Description
Banana Bread has always had a special place in my kitchen. The kind of recipe you turn to on slow Sunday mornings or when a few speckled bananas sit quietly on the counter, begging not to be thrown away. I remember the first time I made it on my own—just two overripe bananas, a wooden spoon, and a mixing bowl in a quiet kitchen. The scent that filled the house as it baked was pure nostalgia: warm, sweet, and gently spiced.
Ingredients
Scale
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- 2 medium overripe bananas (about 1 cup mashed)
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- 1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted (or use vegetable oil)
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- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
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- 1/4 cup brown sugar (for added moisture and flavor)
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- 1 large egg
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- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
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- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
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- 1 teaspoon baking soda
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- 1/2 teaspoon salt
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- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional, for extra warmth)
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- 1/4 cup milk or buttermilk (for added moisture)
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- Optional mix-ins: 1/2 cup chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or dried fruit
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease your loaf pan with butter or non-stick spray, or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
Step 2: Mash the Bananas
- In a mixing bowl, peel and mash the 2 bananas with a fork or potato masher until smooth. You should have about 1 cup of mashed bananas.
Step 3: Mix Wet Ingredients
- Add the melted butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, egg, and vanilla extract to the mashed bananas. Whisk until well combined.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon (if using).
Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the bread dense.
- Stir in the milk or buttermilk to add moisture to the batter. If using mix-ins like chocolate chips or nuts, fold them in at this stage.
Step 6: Bake the Banana Bread
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
Step 7: Cool and Serve
- Let the banana bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.
- Slice and serve warm or at room temperature. Enjoy!
- Category: Bread
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American