Description
This Best Banana Bread Recipe is a moist and flavorful quick bread perfect for using overripe bananas. Made with simple pantry ingredients, it features a tender crumb, subtle sweetness, and a rich banana flavor, making it an ideal snack or breakfast treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 3–4 medium bananas (or 2 large bananas), mashed
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pans: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two 8×4 inch bread pans with parchment paper or grease them well with butter or cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Mash Bananas: In a medium bowl, use a fork to thoroughly mash the bananas until they are mostly smooth but still have some small chunks for added texture. Set aside.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a separate large bowl, use a hand mixer or stand mixer to cream the room temperature unsalted butter with the granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add Eggs: Beat in the eggs one at a time, fully incorporating each before adding the next, ensuring a smooth batter.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Gradually mix in the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt until just combined without overmixing.
- Incorporate Bananas and Vanilla: Fold the mashed bananas and vanilla extract into the batter gently until evenly distributed throughout.
- Divide and Bake: Pour the batter evenly into the prepared loaf pans and bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes or until the tops are golden brown, puffed, and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool Bread: Let the banana bread cool in the pans for 5-10 minutes before transferring the loaves onto a wire rack to cool completely to room temperature.
- Serve: Enjoy the banana bread warm, at room temperature, or chilled. Optionally, spread a little butter on each slice for enhanced flavor and moisture.
Notes
- Make sure bananas are very ripe with brown spots for the best flavor and sweetness.
- Do not overmix the batter once the flour is added to keep the bread tender.
- You can substitute granulated sugar with brown sugar for a deeper flavor.
- This recipe yields two loaves; one can be frozen for later enjoyment.
- Check bread starting at 35 minutes as ovens vary to avoid overbaking.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
- Category: Bread, Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/16th of a loaf)
- Calories: 190 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 220 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 29 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg
Keywords: banana bread, quick bread, easy banana bread, moist banana bread, banana dessert
