Banana bread is one of those timeless classics that never goes out of style.
Whether you’re looking to use up those overripe bananas sitting on your counter or craving a comforting, delicious treat, this banana bread recipe delivers a moist, flavorful loaf every time.
It’s easy to prepare, requires basic ingredients you likely already have in your pantry, and fills your home with the most wonderful aroma. Let’s get started!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This banana bread is incredibly soft, thanks to the addition of overripe bananas.
The sweetness of the bananas blends beautifully with the rich flavors of brown sugar and butter. It’s not overly sweet, making it perfect for breakfast, an afternoon snack, or even a light dessert.
Whether you’re an experienced baker or a beginner, this recipe is simple to follow, and the result is foolproof.
Key Ingredients You’ll Need
Before we dive into the steps, let’s take a closer look at the ingredients that make this banana bread special:
- All-Purpose Flour (2 cups): This provides the structure for the bread. Be sure to measure your flour correctly by spooning it into your measuring cup and leveling it off for the best texture.
- Baking Soda (1 teaspoon): This helps the bread rise, ensuring it doesn’t turn out dense.
- Salt (¼ teaspoon): A small but important addition, salt enhances the flavors of the other ingredients, balancing the sweetness.
- Brown Sugar (¾ cup): Brown sugar gives the banana bread a deeper, more complex sweetness compared to white sugar. The molasses in brown sugar also helps with moisture, resulting in a soft and tender crumb.
- Butter (½ cup): Butter adds richness and flavor. Make sure it’s softened to room temperature so it blends smoothly with the sugar.
- Eggs (2 large, beaten): Eggs provide structure and help bind the ingredients together.
- Mashed Overripe Bananas (2 ⅓ cups): The star of the show! Overripe bananas are sweeter and have a stronger flavor, which is essential for a delicious banana bread. The blacker the peel, the better!
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Preheat the Oven
First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures your banana bread bakes evenly from the start. Lightly grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan with butter or non-stick spray, then set it aside.
2. Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, combine the 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon of baking soda, and ¼ teaspoon of salt. Whisk these together to make sure the baking soda and salt are evenly distributed throughout the flour. This step is crucial for a consistent rise and flavor throughout the bread.
3. Cream the Butter and Sugar
In a separate large bowl, beat ¾ cup of brown sugar and ½ cup of softened butter together using an electric mixer. Mix on medium speed until the mixture becomes smooth, light, and creamy. This process helps incorporate air into the butter and sugar, contributing to the soft texture of the bread.
4. Add the Wet Ingredients
Once the butter and sugar are well blended, add the beaten eggs and mashed overripe bananas. Stir the mixture gently until everything is well combined. Don’t worry if the banana mixture looks a little lumpy – that’s normal and part of what gives banana bread its texture and moistness.
Tip: For best results, mash the bananas until they’re mostly smooth, but leave a few small chunks for extra flavor bursts in the final loaf.
5. Combine the Wet and Dry Ingredients
Now comes the key step: gently fold the banana mixture into the flour mixture. Use a wooden spoon or spatula and mix just until the flour disappears. Be careful not to overmix! Overmixing can result in a tough banana bread due to the development of too much gluten.
6. Pour the Batter into the Loaf Pan
Once the batter is ready, pour it into your prepared loaf pan. Use a spatula to spread the batter evenly, making sure it reaches all the corners.
7. Bake the Bread
Place the loaf pan in the preheated oven and bake for about 60 minutes. To check for doneness, insert a toothpick or cake tester into the center of the loaf. If it comes out clean or with just a few crumbs, the bread is ready. If not, give it another 5 minutes and check again.
Pro Tip: Every oven is different, so your banana bread may need a little more or less time than the suggested 60 minutes. Keep an eye on it after the 50-minute mark to ensure you don’t overbake.
8. Cool and Enjoy
Once your banana bread is done, remove it from the oven and allow it to cool in the pan for 10 minutes. This gives the bread time to firm up slightly, making it easier to remove from the pan without breaking. After 10 minutes, carefully turn the bread out onto a wire rack and allow it to cool completely before slicing.
If you can’t wait, go ahead and slice off a warm piece – it’s heavenly with a little butter or cream cheese spread!
Banana Bread Tips and Variations
- Make It Your Own: This banana bread recipe is delicious as-is, but there are countless ways to customize it! Add ½ cup of chopped walnuts or pecans for a bit of crunch, or fold in ½ cup of chocolate chips for extra indulgence.
- Spice It Up: A dash of cinnamon or nutmeg can add warmth and complexity to the flavor. Start with ½ teaspoon of ground cinnamon or ¼ teaspoon of nutmeg if you’d like to experiment.
- Storing Your Banana Bread: Keep any leftover banana bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. For longer storage, wrap the bread tightly in plastic wrap or foil and freeze it for up to 3 months. Simply thaw at room temperature or warm it up in the microwave when you’re ready to enjoy it again.
- Overripe Bananas Are Key: The riper the bananas, the better the flavor! Bananas that are mostly black or spotted with brown will give you the best sweetness and moisture. If your bananas aren’t quite ripe yet, try putting them in a 300°F oven for about 15-20 minutes to soften them up quickly.
Conclusion
This classic banana bread recipe is everything you want in a homemade loaf: soft, flavorful, and incredibly easy to make.
Whether you’re baking for your family, friends, or just yourself, this banana bread will quickly become your go-to recipe.
The simple ingredients come together perfectly, and the result is a moist, tender bread with a deep banana flavor that everyone loves.
Take a slice, add your favorite spread, or enjoy it plain – either way, you’re in for a treat!