Description
This Old Fashioned Banana Bread recipe is a classic, moist and flavorful loaf that tastes just like your grandmother used to make. Perfectly sweetened with ripe bananas and a hint of vanilla, it features a tender crumb enriched with butter and optionally studded with nuts. Ideal for breakfast, snacks, or dessert, this easy-to-make bread satisfies banana bread cravings with a nostalgic touch.
Ingredients
Scale
Wet Ingredients
- 3 very ripe bananas, mashed
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
Optional Add-ins
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan thoroughly to ensure the bread doesn’t stick.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy, which helps create a tender crumb.
- Add Eggs, Bananas, and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated. Then, stir in the mashed bananas and pure vanilla extract for flavor.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon if using. This ensures even distribution of the leavening and spices.
- Mix Dry into Wet: Gradually fold the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients until just combined. Overmixing can lead to a dense bread, so mix gently.
- Add Nuts: If desired, carefully fold in chopped walnuts or pecans to add texture and flavor.
- Pour Batter and Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan, smoothing the top with a spatula. Bake in the preheated oven for 55 to 65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool: Allow the bread to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes to set, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.
Notes
- For extra moist banana bread, use bananas that are very ripe with brown spots.
- You can add 1/2 cup chocolate chips to the batter for a sweeter variation.
- This bread keeps well at room temperature when wrapped for up to 3 days.
- For longer storage, freeze the banana bread for up to 3 months in an airtight container.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Category: Bread, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 230
- Sugar: 16 g
- Sodium: 190 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg
