Description
This Best Easy Banana Bread Delight is a moist, flavorful homemade bread made with ripe bananas, buttery sweetness, and a hint of cinnamon. Perfectly soft with a tender crumb and studded with crunchy walnuts or melty chocolate chips, this banana bread is an ideal treat for breakfast, snack, or dessert.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 3-4 ripe bananas (about 2 cups mashed)
- 1/3 cup salted butter, melted
- 3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 cups (212g) all-purpose flour
Add-ins
- 1 cup chopped walnuts or chocolate chips, plus extra for topping if desired
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Pan: Preheat your oven to 350℉ (177℃). Lightly grease an 8.5x4.5-inch loaf pan and dust it with flour, or alternatively use a baking spray to prevent the bread from sticking.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, mash the ripe bananas thoroughly. Add the melted butter into the mashed bananas. Then mix in the sugar, beaten egg, and vanilla extract. Stir well with a large wooden spoon until the ingredients are fully combined.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Sprinkle the baking soda, baking powder, ground cinnamon, and salt evenly over the banana mixture. Stir gently to combine all the dry ingredients evenly with the wet mixture.
- Incorporate Flour and Add-ins: Add the all-purpose flour and chopped walnuts or chocolate chips (if using) to the bowl. Stir carefully just until the flour disappears and the batter is uniformly mixed. Avoid overmixing to keep the bread tender.
- Fill Pan and Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan, spreading it out evenly. If desired, sprinkle additional walnuts or chocolate chips on top for extra texture and presentation. Bake in the preheated oven for 50 to 60 minutes, or until a knife inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool and Serve: Once baked, remove the pan from the oven and let the bread cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then, carefully turn the loaf out onto a wire rack to cool completely. Slice into 10 thick pieces and serve as a delicious snack or dessert.
Notes
- Use very ripe bananas for the sweetest and most flavorful bread.
- You can substitute walnuts with chocolate chips or omit add-ins for a plain banana bread.
- Do not overmix once the flour is added to avoid a dense texture.
- Store leftover banana bread wrapped tightly at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze for longer storage.
- For a dairy-free option, substitute butter with a plant-based margarine or oil.
