Sweet Treat: Baking a Perfect Loaf of Banana Bread Recipe

Sweet Treat: Baking a Perfect Loaf of Banana Bread

Banana bread is a beloved treat, perfect for breakfast, a midday snack, or even dessert. It’s also a great way to use up those overripe bananas sitting on your counter. This recipe is a basic guide to get you started, but feel free to get creative with add-ins!

Ingredients:

• 2-3 very ripe bananas (about 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 cups mashed)
• 1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 pinch salt
• 3/4 cup sugar (granulated or brown)
• 1 large egg, beaten
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease an 8×4 inch loaf pan.
2. In a large bowl, mash the bananas until smooth. Stir in the melted butter.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the baking soda, salt, and sugar.
4. Add the wet ingredients (banana mixture) to the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Don’t overmix!
5. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract.
6. Gradually add the flour, mixing until there are no streaks of flour remaining.
7. Pour batter into your prepared loaf pan.
8. Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
9. Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.

Tips:

• For an extra moist banana bread, use brown sugar instead of granulated sugar.
• Add chopped nuts, chocolate chips, or dried fruit to the batter for extra flavor and texture.
• If your bananas are very brown and mushy, you may need to reduce the amount of sugar in the recipe.
• Want to check the doneness without a toothpick? A gentle press on the center of the loaf should spring back if it’s done.

Enjoy your delicious homemade banana bread!