Ingredients
Scale
- 3 ripe bananas, mashed (the riper, the better!)
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup granulated sugar (you can substitute with brown sugar for a richer flavor)
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (for a healthier twist, try whole wheat flour)
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional but adds a lovely warmth)
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional, for a delightful crunch)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- In a large mixing bowl, mash the ripe bananas with a fork until smooth but still slightly chunky. Mama Lou always said, “Bananas are like stories—keep some texture for character.”
- Add the melted butter to the bananas and stir until combined.
- Mix in the sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract. Whisk everything gently but thoroughly. I remember Ouma’s enthusiastic whisking always bringing a bit of extra airiness to the batter!
- In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. This step ensures even distribution and a tender crumb.
- Slowly fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture with a spatula. Be careful not to overmix; a few lumps are perfectly fine and keep the bread moist.
- If you’re adding nuts, gently fold them in now. Mama Lou loved walnuts because they gave a delightful surprise crunch in every bite.
- Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
- Bake for 60-70 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Around the 50-minute mark, I like to tent the bread loosely with foil to prevent over-browning, a little trick Mama Lou shared with me.
- Once baked, let the banana bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Then, transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely. Waiting is the hardest part—Ouma and I used to sneak peeks and nudge each other to be patient!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: International
