Description

This Best Banana Bread recipe is super moist and packed with sweet ripe bananas, cinnamon, and your choice of nuts or chocolate chips. It’s a classic homemade treat perfect for breakfast, snack, or dessert, featuring a tender crumb and balanced sweetness. With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, you can bake a delicious loaf that’s sure to please everyone.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour (spooned & levelled)
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients

1/2 cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
2 large eggs (room temperature)
1/3 cup sour cream or plain yogurt (room temperature)
2 cups mashed bananas (about 4 large ripe bananas)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Add-ins

3/4 cup chopped pecans, walnuts, or chocolate chips (optional)

Instructions

Prepare the Oven and Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and position the rack in the lower middle of the oven. Grease an 8×5 inch loaf pan thoroughly with butter or oil to prevent sticking.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, and ground cinnamon until evenly combined. Set this mixture aside.
Cream Butter and Sugar: Using a hand mixer or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the room-temperature unsalted butter and brown sugar on medium-high speed until the mixture turns pale and creamy, approximately 2 minutes. This step helps incorporate air for a fluffy texture.
Add Eggs and Wet Ingredients: Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next. Then mix in the sour cream or plain yogurt, mashed bananas, and vanilla extract. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as necessary for even mixing.
Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients while mixing on low speed. Mix just until combined to avoid overmixing, which can toughen the bread. If you’re using nuts or chocolate chips, gently fold them into the batter at this stage.
Bake the Bread: Pour the batter evenly into the prepared loaf pan. Bake in the preheated oven for 55 to 65 minutes. To test doneness, insert a toothpick into the center; it should come out clean or with a few dry crumbs but no wet batter. If the bread top browns too quickly before fully baking, tent the loaf with foil to prevent burning.
Cool and Serve: Remove the loaf from the oven and allow it to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack for about 30 minutes. After cooling, slice the banana bread and serve. Enjoy warm or at room temperature.

Notes

Use very ripe bananas for the best flavor and moisture.
Sour cream or yogurt adds moisture and tanginess; do not skip.
You can customize with your choice of nuts or chocolate chips for texture and flavor variation.
Make sure not to overmix the batter once the flour is added to keep the bread tender.
To store, wrap the banana bread tightly in plastic wrap or keep in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 5 days.
Freeze slices for longer storage and thaw before serving.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 55-65 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: banana bread, moist banana bread, homemade banana bread, easy banana bread, banana bread with nuts, banana dessert