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Banana Bread Recipe

Banana Bread Recipe

This foolproof banana bread recipe creates a moist, tender loaf in just 75 minutes. Perfect for using overripe bananas, this recipe yields 12 slices of classic comfort food. Each slice contains 165 calories and can be customized with chocolate chips or nuts. Total cost: $5-7 per loaf. Keeps fresh for up to 4 days at room temperature or 3 months frozen.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 55 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 12 slices
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Calories: 165
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 3 medium ripe bananas about 1½ cups mashed
  • ⅓ cup melted butter
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • Optional: 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • Optional: ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans

Equipment

  • 9x5-inch loaf pan
  • Parchment paper
  • Large mixing bowl
  • Medium mixing bowl
  • Measuring cups (dry)
  • Liquid measuring cup
  • Measuring spoons
  • Wooden spoon or spatula
  • Whisk
  • Potato masher or fork (for bananas)
  • Wire cooling rack
  • Toothpicks (for testing)

Method
 

Preparation (15 minutes)
  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C)
  2. Grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan with butter or cooking spray
  3. Line with parchment paper, leaving overhang for easy removal
  4. Gather all ingredients and bring to room temperature
Mixing (10 minutes)
  1. Mash bananas in a large bowl until smooth
  2. Whisk in melted butter until combined
  3. Mix in sugar, egg, and vanilla until well blended
  4. In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, and salt
  5. Fold dry ingredients into wet mixture until just combined
  6. If using, gently stir in chocolate chips and/or nuts
Baking (55-60 minutes)
  1. Pour batter into prepared pan
  2. Smooth top with spatula
  3. Bake at 350°F for 55-60 minutes
  4. Test with toothpick at 50 minutes
  5. Cool in pan for 10 minutes
  6. Remove and cool completely on wire rack

Notes

  • Banana Ripeness: Use very ripe, heavily speckled bananas
  • Mixing: Don't overmix - stop when ingredients are just combined
  • Temperature: All ingredients should be at room temperature
  • Pan Size: Recipe specifically designed for 9x5-inch pan
  • Altitude Adjustments:
    • 3,000-5,000 ft: Add 2 tablespoon flour
    • 5,000-7,000 ft: Add 3 tablespoon flour
  • Doneness Test: Toothpick should come out clean or with few crumbs