Description
This is a classic and easy banana bread recipe that yields moist, flavorful loaves with a perfect balance of sweetness and banana flavor. With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, this banana bread is perfect for breakfast, snacks, or dessert. It features a tender crumb and is delicious served warm with a bit of butter.
Ingredients
Scale
Batter 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: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare two 8×4 inch bread pans by lining them with parchment paper or greasing them thoroughly with butter or baking spray to prevent sticking.
- Mash Bananas: In a medium bowl, use a fork to thoroughly mash the bananas, aiming for a mostly smooth texture with some small chunks for added texture. Set aside.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a separate bowl, use a hand or standing mixer to cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy, ensuring the sugar starts to dissolve into the butter.
- Add Eggs: Add the eggs to the creamed butter and sugar mixture, beating well until fully incorporated and the mixture is smooth.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: Add the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt to the butter mixture. Mix until the dry ingredients are fully combined, being careful not to overmix.
- Add Bananas and Vanilla: Fold in the mashed bananas and vanilla extract into the batter until evenly distributed and the batter is homogenous.
- Fill Pans and Bake: Divide the batter evenly between the two prepared bread pans. Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes or until the tops are puffed and golden brown and a cake tester inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool: Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool in the pans for 5-10 minutes. Then, carefully remove the loaves from the pans and transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Serve: Serve the banana bread warm, at room temperature, or chilled. For extra indulgence, spread a little butter on each slice.
Notes
- Using ripe bananas with brown spots enhances the sweetness and banana flavor.
- You can substitute unsalted butter with salted butter if preferred, but omit adding extra salt in the recipe.
- If you don’t have parchment paper, greasing the pans well will help prevent sticking.
- Do not overmix the batter once flour is added to avoid a dense bread.
- The bread keeps well at room temperature for 2-3 days or can be refrigerated for up to a week.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Baking
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: banana bread, easy banana bread, moist banana bread, classic banana bread, homemade banana bread, banana dessert
