Description
Banana bread is a modern classic that transcends food fads and diets. This recipe has been developed over the course of 20 years and creates a loaf that is deliciously moist and flavorful, with the perfect amount of sweetness.
Ingredients
2 large eggs
2 cups (240 g) all-purpose flour
1½ cups (300 g) brown sugar
½ stick (4 tablespoons / 60 g) unsalted butter, melted
1 dash (1/16 teaspoon) salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
Seeds scraped from ? vanilla bean pod
4 teaspoons milk
1 tablespoon honey
2 large ripe bananas, mashed
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat Oven
- Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C).
- Butter and lightly flour a 4×8-inch loaf pan, or line with parchment paper for easy removal.
Step 2: Mix Wet Ingredients
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together eggs and brown sugar until smooth and creamy.
- Slowly pour in the melted butter and whisk to combine thoroughly.
Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients
- Gradually add the flour into the egg-sugar mixture, stirring gently.
- Add baking powder, baking soda, salt, and vanilla seeds.
- Stir to evenly distribute all ingredients.
Step 4: Add Bananas and Remaining Ingredients
- Mix milk and honey into the batter until fully combined.
- Fold in mashed bananas gently, until just incorporated. Do not overmix.
Step 5: Bake
- Pour batter evenly into the prepared loaf pan.
- Bake for approximately 55–60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and the top is golden brown.
Step 6: Cool and Serve
- Let banana bread cool in the pan for about 15 minutes.
- Remove carefully and let cool completely on a wire rack for another 15 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Ripe Bananas: Use very ripe bananas with lots of brown spots for best flavor and natural sweetness.
- Vanilla Alternative: If vanilla pods are unavailable, substitute with 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract.
- Avoid Overmixing: Overmixing can lead to dense bread; mix ingredients just until combined.
- Cover: I like to use 2 paper or tinfoil baking sheets for my loaf pan. It prevents the sides and bottom of the loaf from burning. I also start off by covering the whole mixture with the foil for the first half an hour in the oven.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Baking
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 315
- Sugar: 26g
- Sodium: 245mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 58g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 60mg