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Banana Bread

A warm, comforting banana bread recipe that combines simple pantry ingredients for a nostalgic treat, perfect for any occasion.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 10 slices
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American
Calories: 200
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Dry Ingredients
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour For a whole-grain twist, use half whole-wheat flour.
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon Optional, but comforting.
Wet Ingredients
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened Swap for coconut oil for dairy-free.
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar Reduce to 1/2 cup for a less sweet, healthier option.
  • 2 large eggs, at room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup very ripe bananas, mashed (the riper, the better)
  • 1/4 cup sour cream or plain yogurt Adds tenderness; use dairy-free yogurt for swaps.
Optional Add-ins
  • 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans Or 1/2 cup chocolate chips for an indulgent dessert twist.
  • Zest of 1 orange Optional for a bright note.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9 x 5-inch loaf pan and line it with parchment for easy removal.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Set aside.
  3. In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 2–3 minutes by hand or 1 minute in a mixer.
Mixing
  1. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla.
  2. Fold in the mashed bananas and sour cream until combined.
  3. Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring just until no streaks of flour remain.
  4. Fold in nuts or chocolate chips, if using.
Baking
  1. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Optionally, sprinkle extra nuts or chocolate chips on top.
  2. Bake for 55–65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
  3. Let the loaf cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then lift out with the parchment and cool on a rack.

Notes

For a moister crumb, add an extra tablespoon of sour cream. If not using nuts, consider toasted oats or seeds for crunch. For a festive twist, add dried cranberries and orange zest.