Description
This Best Banana Bread Recipe is a classic, moist, and flavorful quick bread perfect for breakfast, snacks, or dessert. Made with ripe bananas, butter, sugar, and a hint of vanilla, it yields two loaves of deliciously tender bread with a golden-brown crust. Easy to prepare and perfect for using up overripe bananas, this banana bread is a crowd-pleaser at any time of day.
Ingredients
Scale
Banana Bread 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)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat 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 baking spray to prevent sticking.
- Mash Bananas: In a medium bowl, mash the bananas thoroughly using a fork. Aim for a mixture with mostly smooth texture but small bits of banana pieces remaining for added texture. Set aside.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a separate mixing bowl, use a hand mixer or stand mixer to cream the room temperature unsalted butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy.
- Add Eggs: Incorporate the eggs into the creamed butter and sugar mixture. Continue beating until fully combined and smooth.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Add the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt to the wet mixture. Mix just until the flour mixture is combined with the wet ingredients, being careful not to overmix.
- Mix in Bananas and Vanilla: Finally, fold in the mashed bananas and vanilla extract to the batter until the bananas are evenly incorporated throughout.
- Divide Batter and Bake: Evenly divide the batter between the two prepared bread pans. Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes or until the tops are puffed, golden brown, and a cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool Bread: Allow the banana bread to cool in the pans for 5-10 minutes. Then, carefully remove the loaves from the pans and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Serve: Serve the banana bread warm, at room temperature, or cold. Optionally, spread a little butter on each slice for extra richness and flavor.
Notes
- Using ripe or overripe bananas ensures maximum banana flavor and natural sweetness.
- You can substitute unsalted butter with salted butter but reduce added salt accordingly.
- For moisture variation, adding a tablespoon of sour cream or yogurt can enhance texture.
- Freshly ground cinnamon or nutmeg can be added with dry ingredients for added warmth.
- Store leftover banana bread wrapped tightly at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: banana bread, quick bread, baking, banana recipe, homemade bread, easy banana bread
