Step 1
Simple Ingredients for Extraordinary Flavor Gather the essential ingredients for this delightful recipe: ripe bananas, butter, sugar, eggs, flour, baking soda, salt, and vanilla extract.
Step 2
Mash the Bananas Begin by mashing the ripe bananas until they resemble chunky applesauce. The sweetness of the bananas is the key to this recipe's irresistible flavor.
Step 3
Cream Together Butter and Sugar In a separate bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. This process incorporates air into the batter, resulting in moist and tender banana bread.
Step 4
Add Eggs and Vanilla Extract Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Then, stir in the vanilla extract for a touch of sweetness and depth of flavor.
Step 5
Combine Dry Ingredients In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. These dry ingredients provide the structure and rise for the banana bread.
Step 6
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, gently folding them in until just combined. Avoid overmixing, as this can lead to a dense and chewy banana bread.
Step 7
Fold in Optional Mix-In If desired, fold in your favorite mix-ins, such as chopped nuts, chocolate chips, or dried cranberries. These additions add texture, flavor, and visual appeal to the banana bread.
Step 8
Pour Batter into Loaf Pan Pour the batter evenly into a greased 9x5-inch loaf pan. Ensure the batter is evenly distributed for a uniform bake.
Step 9
Bake and Enjoy Bake the banana bread for 55-65 minutes at 350°F or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the bread to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely .