Easy and Delicious Banana Bread Recipe

Looking for a way to use up those overripe bananas? This recipe for banana bread is not only easy and delicious, but it also has a secret weapon for the most flavorful results!

The Secret? Baked Bananas!

The key to incredible banana bread is using bananas that are speckled with brown spots and super soft. But what if your bananas aren’t quite there yet? This recipe has a clever trick: simply bake your bananas at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 10-12 minutes before mashing them up! This baking step intensifies the banana flavor and allows you to use bananas that might otherwise go to waste.

Ready to Bake? Here’s What You’ll Need:

• Dry Ingredients:
  • 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour (around 215 grams)
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt (use ½ teaspoon for fine grain salt)
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon (feel free to add other spices like nutmeg!)
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
• Wet Ingredients:
  • 3 very ripe bananas, baked for 10-12 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit and mashed
  • ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Baking Up a Treat

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius). Grease a 9×13 inch loaf pan.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, cinnamon, and baking soda. Set aside.
3. Using an electric mixer, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
4. Gently fold the mashed bananas into the wet ingredients until just combined. Don’t worry if the batter looks a little broken or has some sugar granules!
5. Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and fold with a spatula until just incorporated. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to a tough banana bread.
6. Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan and bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
7. Let the banana bread cool in the pan for a bit before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.

Enjoy the Delicious Reward!

The smell of freshly baked banana bread is pure happiness! Slice up your masterpiece and enjoy it for breakfast, a snack, or even a delicious dessert. And remember, this recipe is not only easy but also very forgiving. Feel free to get creative and add your favorite mix-ins like chopped nuts, chocolate chips, or even dried fruit!

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