Classic Banana Bread

Ingredients

• 3 very ripe bananas (about 1½ cups mashed)
• ⅓ cup (75 g) unsalted butter, melted and cooled
• ¾ cup (150 g) granulated sugar (or brown sugar for deeper flavour)
• 1 large egg, beaten
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 1 tsp baking soda
• Pinch of salt
• 1½ cups (190 g) all-purpose flour
• Optional: ½ cup (85 g) chocolate chips or chopped walnuts

Instructions

1. 1

   Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5 inch (23×13 cm) loaf pan or line with parchment.

2. 2

   Mash bananas in a large bowl until mostly smooth. A few small lumps are fine, even desirable.

3. 3

   Stir in melted butter, then sugar, beaten egg, and vanilla extract.

4. 4

   Sprinkle in baking soda and salt and stir briefly to combine.

5. 5

   Add flour and fold gently until just incorporated. Stop the moment you no longer see dry streaks; overmixing makes a tough loaf.

6. 6

   Fold in chocolate chips or walnuts if using.

7. 7

   Pour batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top.

8. 8

   Bake for 55–65 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the centre comes out clean. If the top browns too quickly, tent loosely with foil at the 40-minute mark.

9. 9

   Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely before slicing. Hot banana bread tears under a knife.