Description
This easy banana bread recipe delivers moist, flavorful loaves perfect for breakfast, snacks, or dessert. Made with ripe bananas, buttery richness, and a touch of vanilla, it’s a classic comfort food that’s simple to prepare and bakes up beautifully golden brown with a tender crumb.
Ingredients
Scale
Banana Bread Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (at room temperature)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3-4 medium bananas (or 2 large bananas)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare two 8×4-inch bread pans by lining them with parchment paper or greasing them thoroughly to prevent sticking.
- Mash the bananas: In a medium bowl, mash the bananas well until there are no large chunks, then set aside.
- Cream butter and sugar: In a separate bowl, use a mixer or whisk to cream the room temperature butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy.
- Add eggs: Incorporate the eggs one at a time into the creamed mixture, beating well after each addition to ensure everything is fully combined.
- Combine dry ingredients: Add the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt into the wet mixture and mix until just combined.
- Add bananas and vanilla: Stir in the mashed bananas and vanilla extract until the batter is uniformly blended.
- Divide batter: Evenly distribute the batter between the two prepared bread pans.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until the bread tops are puffed and golden brown and a toothpick or cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool the bread: Allow the loaves to cool in the pans for 5-10 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Serve: Enjoy the banana bread warm, at room temperature, or chilled according to your preference.
Notes
- For extra moist bread, use very ripe bananas with brown spots.
- You can add nuts or chocolate chips if desired for variation.
- Store banana bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
- Freeze leftover banana bread tightly wrapped for up to 3 months.
- If you prefer, substitute half the sugar with brown sugar for a deeper flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
