Delicious Classic Banana Bread
This classic banana bread is perfectly sweet and moist, rich with banana flavor! Add walnuts or chocolate chips for extra texture. Ideal for breakfast or dessert.
Recipe Details
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Servings: 1 loaf
Full Ingredient List
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 2 cups mashed banana
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
Banana Bread Base
Tools and Equipment
- 9x5 loaf pan
- Nonstick cooking spray
- Parchment paper
- Mixing bowls
- Stand mixer with paddle attachment or electric mixer
- Wire rack
Ingredients
| Quantity | Name | Preparation Notes | Substitutions |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 cups | All-purpose flour | spooned & leveled | |
| 1 teaspoon | Baking powder | ||
| 1/2 teaspoon | Baking soda | ||
| 1/2 teaspoon | Ground cinnamon | ||
| 1/2 teaspoon | Salt | ||
| 1/2 cup | Unsalted butter | softened | salted butter, reducing salt in the recipe to 1/4 teaspoon |
| 1/2 cup | Granulated sugar | ||
| 1/4 cup | Light brown sugar | packed | |
| 2 large | Eggs | at room temperature | |
| 2 teaspoons | Pure vanilla extract | ||
| 2 cups | Mashed banana | ||
| 1/2 cup | Chopped walnuts | optional |
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C). Spray a 9x5 loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray and line with parchment paper. (Tips: Parchment paper helps with easy removal of the baked bread.)
- Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. (Tips: Ensure even distribution of leavening agents.)
- Step 3: In the bowl of a stand mixer or large mixing bowl, cream the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar for 4-5 minutes until light and fluffy. (Tips: Incorporating air at this stage leads to a lighter bread.)
- Step 4: Mix in eggs one at a time, followed by vanilla extract. Scrape down the sides of the bowl, then add mashed banana and mix until combined. (Tips: Room temperature eggs blend more smoothly.)
- Step 5: Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until just combined. Do not overmix. (Tips: Overmixing can lead to dense bread.)
- Step 6: Fold in chopped walnuts, if using. (Tips: Skip this step if not adding nuts.)
- Step 7: Scoop batter into the prepared loaf pan and spread evenly. Bake in preheated oven for 55-65 minutes, until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. (Tips: Cover with foil if browning too quickly.)
- Step 8: Allow the bread to cool in the pan for 20 minutes, then remove and place on a wire rack to cool completely. (Tips: Complete cooling on a wire rack prevents sogginess.)
Additional Information
Notes: Store banana bread in an airtight container for 3-4 days at room temperature or refrigerate for up to 5 days. Freeze whole or sliced for up to 3 months. For salted butter, use 1/4 teaspoon salt.