This Classic Banana Bread is soft, moist, and full of sweet banana flavor. It’s the perfect way to use ripe bananas and makes a delicious breakfast, snack, or dessert.
Ingredients
- 3 very ripe bananas, mashed
- ½ cup (115 g) unsalted butter, melted
- ¾ cup (150 g) granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1½ cups (190 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
Optional Mix-Ins
- ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans
- ½ cup chocolate chips
- ¼ cup shredded coconut
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch (23×13 cm) loaf pan or line it with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the mashed bananas, melted butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla until smooth.
- In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
- Gently fold the dry ingredients into the banana mixture until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Fold in any optional mix-ins, if using.
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top.
- Bake for 50–60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
- Cool in the pan for 10–15 minutes, then transfer the loaf to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.
Prep Time
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Bake Time: 50–60 minutes
- Total Time: About 1 hour 10 minutes
Tips
- The riper the bananas (with lots of brown spots), the sweeter and more flavorful the bread will be.
- Avoid overmixing the batter to keep the loaf tender.
- Sprinkle coarse sugar or extra chopped nuts on top before baking for a crunchy topping.
- Store wrapped at room temperature for up to 3 days, in the refrigerator for up to 1 week, or freeze for up to 3 months.
Enjoy a warm slice with butter, cream cheese, or a drizzle of honey for an irresistible homemade treat