Description
Classic banana bread celebrates comfort and nostalgia with ripe bananas, warm spices, and a moist crumb. Home bakers can easily master this timeless treat that brings memories of grandma’s kitchen and weekend morning pleasures.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 large ripe bananas, mashed
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- ½ cup (118 ml/4 fl oz) melted unsalted butter, cooled
- 1 ¾ cups (220 g/7.8 oz) all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (100 g/3.5 oz) walnuts or pecans, roughly chopped
- ¾ cup (150 g/5.3 oz) granulated sugar
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and meticulously grease a 9x5x3-inch loaf pan with butter, then dust with flour to prevent adhesion.
- Nut Toasting: Spread chopped walnuts or pecans on a baking sheet, roast for 7-10 minutes until aromatic, then cool completely while maintaining oven temperature.
- Dry Ingredient Fusion: Whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon in a medium bowl until perfectly integrated.
- Wet Ingredient Amalgamation: Thoroughly mash ripe bananas, blend with eggs, melted butter, and vanilla extract in a large bowl until harmoniously combined.
- Batter Creation: Gently fold dry ingredients into banana mixture using a rubber spatula, mixing until flour streaks vanish, ensuring a delicate bread texture.
- Nut Integration: Incorporate cooled, toasted nuts evenly throughout the batter, creating a rustic, chunky consistency.
- Baking Process: Pour batter into prepared pan, smoothing the surface for uniform baking, and place in preheated oven for 55-60 minutes.
- Doneness Check: Verify bread is fully baked by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should emerge with minimal moist crumbs.
- Cooling and Serving: Allow bread to rest in pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack, letting it cool completely before slicing to preserve moisture and structure.
Notes
- Select Ripe Bananas: Use overripe bananas with dark brown or black spots for maximum sweetness and deeper banana flavor, ensuring a moist and rich bread.
- Prevent Tough Texture: Mix batter minimally when combining dry and wet ingredients to avoid developing gluten, which can result in a dense, chewy bread.
- Customize Nut Toasting: Toast nuts carefully to enhance their flavor and prevent burning; watch closely and stir occasionally for even golden-brown coloration.
- Check Moisture Levels: A few moist crumbs on the toothpick indicate perfect doneness, preventing overbaking and maintaining the bread’s soft, tender interior.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 20 g
- Sodium: 200 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg