Ah, banana bread! There’s nothing quite like the warm, sweet aroma that fills my home while I’m cooking up a delicious loaf of this fruity treat. It’s the perfect way to bring family and friends together, and my secret recipe will have them coming back for seconds!
First and foremost, it’s important to choose the right bananas. The more golden and overripe, the better – after all, we want that wonderfully rich, natural sweetness to shine through. Plus, let’s face it, it’s an excellent excuse to put those brown bananas haunting your kitchen counter to good use!
Now, onto the baking! I start by preheating the oven – a toasty 350°F should do the trick. And while that’s heating up, I mix the dry ingredients – flour, sugar, baking powder, and a pinch of salt. Nothing fancy, just the basics to create that perfect fluffy texture.
In another bowl, time to get up close and personal with those mushy bananas – mash ’em up until they’re all nice and creamy! Then, I crack in the eggs, toss in some melted butter, and add a dash of vanilla extract. No scrimping here, I use the good-quality stuff, ya know? This heavenly mixture is begging to be combined with the dry ingredients.
Once it’s all mixed in well and there are no lumps left, I pour the batter into a greased loaf pan, smoothing the top with a spatula. Into the oven it goes, and now we wait – approximately an hour of pure anticipation!
Oh, but I can’t resist peeking in now and then, watching as my banana bread transforms into a scrumptiously golden masterpiece. And finally, when a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean, it’s time to retrieve my handiwork from the oven.
I admit, it’s a struggle waiting for it to cool, so I always sneak a nibble as soon it’s manageable – burnt fingers can’t deter me! As I slice up this warm, tender, and moist banana bread, I’m ready to share it with the world – well, at least with family and friends.
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan.
Gather ingredients:
- 2-3 ripe bananas (brown spots are good!)
- 1/3 cup melted butter
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- Pinch of salt
- 3/4 cup sugar (adjust to taste)
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
In a mixing bowl, mash the ripe bananas with a fork until smooth and creamy.
Stir in the melted butter until well combined.
Add the baking soda and salt to the mixture, stirring thoroughly.
Mix in the sugar, beaten egg, and vanilla extract.
Gradually add the flour, stirring until just incorporated—avoid overmixing.
Pour the batter into the greased loaf pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
Bake in the preheated oven for 60-65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Remove from the oven and let the banana bread cool in the pan for about 10 minutes.
Transfer the loaf to a wire rack to cool completely, or if you can’t resist, slice and enjoy while still warm.
That was fresh!
