Description
This classic banana bread recipe yields a moist, flavorful loaf perfect for breakfast or a snack. Made with ripe mashed bananas, warm cinnamon, and a balanced blend of sugars and butter, it’s an easy-to-make treat that comes together quickly and bakes to golden perfection.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
Wet Ingredients
- 1â…“ cups mashed bananas (about 4 small bananas)
- ½ cup unsalted butter (softened) or vegetable oil
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs (room temperature)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a loaf pan or alternatively, line it with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Mash Bananas: Using a fork, mash the bananas until you have about 1â…“ cups of mashed banana with a slightly chunky texture.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a small bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Set this mixture aside for later.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a medium bowl, add softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar. Using a hand mixer on medium speed, mix until the mixture is light and fluffy, approximately 2 minutes. Then, add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition, followed by the vanilla extract. Stir in the mashed bananas until combined.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Gently fold the dry ingredients into the banana mixture, stirring just until incorporated. Avoid overmixing to maintain a tender crumb.
- Fill Pan and Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Bake for 45 to 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Be careful not to overbake to preserve moisture.
- Cool: Allow the bread to cool in the pan for 5 minutes. Then remove from the pan and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.
Notes
- Use ripe bananas with brown spots for the best natural sweetness and flavor.
- Room temperature eggs help achieve a smoother batter.
- Do not overmix the batter; mix just until ingredients are combined to keep the bread moist and tender.
- Test doneness with a toothpick near the end of baking time to avoid a dry loaf.
- You may substitute vegetable oil for butter to make it dairy-free.
