Banana Bread

Banana bread is a classic, comforting treat that’s perfect for using up overripe bananas. Moist, flavorful, and easy to make, this recipe will quickly become a household favorite.

Ingredients

• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups mashed ripe bananas (about 3-4 bananas)
• 1/4 cup sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)
• 1/2 cup chopped nuts or chocolate chips (optional)

Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven:

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
• Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper.

2. Cream Butter and Sugar:

• In a large mixing bowl, beat the sugar and butter together until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.

3. Add Eggs and Vanilla:

• Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
• Mix in the vanilla extract.

4. Incorporate Bananas and Sour Cream:

• Stir in the mashed bananas and sour cream (or Greek yogurt) until well combined.

5. Combine Dry Ingredients:

• In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.

6. Mix Wet and Dry Ingredients:

• Gradually add the dry ingredients to the banana mixture, stirring until just combined. Do not overmix.
• If using, fold in the chopped nuts or chocolate chips.

7. Bake:

• Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and spread it evenly.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 60-70 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
• If the top starts to brown too quickly, tent it with aluminum foil for the last 15 minutes of baking.

8. Cool:

• Remove the banana bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes.
• Transfer the bread to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.

Tips for Perfect Banana Bread

1. Ripe Bananas: The riper the bananas, the better the flavor. Overripe bananas with brown spots are ideal.
2. Mixing: Avoid overmixing the batter to prevent a dense, tough bread. Mix until just combined.
3. Add-Ins: Customize your banana bread with various add-ins like chopped walnuts, pecans, chocolate chips, or even dried fruit.
4. Storage: Store banana bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, refrigerate for up to a week or freeze for up to 3 months.
5. Moisture: Adding sour cream or Greek yogurt helps keep the banana bread moist and tender.

Enjoy this classic banana bread with a cup of coffee or tea, or as a delightful snack any time of the day!