Best Ever Banana Bread (Print Version)

Moist, tender bread bursting with rich banana flavor and warm spices. Perfect for breakfast or dessert.

# What You'll Need:

→ Wet Ingredients

01 - 3 large ripe bananas, mashed (about 1 1/4 cups)
02 - 2 large eggs
03 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled
04 - 1/2 cup plain yogurt or sour cream
05 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

→ Dry Ingredients

06 - 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
07 - 3/4 cup granulated sugar
08 - 1/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
09 - 1 teaspoon baking soda
10 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
11 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
12 - 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

→ Optional Add-ins

13 - 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
14 - 1/2 cup chocolate chips

# How-To Steps:

01 - Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease and flour a 9x5 inch loaf pan or line with parchment paper.
02 - In a large bowl, whisk together mashed bananas, eggs, melted butter, yogurt or sour cream, and vanilla extract until smooth.
03 - In a separate bowl, whisk flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
04 - Add dry ingredients to the wet mixture and gently fold together until just combined. Do not overmix.
05 - Fold in nuts or chocolate chips, if using.
06 - Pour batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top.
07 - Bake for 50 to 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
08 - Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The texture is incredibly moist without being dense or heavy like some quick breads can get
  • You can throw in whatever mix-ins you have on hand and it still turns out perfectly every time
02 -
  • Overmixing the batter will make your bread tough and dense, so stop mixing as soon as the flour disappears
  • Every oven is different, so start checking at 50 minutes rather than assuming the full 60 minutes is needed
03 -
  • Place a sheet of foil over the top if the bread is browning too quickly while still needing time in the center
  • Use the back of a fork to mash your bananas against the side of the bowl for the smoothest incorporation

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