Classic Banana Bread (Print Version)
# Ingredients:
→ For the Banana Bread
01 -
2 cups all-purpose flour
02 -
1 teaspoon baking soda
03 -
1/2 teaspoon salt
04 -
3 to 4 ripe bananas, mashed (about 1 1/4 cups)
05 -
3/4 cup granulated sugar
06 -
2 large eggs
07 -
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled
08 -
1/3 cup sour cream (or plain Greek yogurt)
09 -
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
# Instructions:
01 -
Heat your oven to 350 degrees. Spray an 8 1/2 x 4 1/2 inch loaf pan with non-stick cooking spray, or grease and flour it. You can also butter the pan and sprinkle it with sugar or a mix of sugar and cinnamon. Set it aside.
02 -
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set this aside.
03 -
In a large bowl, mash the bananas using a potato masher, fork, or mixer. It's fine if there are some small chunks left - it doesn't need to be completely smooth.
04 -
Whisk the sugar, eggs, melted butter, sour cream, and vanilla extract into the mashed bananas until everything is well combined.
05 -
Add the flour mixture to the banana mixture and gently stir just until combined. Don't overmix - a few lumps are okay. Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan and use a spatula to smooth the top.
06 -
Bake for 50 to 60 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs. If the top starts to brown too much, cover it loosely with foil for the last 10 minutes.
07 -
Let the bread cool in the pan on a wire rack for 15 to 20 minutes. Then carefully turn the pan over to remove the bread and let it continue cooling on the rack for at least another hour before slicing. This helps it set up properly and makes slicing easier.
# Notes:
01 -
The riper your bananas, the sweeter and more flavorful your bread will be. Look for bananas with lots of brown spots.
02 -
You can use a combination of brown sugar and granulated sugar for a deeper, more caramel-like flavor.
03 -
Store wrapped at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the fridge for up to a week.
04 -
To save time, you can skip whisking the dry ingredients separately and just add them directly in step 5.