Joy’s Easy Banana Bread Recipe

Ingredients:

  • 3 ripe bananas, mashed
  • 1/3 cup (75g) unsalted butter, melted
  • 3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg, beaten
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • Pinch of salt
  • 1 1/2 cups (180g) all-purpose flour

Optional add-ins:

  • 1/2 cup (60g) chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans)
  • 1/2 cup (90g) chocolate chips

Instructions:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5 inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, mash the ripe bananas with a fork until smooth.
  3. Stir in the melted butter until well combined.
  4. Add the granulated sugar, beaten egg, and vanilla extract to the banana mixture, and mix until smooth.
  5. Sprinkle the baking soda and salt over the banana mixture, and stir to combine.
  6. Gradually add the all-purpose flour to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
  7. If using, fold in the chopped nuts or chocolate chips until evenly distributed throughout the batter.
  8. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and spread it out evenly with a spatula.
  9. Bake in the preheated oven for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  10. Remove the banana bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
  11. Once cooled, slice the banana bread and serve. Enjoy it warm or at room temperature!
  12. This easy banana bread is moist, flavorful, and perfect for breakfast or as a snack any time of day. Feel free to customize it with your favorite add-ins for extra flavor and texture. Enjoy!

FAQs:

1. Can I use whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour in this recipe?

  • Yes, you can substitute whole wheat flour for all-purpose flour. However, the texture will be denser. You can also try using half whole wheat flour and half all-purpose flour for a lighter texture.

2. How ripe should the bananas be for this recipe?

  • The best bananas for banana bread are very ripe with brown spots. The riper the bananas, the sweeter and more flavorful your banana bread will be.

3. Can I add other ingredients to the banana bread, like fruits or spices?

  • Absolutely! Feel free to customize your banana bread by adding dried fruits, such as raisins or cranberries, or spices like nutmeg or ginger. Just ensure the total volume of add-ins doesn’t exceed about 1 cup to maintain the bread’s texture.

4. How should I store banana bread to keep it fresh?

  • Store banana bread at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3 days. For longer storage, you can refrigerate it for up to a week or freeze it for up to 3 months. Wrap the bread tightly in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil before freezing.

5. Can I make muffins with this banana bread recipe?

  • Yes, you can use this banana bread batter to make muffins. Simply divide the batter evenly among a lined or greased muffin tin and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

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