma. Whether you want to use up overripe bananas or are simply in the mood for a comforting homemade treat, this banana bread recipe fits the bill perfectly. It’s easy to prepare with essential ingredients and yields a tender loaf bursting with flavor—ideal as breakfast, dessert, or an anytime snack. Let’s delve into this timeless recipe and discover some valuable tips to enhance it!

Ingredients:

Ingredients for the Banana Bread:

3 large ripe bananas, mashed

2 cups (250 grams) of all-purpose flour

1 tsp baking soda

0.5 teaspoon of salt

1 teaspoon of cinnamon (optional, for extra warmth)

1/2 cup (115g) of unsalted butter, melted

¾ cup (150 grams) granulated sugar

Two large eggs

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/4 cup (60 ml) of milk or buttermilk for extra moistness.

Optional: 1/2 cup (120g) of either chopped walnuts or chocolate chips

Optional Topping:

1 tbsp granulated sugar

a quarter teaspoon of cinnamon

Guidelines:

Warm up the oven:

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line a 9×5-inch (23×13 cm) loaf pan with parchment paper.

Get the Dry Ingredients Ready:

In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon (if desired). Set aside.

Combine the wet ingredients:

In a large mixing bowl, mash the bananas until they are smooth. Then, add the melted butter, sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, and milk. Stir everything together until well combined.

Mix the Wet and Dry Ingredients:

Slowly incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring gently until blended. Be careful not to overmix, as doing so can make the bread dense.

Optional Add-Ins:

Consider folding in chopped walnuts, chocolate chips, or even raisins for additional flavor and texture.

Pour into the baking pan:

Pour the batter into the loaf pan that you have prepared. If you’d like, combine the topping ingredients—sugar and cinnamon—and sprinkle them over the batter.

Make the Banana Bread:

Bake for 50–60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center emerges clean. If the top begins to brown too quickly, cover it loosely with aluminum foil after 30 minutes.

Chill and Present:

Let the banana bread cool in the pan for 10–15 minutes, then move it to a wire rack to finish cooling. Once cooled, slice and enjoy!

Best Tips for Making Banana Bread:

Utilize Overripe Bananas: The riper the bananas, the sweeter and tastier your bread will be. Choose those with dark brown spots for the best results.

Avoid Overmixing. Excessive mixing can result in too much gluten, resulting in dense bread instead of a tender texture.

Modify Sweetness: If your bananas are incredibly ripe, you can slightly decrease the sugar for a more balanced flavor.

Increase Moisture: Using buttermilk, yogurt, or sour cream instead of milk can make the bread even more moist.

You can enhance the flavor by adding a pinch of nutmeg, more cinnamon, or even a splash of rum extract.

Replace half of the granulated sugar with brown sugar for a rich, caramel-like sweetness.