Best Easy Banana Bread

Step-by-Step recipe for making delicious Banana Bread

Ingredients

Dry Ingredients:

  - 2 cups all-purpose flour

  - 1 teaspoon baking soda

  - 1/4 teaspoon salt

  - 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)

Wet Ingredients:

  - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled

  - 3/4 cup brown sugar (light or dark)

  - 2 large eggs, at room temperature

  - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

  - 2 cups mashed ripe bananas (about 4 large bananas)

Optional Add-ins:

  - 1/2 cup chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans)

  - 1/2 cup chocolate chips

Instructions:

1. Preheat the Oven:

   - Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x5 inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.

2. Prepare Dry Ingredients:

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

3. Mix Wet Ingredients:

   - In a large mixing bowl, combine the melted butter and brown sugar. Whisk until smooth and well combined.

   - Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.

   - Stir in the vanilla extract.

4. Mash the Bananas:

   - In a separate bowl, mash the ripe bananas until smooth. It's okay if there are a few small lumps; this will add texture to the bread.

5. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients:

   - Add the mashed bananas to the wet ingredients and mix until well combined.

   - Gradually add the dry ingredients to the banana mixture. Stir gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the bread dense and tough.

6. Fold in Add-ins (Optional):

   - If you're using nuts or chocolate chips, fold them into the batter until evenly distributed.

7. Pour into Pan:

   - Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Use a spatula to spread it evenly.

8. Bake:

   - Place the loaf pan in the preheated oven and bake for 60-70 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs. If the top starts to brown too quickly, you can cover it loosely with aluminum foil.

9. Cool:

   - Remove the banana bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes.

   - Carefully remove the bread from the pan and transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.

10. Serve:

    - Once the banana bread is completely cool, slice and serve. Enjoy it plain, with butter, or even with a spread of cream cheese.

Tips for Best Results:

1. Use Ripe Bananas: The riper the bananas, the sweeter and more flavorful your bread will be. Look for bananas with lots of brown spots.
2. Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure eggs are at room temperature for better incorporation.
3. Don’t Overmix: Overmixing the batter can lead to dense, tough bread. Mix just until the ingredients are combined.
4. Add-ins: Customize your banana bread with your favorite add-ins like nuts, chocolate chips, or dried fruit.

Storage

Room Temperature: Wrap the banana bread tightly in plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Freezing: Banana bread freezes well. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil or place it in a freezer bag. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. To thaw, leave it at room temperature for several hours or overnight.

Enjoy your homemade banana bread!