Banana Bread Recipe

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:

1. Preheat the Oven:
   • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper.
2. Prepare the Bananas:
   • In a large mixing bowl, mash the ripe bananas with a fork until smooth.
3. Mix Wet Ingredients:
   • Stir the melted butter into the mashed bananas.
   • Add the sugar, beaten egg, and vanilla extract, and mix until well combined.
4. 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.
5. Add Optional Mix-ins:
   • If you’re adding nuts or chocolate chips, gently fold them into the batter.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. 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!