Here’s a classic banana bread recipe that’s moist, flavorful, and easy to make:
Ingredients:
- 3 ripe bananas (mashed)
- 1/3 cup melted butter (unsalted)
- 3/4 cup sugar (granulated or brown sugar)
- 1 large egg (beaten)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- Pinch of salt
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- Optional Mix-ins: 1/2 cup chopped walnuts, pecans, or chocolate chips
Instructions:
- Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper.
- Prepare the Bananas:
- In a large mixing bowl, mash the ripe bananas with a fork until smooth.
- Mix Wet Ingredients:
- Stir the melted butter into the mashed bananas.
- Add the sugar, beaten egg, and vanilla extract, and mix until well combined.
- Add Dry Ingredients:
- Sprinkle the baking soda and salt over the banana mixture and stir to combine.
- Add the flour and mix until just incorporated. Be careful not to overmix.
- Add Optional Mix-ins:
- If you’re adding nuts or chocolate chips, gently fold them into the batter.
- Bake:
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 55-65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the bread comes out clean.
- Cool:
- Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes.
- Transfer the bread to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.
- Serve:
- Slice and enjoy! Banana bread is delicious on its own, but you can also spread butter, cream cheese, or even peanut butter on a slice.
Variations:
- Banana Nut Bread: Add 1/2 cup of chopped walnuts or pecans to the batter.
- Chocolate Chip Banana Bread: Stir in 1/2 cup of chocolate chips for a sweet twist.
- Banana Muffins: Pour the batter into a muffin tin and bake for 20-25 minutes.
This banana bread recipe is perfect for using up overripe bananas and makes a comforting treat for breakfast, a snack, or dessert while camping at Camp Lakewood Campground!