Moist Tender Banana Bread with Options (Printable)

A moist, tender banana bread with customizable add-ins of chocolate chips or nuts, ideal for breakfast or snacks.

# What you need:

→ Dry Ingredients

01 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 teaspoon baking soda
03 - 1/2 teaspoon salt

→ Wet Ingredients

04 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
05 - 3/4 cup granulated sugar
06 - 2 large eggs
07 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

→ Fruit

08 - 3 ripe bananas, mashed (about 1 1/4 cups)

→ Optional Add-Ins

09 - 3/4 cup chocolate chips
10 - 3/4 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour a 9x5-inch loaf pan or line with parchment paper.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
03 - In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.
04 - Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla extract.
05 - Mix in the mashed bananas until well combined.
06 - Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing gently until just combined.
07 - Fold in chocolate chips or nuts, if using.
08 - Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top.
09 - Bake for 55-65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
10 - Let cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.

# Expert tips:

01 -
  • Incredibly Moist: Ripe bananas and softened butter ensure a tender crumb.
  • Customizable: Easily adapt the recipe with chocolate chips, nuts, or both.
  • Simple Ingredients: Uses pantry staples you likely already have on hand.
  • Family Favorite: A vegetarian-friendly loaf that everyone will enjoy.
02 -
  • Use brown sugar instead of white sugar for a richer, deeper flavor.
  • For dairy-free diets, use coconut oil or plant-based butter as a substitute.
  • A combination of nuts and chocolate chips provides the best textural variety.
  • Let the bread cool completely on a wire rack to ensure clean slices.
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