Simple Banana Bread Loaf (Printable)

Moist banana loaf with a tender crumb and rich flavor, perfect for a quick, satisfying snack.

# What you need:

→ Produce

01 - 3 ripe bananas, mashed (about 1 1/4 cups)

→ Dairy

02 - 1/2 cup (4 tablespoons) unsalted butter, melted
03 - 1/4 cup milk (dairy or plant-based)

→ Pantry

04 - 1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
05 - 3/4 cup granulated sugar
06 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
07 - 1 teaspoon baking soda
08 - 1/2 teaspoon salt

→ Eggs

09 - 2 large eggs, at room temperature

→ Optional Add-ins

10 - 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
11 - 1/2 cup chocolate chips

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and line a 9x5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper.
02 - Whisk melted butter and sugar together until smooth in a large bowl.
03 - Beat in eggs one at a time, then mix in mashed bananas, milk, and vanilla extract.
04 - In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, and salt until evenly combined.
05 - Gently fold dry ingredients into wet mixture until just combined, avoiding overmixing.
06 - Fold in nuts or chocolate chips if desired.
07 - Pour batter into prepared pan and smooth the surface evenly.
08 - Bake for 50 to 60 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
09 - Allow to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.

# Expert tips:

01 -
  • Moist and tender crumb
  • Rich banana flavor
02 -
  • For extra banana flavor, use very ripe bananas with lots of brown spots.
  • Add a sprinkle of cinnamon or a handful of dried fruit for variation.
03 -
  • Do not overmix the batter to keep the bread tender.
  • Use ripe bananas for the best flavor.
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